Char.Is he yet married?
Cont.No, signior, still a bachelor; howe'erIt is apparent that the choicest virginFor beauty, bravery, and wealth, in Florence,Would, with her parents' glad consent, be won,Were his affection and intent but knownTo be at his devotion.
Char.So I think too.But break we off—here comes my princely charge.
EnterGiovanniandCalandrino.
Make your approaches boldly; you will findA courteous entertainment.[Cont.kneels.
Giov.Pray you, forbearMy hand, good signior; 'tis a ceremonyNot due to me. 'Tis fit we should embraceWith mutual arms.
Cont.It is a favour, sir,I grieve to be denied.
Giov.You shall o'ercome:But 'tis your pleasure, not my pride, that grants it.Nay, pray you, guardian, and good sir, put on:How ill it shows to have that reverend headUncover'd to a boy!
Char.Your excellenceMust give me liberty to observe the distanceAnd duty that I owe you.
Giov.Owe me duty!I do profess (and when I do deny it,Good fortune leave me!) you have been to meA second father, and may justly challenge,For training up my youth in arts and arms,As much respect and service as was dueTo him that gave me life. And did you know, sir,Or will believe from me, how many sleepsGood Charomonte hath broken, in his careTo build me up a man, you must confessChiron, the tutor to the great Achilles,Compared with him, deserves not to be named.And if my gracious uncle, the great duke,Still holds me worthy his consideration,Or finds in me aught worthy to be loved,That little rivulet flow'd from this spring;And so from me report him.
Cont.Fame alreadyHath fill'd his highness' ears with the true storyOf what you are, and how much better'd by him;And 'tis his purpose to reward the travailOf this grave sir with a magnificent hand:For though his tenderness hardly could consentTo have you one hour absent from his sight,For full three years he did deny himselfThe pleasure he took in you, that you, here,From this great master, might arrive untoThe theory of those high mysteriesWhich you, by action, must make plain in court.'Tis, therefore, his request, (and that, from him,Your excellence must grant a strict command,)That instantly (it being not five hours' riding)You should take horse and visit him. These his lettersWill yield you further reasons. [Delivers a packet.
Cal.To the court!Farewell the flower, then, of the country's garland.This is our sun, and when he's set we must notExpect or spring or summer, but resolveFor a perpetual winter.
Char.Pray you, observe[Giovannireading the letters.The frequent changes in his face.
Cont.As ifHis much unwillingness to leave your houseContended with his duty.
Char.Now he appearsCollected and resolved.
Giov.It is the duke!The duke, upon whose favour all my hopesAnd fortunes do depend; nor must I checkAt his commands for any private motivesThat do invite my stay here, though they areAlmost not to be master'd. My obedience,In my departing suddenly, shall confirmI am his highness' creature; yet I hopeA little stay to take a solemn farewellOf all those ravishing pleasures I have tastedIn this my sweet retirement, from my guardianAnd his incomparable daughter, cannot meetAn ill construction.
Cont.I will answer that:Use your own will.
Giov.I would speak to you, sir,In such a phrase as might express the thanksMy heart would gladly pay; but——
Char.I conceive you:And something I would say; but I must do itIn that dumb rhetoric which you make use of;For I do wish you all——I know not how,My toughness melts, and, spite of my discretion,I must turn woman.[EmbracesGiovanni.
Cont.What a sympathyThere is between them!
Cal.Were I on the rack,I could not shed a tear. But I am mad,And, ten to one, shall hang myself for sorrowBefore I shift my shirt. But hear you, sir,(I'll separate you), when you are gone, what willBecome of me?
Giov.Why, thou shalt to court with me.[TakesChar.aside.
Cal.To see you worried?
Cont.Worried, Calandrino!
Cal.Yes, sir: for, bring this sweet face to the court,There will be such a longing 'mong the madams,Who shall engross it first, nay, fight and scratch for 't,That, if they be not stopp'd——So much for him.There's something else that troubles me.
Cont.What's that?
Cal.Why, how to behave myself in court, and tightly.I have been told the very place transforms men,And that not one of a thousand, that beforeLived honestly in the country on plain salads,But bring him thither, mark me that, and feed himBut a month or two with custards and court cake-bread,And he turns knave immediately.—I'd be honest;But I must follow the fashion, or die a beggar.
Giov.And, if I ever reach my hopes, believe it,We will share fortunes.
Char.This acknowledgment
EnterLidia.
Binds me your debtor ever.—Here comes oneIn whose sad looks you easily may readWhat her heart suffers, in that she is forcedTo take her last leave of you.
Cont.As I live,A beauty without parallel!
Lid.Must you go, then,So suddenly?
Giov.There's no evasion, Lidia,To gain the least delay, though I would buy itAt any rate. Greatness, with private menEsteem'd a blessing, is to me a curse;And we, whom, for our high births, they concludeThe only freemen, are the only slaves.Happy the golden mean! Had I been bornIn a poor sordid cottage, not nursed upWith expectation to command a court,I might, like such of your condition, sweetest,Have ta'en a safe and middle course, and not,As I am now, against my choice, compell'dOr to lie groveling on the earth, or raisedSo high upon the pinnacles of state,That I must either keep my height with danger,Or fall with certain ruin.
Lid.Your own goodnessWill be your faithful guard.
Giov.O, Lidia!——
Cont.So passionate[62]![Aside.
Giov.For, had I been your equal,I might have seen and liked with mine own eyes,And not, as now, with others'; I might still,And without observation or envy,As I have done, continued my delightsWith you, that are alone, in my esteem,The abstract of society: we might walkIn solitary groves, or in choice gardens;From the variety of curious flowersContemplate nature's workmanship and wonders:And then, for change, near to the murmur ofSome bubbling fountain, I might hear you sing,And, from the well-tuned accents of your tongue,In my imagination conceiveWith what melodious harmony a quireOf angels sing above their Maker's praises:And then with chaste discourse, as we return'd,Imp[63]feathers to the broken wings of time:—And all this I must part from.
Cont.You forgetThe haste imposed upon us.
Giov.One word more,And then I come. And after this, when, withContinued innocence of love and service,I had grown ripe for hymeneal joys,Embracing you, but with a lawful flame,I might have been your husband.
Lid.Sir, I was,And ever am, your servant; but it was,And 'tis, far from me in a thought to cherishSuch saucy hopes. If I had been the heirOf all the globes and sceptres mankind bows to,At my best you had deserved me; as I am,Howe'er unworthy, in my virgin zealI wish you, as a partner of your bed,A princess equal to you; such a oneThat may make it the study of her life,With all the obedience of a wife, to please you.May you have happy issue, and I liveTo be their humblest handmaid!
Giov.I am dumb,And can make no reply.
Cont.Your excellenceWill be benighted.
Giov.This kiss, bathed in tears,May learn you what I should say.
Lid.Give me leaveTo wait on you to your horse.
Char.And me to bring youTo the one half of your journey.
Giov.Your love putsYour age to too much trouble.
Char.I grow young,When most I serve you.
Cont.Sir, the duke shall thank you.[Exeunt.
Florence. A Room in the Palace.
EnterAlphonso, Hippolito,andHieronimo.
Alph.His highness cannot take it ill.
Hip.However,We with our duties shall express our careFor the safety of his dukedom.
Hier.And our loves
EnterCozimo.
To his person.—Here he comes: present it boldly.[They kneel:Alphonsotenders a paper.
Coz.What needs this form? We are not grown so proudAs to disdain familiar conferenceWith such as are to counsel and direct us.This kind of adoration show'd not wellIn the old Roman emperors, who, forgettingThat they were flesh and blood, would be styled gods:In us to suffer it were worse. Pray you, rise.[Reads.Still the old suit! With too much curiousnessYou have too often search'd this wound, which yieldsSecurity and rest, not trouble, to me.For here you grieve that my firm resolutionContinues me a widower; and thatMy want of issue to succeed me inMy government, when I am dead, may breedDistraction in the state, and make the nameAnd family of the Medici, now admired,Contemptible.
Hip.And with strong reasons, sir.
Alph.For were you old, and past hope to begetThe model of yourself, we should be silent.
Hier.But being in your height and pride of years,As you are now, great sir; and having, too,In your possession the daughter ofThe deceased Duke of Urbin, and his heir,Whose guardian you are made; were you but pleasedTo think her worthy of you, besides children,The dukedom she brings with her for a dowerWill yield a large increase of strength and powerTo those fair territories which alreadyAcknowledge you their absolute lord.
Coz.You press usWith solid arguments, we grant; and, thoughWe stand not bound to yield account to anyWhy we do this or that, (the full consentOf our subjects being included in our will,)We, out of our free bounties, will deliverThe motives that divert[64]us. You well knowThat, three years since, to our much grief, we lostOur duchess; such a duchess, that the world,In her whole course of life[65], yields not a ladyThat can with imitation deserveTo be her second; in her grave we buriedAll thoughts of woman: let this satisfyFor any second marriage. Now, whereasYou name the heir of Urbin, as a princessOf great revenues, 'tis confess'd she is so:But for some causes, private to ourself,We have disposed her otherwise. Yet despair not;For you, ere long, with joy shall understand,That in our princely care we have providedOne worthy to succeed us.
EnterSanazarro.
Hip.We submit,And hold the counsels of great CozimoOraculous.
Coz.My Sanazarro!—Nay,Forbear all ceremony. You look sprightly, friend,And promise in your clear aspect some novelThat may delight us.
Sanaz.O sir, I would not beThe harbinger of aught that might distaste you;And therefore know (for 'twere a sin to tortureYour highness' expectation) your vice-admiral,By my directions, hath surprised the galleysAppointed to transport the Asian tributeOf the great Turk. A richer prize was neverBrought into Florence.
Coz.Still my nightingale,That with sweet accents dost assure me thatMy spring of happiness comes fast upon me!Embrace me boldly. I pronounce that wretchAn enemy to brave and thriving action,That dares believe but in a thought, we areToo prodigal in our favours to this man,Whose merits, though with him we should divideOur dukedom, still continue us his debtor.
Hip.'Tis far from me.
Alph.We all applaud it.
Coz.Nay, blush not, Sanazarro; we are proudOf what we build up in thee; nor can ourElection be disparaged, since we have notReceived into our bosom and our graceA glorious[66]lazy drone, grown fat with feedingOn others' toil, but an industrious bee,That crops the sweet flowers of our enemies,And every happy evening returnsLoaden with wax and honey to our hive.
Sanaz.My best endeavours never can dischargeThe service I should pay.
Coz.Thou art too modest;But we will study how to give, and when,
EnterGiovanniandContarino.
Before it be demanded.——Giovanni!My nephew! let me eye thee better, boy.In thee, methinks, my sister lives again;For her love I will be a father to thee,For thou art my adopted son.
Giov.Your servant,And humblest subject.
Coz.Thy hard travel, nephew,Requires soft rest, and therefore we forbear,For the present, an account how thou hast spentThy absent hours. See, signiors, see, our care,Without a second bed, provides you ofA hopeful prince. Carry him to his lodgings,And, for his further honour, Sanazarro,With the rest, do you attend him.
Giov.All true pleasuresCircle your highness!
Sanaz.As the rising sun,We do receive you.
Giov.May this never set,But shine upon you ever![ExeuntGiovanni, Sanazarro, Hieronimo, Alphonso,andHippolito.
Coz.Contarino!
Cont.My gracious lord.
Coz.What entertainment found youFrom Carolo de Charomonte?
Cont.Free,And bountiful. He's ever like himself,Noble and hospitable.
Coz.But did my nephewDepart thence willingly?
Cont.He obey'd your summonsAs did become him. Yet it was apparent,But that he durst not cross your will, he wouldHave sojourn'd longer there, he ever findingVariety of sweetest entertainment.But there was something else; nor can I blameHis youth, though with some trouble he took leaveOf such a sweet companion.
Coz.Who was it?
Cont.The daughter, sir, of signior Carolo,Fair Lidia, a virgin, at all parts,But in her birth and fortunes, equal to him.The rarest beauties Italy can make boast ofAre but mere shadows to her, she the substanceOf all perfection. And what increasesThe wonder, sir, her body's matchless formIs better'd by the pureness of her soul.Such sweet discourse, such ravishing behaviour,Such charming language, such enchanting manners,With a simplicity that shames all courtship[67],Flow hourly from her, that I do believeHad Circe or Calypso her sweet graces,Wandering Ulysses never had remember'dPenelope, or Ithaca.
Coz.Be not rapt so.
Cont.Your excellence would be so, had you seen her.
Coz.Take up, take up[68].—But did your observationNote any passage of affectionBetween her and my nephew?
Cont.How it shouldBe otherwise between them, is beyondMy best imagination. Cupid's arrowsWere useless there; for of necessity,Their years and dispositions do accord so,They must wound one another.
Coz.Umph! Thou artMy secretary, Contarino, and more skill'dIn politic designs of state, than inThy judgment of a beauty; give me leave,In this, to doubt it.—Here. Go to my cabinet,You shall find there letters newly received,Touching the state of Urbin.Pray you, with care peruse them: leave the searchOf this to us.
Cont.I do obey in all things.[Exit.
Coz.Lidia! a diamond so long conceal'd,And never worn in court! of such sweet feature!And he on whom I fix my dukedom's hopesMade captive to it! Umph! 'tis somewhat strange.Our eyes are every where, and we will makeA strict inquiry.—Sanazarro!
Re-enterSanazarro.
Sanaz.Sir.
Coz.Is my nephew at his rest?
Sanaz.I saw him in bed, sir.
Coz.'Tis well; and does the princess Fiorinda,Nay, do not blush, she is rich Urbin's heir,Continue constant in her favours to you?
Sanaz.Dread sir, she may dispense them as she pleases;But I look up to her as on a princessI dare not be ambitious of, and hopeHer prodigal graces shall not render meOffender to your highness.
Coz.Not a scruple.He whom I favour, as I do my friend,May take all lawful graces that become him:But touching this hereafter. I have now(And though perhaps it may appear a trifle)Serious employment for thee.
Sanaz.I stand readyFor any act you please.
Coz.I know it, friend.Have you ne'er heard of Lidia, the daughterOf Carolo Charomonte?
Sanaz.Him I know, sir,For a noble gentleman, and my worthy friend;But never heard of her.
Coz.She is deliver'd,And feelingly to us, by Contarino,For a masterpiece in nature. I would have youRide suddenly thither to behold this wonder,But not as sent by us; that's our first caution:The second is, and carefully observe it,That, though you are a bachelor, and endow'd withAll those perfections that may take a virgin,On forfeit of our favour do not tempt her:It may be her fair graces do concern us.Pretend what business you think fit, to gainAccess unto her father's house, and, there,Make full discovery of her, and return meA true relation:—I have some ends in it,With which we will acquaint you.
Sanaz.This is, sir,An easy task.
Coz.Yet one that must exactYour secrecy and diligence. Let notYour stay be long.
Sanaz.It shall not, sir.
Coz.Farewell,And be, as you would keep our favour, careful.[Exeunt.
The same. A Room inFiorinda's House.
EnterFiorindaandCalaminta.
Fior.How does this dressing show?
Calam.'Tis of itselfCurious and rare; but, borrowing ornament,As it does from your grace, that deigns to wear it,Incomparable.
Fior.Thou flatter'st me.
Calam.I cannot,Your excellence is above it.
Fior.Were we less perfect,Yet, being as we are, an absolute princess,We of necessity must be chaste, wise, fair,By our prerogative!—yet all these failTo move where I would have them. How receivedCount Sanazarro the rich scarf I sent himFor his last visit?
Calam.With much reverence,I dare not say affection. He express'dMore ceremony in his humble thanks,Than feeling of the favour; and appear'dWilfully ignorant, in my opinion,Of what it did invite him to.
Fior.No matter;He's blind with too much light[69]. Have you not heardOf any private mistress he's engaged to?
Calam.Not any; and this does amaze me, madam,That he, a soldier, should in his mannersBe so averse to women.
Fior.Troth, I know not.
Calam.I do suspect him; for I learnt last night,When the great duke went to rest, attended byOne private follower, he took horse; but whitherHe's rid, or to what end, I cannot guess at,But I will find it out.
Fior.Do, faithful servant;
EnterCalandrino.
We would not be abused.—Who have we here?
Calam.How the fool stares!
Fior.And looks as if he wereConning his neck-verse.
Cal.If I now prove perfectIn my A B C of courtship, CalandrinoIs made for ever. I am sent—let me see,On aHow d'ye, as they call 't.
Calam.What wouldst thou say?
Cal.Let me see my notes. These are her lodgings; well.
Calam.Art thou an ass?
Cal.Peace! thou art a court wagtail,[Looking on his instructions.To interrupt me.
Fior. He has given it you.
Cal.And then say to the illustrious Fi-o-rin-da—I have it. Which is she?
Calam.Why this; fop-doodle.
Cal.Leave chattering, bull-finch; you would put me out,But 'twill not do.—Then, after you have madeYour three obeisances to her, kneel, and kissThe skirt of her gown.—I am glad it is no worse.
Calam.This is sport unlook'd for.
Cal.Are you the princess?
Fior.Yes, sir.
Cal.Then stand fair,For I am choleric; and do not nipA hopeful blossom. Out again:—Three lowObeisances—
Fior.I am ready.
Cal.I come on, then.
Calam.With much formality.
Cal.Umph! One, two, three.[Makes antic courtesies.Thus far I am right. Now for the last. [Kisses the skirt of her gown.]—O, rare!She is perfumed all over! Sure great women,Instead of little dogs, are privilegedTo carry musk-cats.
Fior.Now the ceremonyIs pass'd, what is the substance?
Cal.I'll peruseMy instructions, and then tell you.—Her skirt kiss'd,Inform her highness that your lord——
Calam.Who's that?
Cal.Prince Giovanni, who entreats your grace,That he, with your good favour, may have leaveTo present his service to you. I think I have nick'd itFor a courtier of the first form.
Fior.To my wonder.
EnterGiovanniand a Gentleman.
Return unto the prince—but he preventsMy answer. Calaminta, take him off;And, for the neat delivery of his message,Give him ten ducats: such rare parts as yoursAre to be cherish'd.
Cal.We will share: I knowIt is the custom of the court, when tenAre promised, five is fair. Fie! fie! the princessShall never know it, so you despatch me quickly,And bid me not come to-morrow.
Calam.Very good, sir.[ExeuntCalandrinoandCalaminta.
Giov.Pray you, friend,Inform the duke I am putting into actWhat he commanded.
Gent.I am proud to be employ'd, sir.[Exit.
Giov.Madam, that, without warrant, I presumeTo trench upon your privacies, may argueRudeness of manners; but the free accessYour princely courtesy vouchsafes to allThat come to pay their services, gives me hopeTo find a gracious pardon.
Fior.If you please, notTo make that an offence in your construction,Which I receive as a large favour from you,There needs not this apology.
Giov.You continue,As you were ever, the greatest mistress ofFair entertainment.
Fior.You are, sir, the master;And in the country have learnt to outdoAll that in court is practised. But why should weTalk at such distance? You are welcome, sir.We have been more familiar, and sinceYou will impose the province (you should govern)Of boldness on me, give me leave to sayYou are too punctual. Sit, sir, and discourseAs we were used.
Giov.Your excellence knows so wellHow to command, that I can never errWhen I obey you.
Fior.Nay, no more of this.You shall o'ercome; no more, I pray you, sir.—And what delights, pray you be liberalIn your relation, hath the country lifeAfforded you?
Giov.All pleasures, gracious madam,But the happiness to converse with your sweet virtues.I had a grave instructor, and my hoursDesign'd to serious studies yielded mePleasure with profit, in the knowledge ofWhat before I was ignorant in; the signior,Carolo de Charomonte, being skilfulTo guide me through the labyrinth of wild passions,That labour'd to imprison my free soulA slave to vicious sloth.
Fior.You speak him well.
Giov.But short of his deserts. Then for the timeOf recreation, I was allow'd(Against the form follow'd by jealous parentsIn Italy) full liberty to partakeHis daughter's sweet society. She's a virginHappy in all endowments which a poetCould fancy in his mistress; being herselfA school of goodness, where chaste maids may learn,Without the aids of foreign principles,By the example of her life and pureness,To be as she is, excellent. I but give youA brief epitome of her virtues, which,Dilated on at large, and to their merit,Would make an ample story.
Fior.Your whole age,So spent with such a father, and a daughter,Could not be tedious to you.
Giov.True, great princess:And now, since you have pleased to grant the hearingOf my time's expense in the country, give me leaveTo entreat the favour to be made acquaintedWhat service, or what objects in the court,Have, in your excellency's acceptance, provedMost gracious to you.
Fior.I'll meet your demand,And make a plain discovery. The duke's careFor my estate and person holds the firstAnd choicest place: then, the respect the courtiersPay gladly to me, not to be contemn'd.But that which raised in me the most delight,(For I am a friend to valour,) was to hearThe noble actions truly reportedOf the brave count Sanazarro. I profess,When it hath been, and fervently, deliver'd,How boldly, in the horror of a fight,Cover'd with fire and smoke, and, as if natureHad lent him wings, like lightning he hath fallenUpon the Turkish galleys, I have heard itWith a kind of pleasure, which hath whisper'd to me,This worthy must be cherish'd.
Giov.'Twas a bountyYou never can repent.
Fior.I glory in it.And when he did return, (but still with conquest,)His armour off, not young AntinousAppear'd more courtly; all the graces thatRender a man's society dear to ladies,Like pages waiting on him; and it doesWork strangely on me.
Giov.To divert your thoughts,Though they are fix'd upon a noble subject,I am a suitor to you.
Fior.You will ask,I do presume, what I may grant, and thenIt must not be denied.
Giov.It is a favourFor which I hope your excellence will thank me.
Fior.Nay, without circumstance.
Giov.That you would pleaseTo take occasion to move the duke,That you, with his allowance, may commandThis matchless virgin, Lidia, (of whomI cannot speak too much,) to wait upon you.She's such a one, upon the forfeit ofYour good opinion of me, that will notBe a blemish to your train.
Fior.'Tis rank! he loves her:But I will fit him with a suit. [Aside.]—I pause not,As if it bred or doubt or scruple in meTo do what you desire, for I'll effect it,And make use of a fair and fit occasion;Yet, in return, I ask a boon of you,And hope to find you, in your grant to me,As I have been to you.
Giov.Command me, madam.
Fior.'Tis near allied to yours. That you would beA suitor to the duke, not to expose,After so many trials of his faith,The noble Sanazarro to all dangers,As if he were a wall to stand the furyOf a perpetual battery: but nowTo grant him, after his long labours, restAnd liberty to live in court; his armsAnd his victorious sword and shield hung upFor monuments.
Giov.Umph!—I'll embrace, fair princess,
EnterCozimo.
The soonest opportunity. The duke!
Coz.Nay, blush not; we smile on your privacy,And come not to disturb you. You are equals,And, without prejudice to either's honours,May make a mutual change of love and courtship,Till you are made one, and with holy rites,And we give suffrage to it.
Giov.You are gracious.
Coz.To ourself in this: but now break off; too muchTaken at once of the most curious viands,Dulls the sharp edge of appetite. We are nowFor other sports, in which our pleasure isThat you should keep us company.
Fior.We attend you.[Exeunt.
The Country. A Hall inCharomonte's House.
EnterBernardo, Caponi,andPetruchio.
Bern.Is my lord stirring?
Cap.No; he's fast.
Pet.Let us take, then,Our morning draught. Such as eat store of beef,Mutton, and capons, may preserve their healthsWith that thin composition call'd small beer,As, 'tis said, they do in England. But Italians,That think when they have supp'd upon an olive,A root, or bunch of raisins, 'tis a feast,Must kill those crudities rising from cold herbs,With hot and lusty wines.
Cap.A happinessThose tramontanes[70]ne'er tasted.
Bern.Have they notStore of wine there?
Cap.Yes, and drink more in two hoursThan the Dutchmen or the Dane in four and twenty.
Pet.But what is 't? French trash, made of rotten grapes,And dregs and lees of Spain, with Welsh metheglin,A drench to kill a horse! But this pure nectar,Being proper to our climate, is too fineTo brook the roughness of the sea: the spiritOf this begets in us quick apprehensions,And active executions; whereas theirGross feeding makes their understanding like it:They can fight, and that's their all.[They drink.
EnterSanazarroandServani.
Sanaz.SecurityDwells about this house, I think; the gate's wide open,And not a servant stirring. See the horsesSet up, and clothed.
Serv.I shall, sir.[Exit.
Sanaz.I'll make boldTo press a little further.
Bern.Who is this,Count Sanazarro?
Pet.Yes, I know him. QuicklyRemove the flagon.
Sanaz.A good day to you, friends.Nay, do not conceal your physic; I approve it,And, if you please, will be a patient with you.
Pet.My noble lord.[Drinks.
Sanaz.A health to yours. [Drinks.] Well done!I see you love yourselves, and I commend you;'Tis the best wisdom.
Pet.May it please your honourTo walk a turn in the gallery, I'll acquaintMy lord with your being here.[Exit.
Sanaz.Tell him I comeFor a visit only. 'Tis a handsome pile this.[Exit.
Cap.Why here is a brave fellow, and a right one;Nor wealth nor greatness makes him proud.
Bern.There areToo few of them; for most of our new courtiers,(Whose fathers were familiar with the pricesOf oil and corn, with when and where to vent them,And left their heirs rich, from their knowledge that way,)Like gourds shot up in a night, disdain to speakBut to cloth of tissue.
EnterCharomontein a nightgown,Petruchiofollowing.
Char.Stand you prating, knaves,When such a guest is under my roof! See allThe rooms perfumed. This is the man that carriesThe sway and swing of the court; and I had ratherPreserve him mine with honest offices, than——But I'll make no comparisons. Bid my daughterTrim herself up to the height. Which way went he?
Cap.To the round gallery.
Char.I will entertain himAs fits his worth and quality, but no further.[Exeunt.
A Gallery in the same.
EnterSanazarro.
Sanaz.I cannot apprehend, yet I have arguedAll ways I can imagine, for what reasonsThe great duke does employ me hither; and,What does increase the miracle, I must renderA strict and true account, at my return,Of Lidia, this lord's daughter, and describeIn what she's excellent, and where defective.'Tis a hard task: he that will undergoTo make a judgment of a woman's beauty,And see through all her plasterings and paintings,Had need of Lynceus' eyes, and with more easeMay look, like him, through nine mud walls, than makeA true discovery of her. But the intentsAnd secrets of my prince's heart must beServed, and not search'd into.
EnterCharomonte.
Char.Most noble sir,Excuse my age, subject to ease and sloth,That with no greater speed I have presentedMy service with your welcome.
Sanaz.'Tis more fitThat I should ask your pardon, for disturbingYour rest at this unseasonable hour.But my occasions carrying me so nearYour hospitable house, my stay being short too,Your goodness, and the name of friend, which youAre pleased to grace me with, gave me assuranceA visit would not offend.
Char.Offend, my lord!I feel myself much younger for the favour.How is it with our gracious master?
Sanaz.He, sir,Holds still his wonted greatness, and confessesHimself your debtor, for your love and careTo the prince Giovanni; and had sentParticular thanks by me, had his grace knownThe quick despatch of what I was design'd toWould have licensed me to see you.
Char.I am richIn his acknowledgment.
Sanaz.I have heardYour happiness in a daughter.
Char.Sits the wind there?[Aside.
Sanaz.Fame gives her out for a rare masterpiece.
Char.'Tis a plain village girl, sir, but obedient;That's her best beauty, sir.
Sanaz.Let my desireTo see her find a fair construction from you:I bring no loose thought with me.
Char.You are that way,My lord, free from suspicion. Her own manners,Without an imposition from me,I hope, will prompt her to it.
EnterLidiaandPetronella.
As she is,She comes to make a tender of that serviceWhich she stands bound to pay.
Sanaz.With your fair leave,I make bold to salute you.
Lid.Sir, you have it.
Char.How he falls off!
Lid.My lord, though silence best becomes a maid,And to be curious to know but whatConcerns myself, and with becoming distance,May argue me of boldness, I must borrowSo much of modesty, as to inquirePrince Giovanni's health.
Sanaz.He cannot wantWhat you are pleased to wish him.
Lid.Would 'twere so!And then there is no blessing that can makeA hopeful and a noble prince complete,But should fall on him. O! he was our north star,The light and pleasure of our eyes.
Sanaz.Where am I?I feel myself another thing! Can charmsBe writ on such pure rubies[71]? her lips meltAs soon as touch'd! Not those smooth gales that glideO'er happy Araby, or rich Sabæa,Creating in their passage gums and spices,Can serve for a weak simile to expressThe sweetness of her breath. Such a brave statureHomer bestow'd on Pallas, every limbProportion'd to it!
Char.This is strange.—My lord!
Sanaz.I crave your pardon, and yours, matchless maid,For such I must report you.
Petron.There's no noticeTaken all this while of me.[Aside.
Sanaz.And I must add,If your discourse and reason parallelThe rareness of your more than human form,You are a wonder.
Char.Pray you, my lord, make trial:She can speak, I can assure you; and that my presenceMay not take from her freedom, I will leave you:For know, my lord, my confidence dares trust herWhere, and with whom, she pleases.—Petronella!
Petron.Yes, my good lord.
Char.I have employment for you.[ExeuntCharomonteandPetronella.
Lid.What's your will, sir?
Sanaz.Madam, you are so large a theme to treat of,And every grace about you offers to meSuch copiousness of language, that I standDoubtful which first to touch at. If I err,As in my choice I may, let me entreat you,Before I do offend, to sign my pardon:Let this, the emblem of your innocence,Give me assurance.
Lid.My hand join'd to yours,Without this superstition, confirms it.Nor need I fear you will dwell long upon me,The barrenness of the subject yielding nothingThat rhetoric, with all her tropes and figures,Can amplify. Yet since you are resolvedTo prove yourself a courtier in my praise,As I'm a woman (and you men affirmOur sex loves to be flatter'd) I'll endure it.
EnterCharomonteabove.
Now, when you please, begin.
Sanaz.[turning from her.] If the great dukeMade this his end to try my constant temper,Though I am vanquished, 'tis his fault, not mine;For I am flesh and blood, and have affectionsLike other men. Who can behold the temples,Or holy altars, but the objects workDevotion in him? And I may as wellWalk over burning iron with bare feet,And be unscorch'd, as look upon this beautyWithout desire, and that desire pursued too,Till it be quench'd with the enjoying thoseDelights, which to achieve, danger is nothing,And loyalty but a word.
Lid.I ne'er was proud;Nor can find I am guilty of a thoughtDeserving this neglect.
Sanaz.Suppose his greatnessLoves her himself, why makes he choice of meTo be his agent? It is tyrannyTo call one pinch'd with hunger to a feast,And at that instant cruelly deny himTo taste of what he sees. AllegianceTempted too far is like the trial ofA good sword on an anvil; as that oftenFlies in pieces without service to the owner,So trust enforced too far proves treachery,And is too late repented.
Lid.Pray you, sir,Or license me to leave you, or deliverThe reasons which invite you to commandMy tedious waiting on you.
Char.As I live,I know not what to think on 't. Is 't his pride,Or his simplicity?
Sanaz.Whither have my thoughtsCarried me from myself? In this my dulness,I've lost an opportunity——[Turns to her; she falls off.
Lid.'Tis trueI was not bred in court, nor live a star there;Nor shine in rich embroideries and pearl,As they that are the mistresses of great fortunesAre every day adorn'd with——
Sanaz.Will you vouchsafeYour ear, sweet lady?
Lid.Yet I may be bold,For my integrity and fame, to rankWith such as are more glorious. Though I neverDid injury, yet I am sensibleWhen I'm contemn'd and scorn'd.
Sanaz.Will you please to hear me?
Lid.O the difference of natures! Giovanni,A prince in expectation, when he lived here,Stole courtesy from heaven[72], and would not toThe meanest servant in my father's houseHave kept such distance.
Sanaz.Pray you, do not think meUnworthy of your ear: it was your beautyThat turn'd me statue. I can speak, fair lady.
Lid.And I can hear. The harshness of your courtshipCannot corrupt my courtesy.
Sanaz.Will you hear me,If I speak of love?
Lid.Provided you be modest;I were uncivil, else.
Char.They are come to parley:I must observe this nearer.[He retires.
Sanaz.You are a rare one,And such (but that my haste commands me hence)I could converse with ever. Will you grace meWith leave to visit you again?
Lid.So you,At your return to court, do me the favourTo make a tender of my humble serviceTo the prince Giovanni.
Sanaz.Ever touchingUpon that string! [Aside.] And will you give me hopeOf future happiness?
Lid.That, as I shall find you:The fort that's yielded at the first assaultIs hardly worth the taking.
Re-enterCharomontebelow.
Sanaz.She is a magazine of all perfection,And 'tis death to part from her, yet I must.
Char.A homely breakfast does attend your lordship,Such as the place affords.
Sanaz.No; I have feastedAlready here; my thanks, and so I leave you:I will see you again.—Till this unhappy hourI was never lost; and what to do, or say,I have not yet determined.[Aside, and exit.
Char.Gone so abruptly!'Tis very strange.
Lid.Under your favour, sir,His coming hither was to little purpose,For any thing I heard from him.
Char.Take heed, Lidia!I do advise you with a father's love,And tenderness of your honour; as I would notHave you too harsh in giving entertainment,So by no means be credulous: for great men,Till they have gain'd their ends, are giants inTheir promises, but, those obtain'd, weak pigmiesIn their performance. And it is a maximAllow'd among them, so they may deceive,They may swear any thing; for the queen of love,As they hold constantly, does never punish,But smile at, lovers' perjuries[73].—Yet be wise too,And when you are sued to in a noble way,Be neither nice nor scrupulous.
Lid.All you speak, sir,I hear as oracles; nor will digressFrom your directions.
Char.So shall you keepYour fame untainted.
Lid.As I would my life, sir.[Exeunt.
Florence. An Anteroom in the Palace.
EnterSanazarroand Servant.
Sanaz.Leave the horses with my grooms; but be you careful,With your best diligence and speed, to find outThe prince, and humbly, in my name, entreatI may exchange some private conference with himBefore the great duke know of my arrival.
Serv.I haste, my lord.
Sanaz.Here I'll attend his coming:And see you keep yourself, as much as may be,Conceal'd from all men else.
Serv.To serve your lordship,I wish I were invisible.[Exit.
Sanaz.I am drivenInto a desperate strait, and cannot steerA middle course; and of the two extremesWhich I must make election of, I know notWhich is more full of horror. Never servantStood more engaged to a magnificent master,Than I to Cozimo: and all those honoursAnd glories by his grace conferr'd upon me,Or by my prosperous services deserved,If now I should deceive his trust, and makeA shipwreck of my loyalty, are ruin'd.And, on the other side, if I discoverLidia's divine perfections, all my hopesIn her are sunk, never to be buoy'd up:For 'tis impossible, but, as soon as seen,She must with adoration be sued to.A hermit at his beads but looking on herAt this object would take fire. Nor is the dukeSuch an Hippolytus, but that this Phædra,But seen, must force him to forsake the grovesAnd Dian's huntmanship, proud to serve underVenus' soft ensigns. No, there is no wayFor me to hope fruition of my ends,But to conceal her beauties;—and how thatMay be effected is as hard a taskAs with a veil to cover the sun's beams,Or comfortable light. Three years the princeLived in her company, and Contarino,The secretary, hath possess'd[74]the dukeWhat a rare piece she is:—but he's my creature,And may with ease be frighted to denyWhat he hath said: and if my long experience,With some strong reasons I have thought upon,Cannot o'er-reach a youth, my practice yields meBut little profit.
EnterGiovanniwith the Servant.
Giov.You are well return'd, sir.
Sanaz.Leave us.—[Exit Servant.] When that your grace shall know the motivesThat forced me to invite you to this trouble,You will excuse my manners.
Giov.Sir, there needs notThis circumstance between us. You are everMy noble friend.
Sanaz.You shall have further causeTo assure you of my faith and zeal to serve you:And when I have committed to your trust(Presuming still on your retentive silence)A secret of no less importance thanMy honour, nay, my head, it will confirmWhat value you hold with me.
Giov.Pray you, believe, sir,What you deliver to me shall be lock'd upIn a strong cabinet, of which you yourselfShall keep the key; for here I pawn my honour,Which is the best security I can give yet,It shall not be discover'd.
Sanaz.This assuranceIs more than I with modesty could demandFrom such a paymaster; but I must be sudden;And, therefore, to the purpose. Can your excellence,In your imagination, conceiveOn what design, or whither, the duke's willCommanded me hence last night?
Giov.No, I assure you;And it had been a rudeness to inquireOf that I was not call'd to.
Sanaz.Grant me hearing,And I will make you truly understandIt only did concern you.
Giov.Me, my lord!
Sanaz.You, in your present state and future fortunes;For both lie at the stake.
Giov.You much amaze me.Pray you, resolve this riddle.
Sanaz.You know the duke,If he die issueless, as yet he is,Determines you his heir.
Giov.It hath pleased his highnessOft to profess so much.
Sanaz.But say he shouldBe won to prove a second wife, on whomHe may beget a son, how, in a moment,Will all those glorious expectations, whichRender you reverenced and remarkable,Be in a moment blasted, howe'er you areHis much-loved sister's son!
Giov.I must bear itWith patience, and in me it is a dutyThat I was born with; and 'twere much unfitFor the receiver of a benefitTo offer, for his own ends, to prescribeLaws to the giver's pleasure.
Sanaz.Sweetly answer'd,And like your noble self. This your rare temperSo wins upon me, that I would not live(If that by honest arts I can prevent it)To see your hopes made frustrate. And but thinkHow you shall be transform'd from what you are,Should this (as Heaven avert it!) ever happen.It must disturb your peace: for whereas now,Being, as you are, received for the heir-apparent,You are no sooner seen but wonder'd at;The signiors making it a business toInquire how you have slept; and, as you walkThe streets of Florence, the glad multitudeIn throngs press but to see you; and, with joy,The father, pointing with his finger, tellsHis son, This is the prince, the hopeful prince,That must hereafter rule, and you obey him.—Great ladies beg your picture, and make loveTo that, despairing to enjoy the substance.—And but the last night, when 'twas only rumour'dThat you were come to court, as if you hadBy sea pass'd hither from another world,What general shouts and acclamations follow'd!The bells rang loud, the bonfires blazed, and suchAs loved not wine, carousing to your health,Were drunk, and blush'd not at it. And is thisA happiness to part with?
Giov.I allow theseAs flourishes of fortune, with which princesAre often soothed; but never yet esteem'd themFor real blessings.
Sanaz.Yet all these were paidTo what you may be, not to what you are;For if the Great Duke but show to his servantsA son of his own, you shall, like one obscure,Pass unregarded.
Giov.I confess, commandIs not to be contemn'd, and if my fateAppoint me to it, as I may, I'll bear itWith willing shoulders. But, my lord, as yet,You've told me of a danger coming towards me,But have not named it.
Sanaz.That is soon deliver'd.Great Cozimo, your uncle, as I moreThan guess, for 'tis no frivolous circumstanceThat does persuade my judgment to believe it,Purposes to be married.
Giov.Married, sir!With whom, and on what terms? pray you, instruct me.
Sanaz.With the fair Lidia.
Giov.Lidia!
Sanaz.The daughterOf signior Charomonte.
Giov.Pardon meThough I appear incredulous; for, onMy knowledge, he ne'er saw her.
Sanaz.That is granted:But Contarino hath so sung her praises,And given her out for such a masterpiece,That he's transported with it, sir:—and loveSteals sometimes through the ear into the heart,As well as by the eye. The duke no soonerHeard her described, but I was sent in postTo see her, and return my judgment of her.
Giov.And what's your censure[75]?
Sanaz.'Tis a pretty creature.
Giov.She's very fair.
Sanaz.Yes, yes, I have seen worse faces.
Giov.Her limbs are neatly form'd.
Sanaz.She hath a waistIndeed sized to love's wish.
Giov.A delicate hand too.
Sanaz.Then for a leg and foot—
Giov.And there I leave you,For I presumed no further.
Sanaz.As she is, sir,I know she wants no gracious part that mayAllure the duke; and, if he only see her,She is his own; he will not be denied,And then you are lost: yet, if you'll second me,(As you have reason, for it most concerns you,)I can prevent all yet.
Giov.I would you could,A noble way.
Sanaz.I will cry down her beauties;Especially the beauties of her mind,As much as Contarino hath advanced them;And this, I hope, will breed forgetfulness,And kill affection in him: but you must joinWith me in my report, if you be question'd.
Giov.I never told a lie yet; and I hold itIn some degree blasphémous[76]to dispraiseWhat's worthy admiration: yet, for once,I will dispraise a little, and not varyFrom your relation.
Sanaz.Be constant in it.
EnterAlphonso.
Alph.My lord, the duke hath seen your man, and wonders
EnterCozimo, Hippolito, Contarino,and Attendants.
You come not to him. See, if his desireTo have conference with you hath not brought him hitherIn his own person!
Coz.They are comely coursers,And promise swiftness.
Cont.They are, of my knowledge,Of the best race in Naples.
Coz.You are, nephew,As I hear, an excellent horseman, and we like it:'Tis a fair grace in a prince. Pray you, make trialOf their strength and speed; and, if you think them fitFor your employment, with a liberal handReward the gentleman that did present themFrom the viceroy of Naples.
Giov.I will useMy best endeavour, sir.
Coz.Wait on my nephew.[ExeuntGiovanni, Alphonso, Hippolito,and Attendants.Nay, stay you, Contarino:—be within call;It may be we shall use you. [ExitContarino.] You have rode hard, sir,And we thank you for it: every minute seemsIrksome, and tedious to us, till you haveMade your discovery. Say, friend, have you seenThis phœnix of our age?
Sanaz.I have seen a maid, sir;But, if that I have judgment, no such wonderAs she was deliver'd to you.
Coz.This is strange.
Sanaz.But certain truth. It may be, she was look'd onWith admiration in the country, sir;But, if compared with many in your court,She would appear but ordinary.
Coz.ContarinoReports her otherwise.
Sanaz.Such as ne'er saw swansMay think crows beautiful.
Coz.How is her behaviour?
Sanaz.'Tis like the place she lives in.
Coz.How her wit,Discourse, and entertainment?
Sanaz.Very coarse;I would not willingly say poor, and rude:But, had she all the beauties of fair women,The dulness of her soul would fright me from her.
Coz.You are curious, sir. I know not what to think on 't.— [Aside.Contarino!
Re-enterContarino.
Cont.Sir.
Coz.Where was thy judgment, man,To extol a virgin Sanazarro tells meIs nearer to deformity?
Sanaz.I saw her,And curiously perused her; and I wonderThat she, that did appear to me, that knowWhat beauty is, not worthy the observing,Should so transport you.
Cont.Troth, my lord, I thought then——
Coz.Thought! Didst thou not affirm it?
Cont.I confess, sir,I did believe so then; but now I hearMy lord's opinion to the contrary,I am of another faith: for 'tis not fitThat I should contradict him. I am dim, sir;But he's sharp-sighted.
Sanaz.This is to my wish.[Aside.
Coz.We know not what to think of this; yet would not
Re-enterGiovanni, Hippolito,andAlphonso.
Determine rashly of it. [Aside.]—How do you likeMy nephew's horsemanship?
Hip.In my judgment, sir,It is exact and rare.
Alph.And, to my fancy,He did present great Alexander mountedOn his Bucephalus.
Coz.You are right, courtiers,And know it is your duty to cry upAll actions of a prince.
Sanaz.Do not betrayYourself, you're safe; I have done my part.[Aside toGiovanni.
Giov.I thank you;Nor will I fail.
Coz.What's your opinion, nephew,Of the horses?
Giov.Two of them are, in my judgment,The best I ever back'd; I mean the roan, sir,And the brown bay: but for the chestnut-colour'd,Though he be full of metal, hot, and fiery,He treads weak in his pasterns.
Coz.So: come nearer;This exercise hath put you into a sweat;Take this and dry it: and now I command youTo tell me truly what's your censure ofCharomonte's daughter, Lidia.