Cur.Farewel, and thank thee.—PoorClorisdead, and banish’d too fromLaura!Was ever wretched Lover’s Fate like mine!—And he who injures me, has power to do so;—But why, where lies this Power about this Man?Is it his Charms of Beauty, or of Wit?Or that great Name he has acquir’d in War?Is it the Majesty, that holy something,That guards the Person of this Demi-god?This awes not me, there must be something more.For ever, when I call upon my Wrongs,Something within me pleads so kindly for him,As would persuade me that he could not err.—Ah, what is this? where lies this Power divine,That can so easily make a Slave of mine?Exeunt.Scene III.Frederick’sChamber.EnterFrederick, andClorisfinely dress’d.Fred.’Tis much methinks, a Boy of so dejected,Humble Birth, should have so much of SenseAnd Soul about him.Clo.I know not that; but if I have a thoughtAbove that humble Birth or Education,It was inspir’d by Love.Fred.Still you raise my Wonder greater;—Thou a Lover?Clo.Yes, my Lord, though I am young,I’ve felt the power of Beauty;And should you look upon the Object, Sir,Your Wonders soon would cease;Each Look does even animate Insensibles,And strikes a reverend Awe upon the Soul:Nothing is found so lovely.Fred.Thou speak’st prettily, I think LoveIndeed has inspir’d thee.Clo.These were the Flatteries, Sir, she us’d to me;Of her it was I learn’d to speak, and sigh,And look, as oft you say, I do on you.Fred.Why then, it seems she made returns?Clo.Ah! Sir, ’twas I that first was blest,I first the happy Object was belov’d;For, ’twas a Person, Sir, so much above me,—It had been Sin to’ve rais’d my Eyes to her;Or by a glance, or sigh, betray my Pain.But Oh! when with a thousandsoftExpressions,She did encourage me to speak of Love!—My God! how soon extravagant I grew,And told so oft the story of my Passion,That she grew weary of the repeated Tale,And punish’d my presumption with a strange neglect.Weeps.Fred.How, my goodPhilibert?Clo.Would suffer me to see her Face no more.Fred.That was pity; without a Fault?Clo.Alas, Sir, I was guilty of no Crime,But that of having told her how I lov’d her;For all I had I sacrific’d to her;—Poor worthless Treasures to any but a Lover;And such you know accept the meanest things,Which Love and a true Devotion do present.When she was present, I found a thousand waysTo let her know how much I was her Slave;And absent, still invented new ones,And quite neglected all my little Business;Counting the tedious Moments of the DayBy Sighs and Tears; thought it an Age to night,Whose Darkness might secure our happy meeting:But we shall meet no more on these kind Terms.Sighs.Fred.Come, do not weep, sweet Youth, thou art too young,To have thy blooming Cheeks blasted with sorrow;Thou wilt out-grow this childish Inclination,And shalt see Beauties here, whose every glanceKindle new Fires, and quite expel the old.Clo.Oh, never, Sir.Fred.When I was first in love, I thought so too,But now with equal ardourI doat upon each new and beauteous Object.Clo.And quite forget the old?Fred.Not so; but when I see them o’er again,I find I love them as I did before.Clo.Oh God forbid, I should be so inconstant!No, Sir, though she be false, she has my Heart,And I can die, but not redeem the Victim.Fred.Away, you little Fool, you make me sadBy this resolve: but I’ll instruct you better.Clo.I would not make you sad for all the World.Sir, I will sing, or dance, do any thingThat may divert you.Fred.I thank thee,Philibert, and will acceptThy Bounty; perhaps it may allay thy Griefs awhile too.Clo.I’ll call the Musick, Sir.She goes out.Fred.This Boy has strange agreements in him.EnterCloriswith Musick.She bids them play, and dances a Jig.This was wondrous kind, my prettyPhilibert.Exeunt Musick.EnterPage.Page.Lorenzo, my Lord, begs admittance.Fred.He may come in.ExitPage.EnterLorenzo.—Well,Lorenzo, what’s the News with thee?—How goes the price of Beauty, hah?Lor.My Lord, that question isa propostoWhat I have to say; this Paper will answer yourQuestion, Sir—Gives him a Paper, he reads.—Hah, I vow to gad a lovely Youth;Lor.gazes onPhil.But what makes he here withFrederick?This Stripling may chance to mar my market of Women now—’Tis a fine Lad, how plump and white he is;Aside.Would I could meet him somewhere i’th’ dark,I’d have a fling at him, and try whether IWere rightFlorentine.Fred.Well, Sir, where be these Beauties?Lor.I’ll conduct you to them.Fred.What’s the Fellow that brings them?Lor.AGrecian, I think, or something.Fred.Beauties fromGreece, Man!Lor.Why, let them be from the Devil,So they be new and fine, what need we care?—But you must go to night.Fred.I am not in a very good conditionTo make Visits of that kind.Lor.However, see them, and if you like them,You may oblige the Fellow to a longer stay,For I know they are handsome.Fred.That’s the only thing thou art judge of;—Well, go you and prepare them;AndPhilibert, thou shalt along with me;I’ll have thy Judgment too.Clo.Good Heaven, how false he is!Aside.Lor.What time will your Highness come?Fred.Two Hours hence.Ex.Fred.Lor.So then I shall have time to have a boutWith this jilting HuswifeIsabella,For my Fingers itch to be at her.Aside.Ex.Lorenzo.Clo.Not know me yet? cannot this Face inform him?My Sighs, nor Eyes, my Accent, nor my Tale?Had he one thought of me, he must have found me out.—Yes, yes, ’tis certain I am miserable;He’s going now to see some fresher Beauties,And I, he says, must be a witness of it;This gives me Wounds, painful as those of Love:Some Women now would find a thousand PlotsFrom so much Grief as I have, but I’m dull;Yet I’ll toLaura, and advise with her,Where I will tell her such a heavy Tale,As shall oblige her to a kind concern:—This may do; I’ll tell her of this Thought,This is the first of Art I ever thought on;And if this proves a fruitless Remedy,The next, I need not study, how to die.Exeunt.Scene IV.A Street.EnterLorenzo, meetsGuilliam, who passes by him, and takes no notice of him.Lor.How now, Manners a few?Guil.I cry you heartily, Sir, I did not see you.Lor.Well, Sirrah, the News.Guil.Sir, the Gentlewoman whom you sent me to says That she’ll meet you here.Lor.That’s well, thou mayst come to be a States-man In time, thou art a fellow of so quick dispatch: But hark ye, Sirrah, there are a few Lessons I must learn you,Concerning Offices of this nature; But another time for that: but—Whispers.EnterIsabella, andAntonio’s Valet.Isab.Here he is; and prithee, when thou seest him in My Chamber, go and tell my Lord, Under pretence of the care you have of the Honour of his House.Val.I warrant you, let me alone for a Tale, And a Lye at the end on’t; which shall not over-much Incense him, nor yet make him neglect coming.Ex.Val.Lor.Oh, are you there, Mistress? what have you now To say for your last Night’s Roguery? Are not you a Baggage? confess.Isab.You have a mind to lose your opportunity again, As you did last Night, have ye not? Pray God your own Shadow scare you not, As it did then; and you will possibly believe No body meant you harm then, nor now.Lor.Art thou in earnest?Isab.Are you in earnest?Lor.Yes, that I am, and thatClarinashall find, If I once come to her.Isab.Come, leave your frippery Jests, and come in.Lor.Guilliam, be sure you attend me here, And whoever you see, say nothing; the best on’t is, Thou art not much known.Isab.andLor.go in.Guil.Well, I see there is nothing butfouteringIn this Town; wou’d ourLuciawere here too for me, For all the Maids I meet with are so giglish And scornful, that a Man, as I am, Gets nothing but flouts and flings from them. Oh, for the little kind Lass that lives Under the Hill, of whom the Song was made; Which because I have nothing else to do, I will sing over now; hum, hum.The Song forGuilliam.To some Tune like him.Ina Cottage by the MountainLives a very pretty Maid,Who lay sleeping by a Fountain,Underneath a Myrtle shade;Her Petticoat of wanton Sarcenet,The amorous Wind about did move,And quite unveil’d,And quite unveil’d the Throne of Love,And quite unveil’d the Throne of Love.’Tis something cold, I’ll go take aNiperkinof Wine,Goes out.EnterIsab.andLor.above, as frighted into the Balcony.Lor.This was some trick of thine, I will be hang’d else.Isab.Oh, I’ll be sworn you wrong me;Alas, I’m undone by’t.Ant.at the Door knocks.Ant.Open the Door, thou naughty Woman.Lor.Oh, oh, what shall I do? what shall I do?Ant.Open the Door, I say.Lor.Oh, ’tis a damnable leap out at this Balcony.Isab.And yet you are a dead Man, if you see him.Ant.Impudence, will you open the Door?Isab.I will, Sir, immediately.Lor.Devise some way to let me down,Or I will throw thee out; no Ladder of Ropes, no Device?—If a Man would not forswear Whoring for the futureThat is in my condition, I am no true Gentleman.Ant.Open, or I will break the Door.Isab.Hold the Door, and swear lustily that youAre my Husband, and I will in the mean timeProvide for your safety,Though I can think of none but the Sheets from the Bed.He holds the Door.Lor.Any thing to save my Life;—Sir, you may believe me upon my Honour,I am lawful Husband toIsabella,And have no designs upon your House or Honour.Isab.this while fastens the Sheets, which are to be suppos’d from the Bed, to the Balcony.Ant.Thou art some Villain.Lor.No, Sir, I am an honest Man, and married lawfully.Ant.Who art thou?Lor.Hast thou done?Isab.Yes, but you must venture hard.Isab.’TisLorenzo, Sir.Lor.A Pox on her, now am I asham’d to all eternity.Isab.Sir, let me beg you’l take his Word and Oath to night,And to morrow I will satisfy you.Lor.gets down by the Sheets.Ant.Look you make this good,Or you shall both dearly pay for’t.Lor.I am alive, yes, yes, all’s whole and sound,Which is a mercy, I can tell you;This is whoring now: may I turnFranciscan,If I could not find in my heart to do penanceInCamphire Posset, this Month, for this.—Well, I must to this Merchant of Love,And I would gladly be there before the Prince:For since I have mist here,I shall be amorous enough,And then I’ll provide forFrederick;For ’tis but just, although he be my Master,That I in these Ragousts should be his Taster.Exeunt.Scene V.Antonio’s House.EnterIsmenawith a Veil.Ism.Albertois not come yet, sure he loves me;But ’tis not Tears, and Knees, that can confirm me;No, I must be convinc’d by better Argument.—Deceit, if ever thou a Guide wert madeTo amorous Hearts, assist a Love-sick Maid.EnterAlberto.Alb.Your pleasure, Madam?—Oh that she would be brief,And send me quickly from her,For her Eyes will overthrow my purpose.Aside.Ism.Alberto, do you love me?Alb.No.Ism.No! have you deceiv’d me then?Alb.Neither,Clarina; when I told you so,By Heaven, ’twas perfect Truth.Ism.And what have I done since shouldMerit your Dis-esteem?Alb.Nothing but what has rais’d it.Ism.To raise your Esteem, then it seems, isTo lessen your Love; or, as most Gallants are,You’re but pleas’d with what you have not;And love a Mistress with great Passion, till you findYour self belov’d again, and then you hate her.Alb.You wrong my Soul extremely,’Tis not of that ungrateful nature;To love me is to me a greater CharmThan that of Wit or Beauty.Ism.I’m glad on’t, Sir; then I have pleasant News for you,I know a Lady, and a Virgin too,That loves you with such Passion,As has oblig’d me to become her Advocate.Alb.I am very much oblig’d to her,If there be any such.Ism.Upon my Life, there is; I am in earnest,The Lady is my Sister too.Alb.How,Clarina, this from you?Ism.Nay, I have promis’d her, that you shall love her too,Since both her Birth and Beauty merits you.Alb.Away, false Woman: I love your Sister!No, I will hate ye both.Ism.Why so Angry?Alas, it is against my Will I do it.Alb.Did you betray my Faith, when ’twas so easyTo give a credit to your tale of Love?—Oh Woman, faithless Woman!Ism.Alberto, with a world of shame I ownThat I then lov’d you, and must do so still:But since that Love must be accounted criminal,And that a world of danger does attend it;I am resolv’d, though I can never quit it,To change it into kind Esteem for you;And would ally you, Sir, as near to me,As our unkind Stars will permit me.Alb.I thank you, Madam: Oh, what a shame it is,To be out-done in Virtue, as in Love!Ism.Another favour I must beg of you,That you will tellAntoniowhat is past.Alb.How mean you, Madam?Ism.Why, that I love you, Sir,And how I have deceiv’d him into confidence.Alb.This is strange; you cannot mean it sure.Ism.When I intend to be extremely good,I would not have a secret Sin within,Though old, and yet repented too: no, Sir,Confession always goes with Penitence.Alb.Do you repent you that you lov’d me then?Ism.Not so; but that I did abuseAntonio.Alb.And can you think that this will cure his Jealousy?Ism.Doubtless it will, when he knows how needless ’tis;For when they’re most secure, they’re most betray’d:Besides, I did but act the part he made;And Ills he forces, sure he’ll not upbraid.Go seek outAntonio.Alb.You have o’ercome me, Madam, every way,And this your last Command I can obey;Your Sister too I’ll see, and will esteem,But you’ve my Heart, which I can ne’er redeem.Exeunt severally.ACT V.Scene I.Laura’sChamber.EnterLauraandClorislike a Boy, as before.Lau.Forward, dearCloris.Clo.And, Madam, ’twas upon a Holyday,It chanc’d PrinceFrederickcame into our Village,On some reports were made him of my Beauty,Attended only by the nobleCurtius:They found me in the Church at my Devotion,WhomFredericksoon distinguished from the rest;He kneel’d down by me, and instead of Prayer,He fell to praise—but ’twas my Beauty only;—That I could tell you, of my strange surprize!My Zeal was all disordered, and my EyesFed on the false, not real Sacrifice.—I wanted Art my Sentiments to hide,Which from my Eyes and Blushes soon he spy’d.Lau.And did you know him then?Clo.Not till he left me:—But, to be short, Madam, we parted there;But e’er he went he whisper’d in my ear,And sigh’d, Ah,Cloris! e’er you do depart,Tell me, where ’tis you will dispose my Heart?—Pray give me leave to visit it again,Your Eyes that gave can only ease my Pain.I, only blushing, gave him my consent;He paid his Thanks in Sighs, and from me went.That night, alas, I took but little rest;The new and strange Disorder in my BreastCan, Madam, only by your self be guest.Lau.I’ll not deny that I’m a Lover too,And can imagine what was felt by you.Clo.No sooner did the welcome Day appear,ButLuciabrought me word the Prince was there;His very Name disorder’d me much more,Than did his Sight or Touch the day before;So soon my rising Love grew up to power,So soon he did become my Conqueror.—How pale and trembling, when he did appear,I grew, he too had marks of Love and Fear.—But I’ll omit the many visits paid,Th’ unvalued Presents, and the Oaths he made,My kind Disputes on all his Letters writ,How all my Doubts were answer’d by his Wit;How oft he vow’d to marry me, whilst IDurst not believe the pleasing Perjury:—And only tell you, that one night he came,Led by designs of an impatient Flame;When all the House was silently asleep,Except my self, who Love’s sad Watch did keep;Arm’d with his Ponyard, and his Breast all bare,His Face all pale with restless Love and Fear;So many wild and frantick things he said,And so much Grief and Passion too betray’d,So often vow’d he’d finish there his Life,If I refus’d him to become his Wife;That I half-dying, said it should be so;Which though I fear’d, Oh, how I wish’d it too!Both prostrate on the Ground i’th’ face of Heaven,His Vows to me, and mine to him were given:—And then, oh, then, what did I not resign!With the assurance that the Prince was mine.Weeps.Lau.PoorCloris, how I pity thee!Since Fate has treated me with equal rigor;—Curtiusis banish’d,Frederickstill pursues me,And by a cruel Father I’m confin’d,And cannot go to serve my self or thee.One knocks.Lor.Without.SisterLaura, Sister.Lau.It is my Brother, would he would be kind,And set us free; he shall not see thee,And I’ll persuade him.As she putsClorisinto her Closet, enterLorenzowith a Letter.Lor.Hah, locking her Closet! now, were I a rightItalian, should I grow jealous, and enrag’d atI know not what: hah, Sister!What are you doing here?Open your Cabinet, and let me see’t.Lau.Sir, ’tis in disorder, and not worth your seeing now.Lor.’Tis so, I care not for that, I’ll see’t.Lau.Pray do not, Brother.Lor.Your denial makes me the more inquisitive.Lau.’Tis but my saying, he came from the Prince,And he dares not take it ill.Aside.—Here, Sir,Gives him the Key.Lor.And here’s for you too; a Letter fromCurtius,And therefore I would not open it: I took it upAt the Post-house.She reads, and seems pleas’d.Now if this should prove some surly Gallant of hers,And give me a slash o’er the Face for peepingI were but rightly serv’d;And why the Devil should I expect my Sister shouldHave more Virtue than my self?She’s the same flesh and blood: or why, becauseShe’s the weaker Vessel,Should all the unreasonable burden of the HonourOf our House, as they call it,Be laid on her Shoulders, whilst we may commitA thousand Villanies? but ’tis so—Here, open the Door;I’ll put her before me, however.She opens the Door, and brings outCloris.Lau.Sir, ’tisPhilibertfrom the Prince.Lor.Why, how now, Youngster, I see you intendTo thrive by your many Trades;So soon, so soon, i’faith? but, Sirrah,This is my Sister, and your Prince’s Mistress;Take notice of that.Clo.I know not what you mean.Lor.Sir, you cannot deceive me so;And you were right serv’d, you would be made fitFor nothing but the greatTurk’s Seraglio.Clo.You mistake my business, Sir.Lor.Your Blushes give you the lye, Sirrah;But for the Prince’s sake, and another reason I have,I will pardon you for once.Lau.He has not done a fault, and needs it not.Lor.Was he not alone with thee?And is not that enough? Well, I see I am noItalianIn Punctillio’s of honourable Revenge.There is but one experiment left to prove my self so;And if that fail, I’ll e’en renounce my Country.—Boy, harkye,—there is a certain kindnessYou may do me, and get your pardon for being found here.Clo.You shall command me any thing.Lor.Prithee how long hast thou been set up for thy self, Hah?Clo.As how, Sir?Lor.Poh, thou understand’st me.Clo.Indeed I do not, Sir; what is’t you mean?Lor.A smooth-fac’d Boy, and ask such a Question?Fy, fy, this Ignorance was ill counterfeitedTo me that understand the World.Clo.Explain your self, Sir.Lor.Lookye, ten or twenty Pistoles will do youNo hurt, will it?Clo.Not any, Sir.Lor.Why, so, ’tis well any thing will make theeApprehend.Clo.I shall be glad to serve you, Sir, without that fee.Lor.That’s kindly said—I see a Man must not be too easy of belief: had I been so,This Boy would have been at, what d’ye mean, Sir?And, Lord, I understand you not.Well,Philibert, here’s earnest to bind the Bargain;I am now in haste; when I see thee next,I’ll tell thee more.Lorenzowhispers toLaura.Clo.This ’tis to be a Favourite now;I warrant you I must do him some good office to the Prince,Which I’ll be sure to do.Lor.Nay, it must be done, for she has us’d me basely;Oh, ’tis a Baggage.Lau.Let me alone to revenge you onIsabella,Get me but from this Imprisonment.Lor.I will: whilst I hold the old Man in a dispute,Do you two get away; but be sure thou pay’st her home.Lau.I warrant you, Sir, this was happy;Now shall I seeCurtius.Lor.Philibert, I advise you to have a care ofWenching: ’twill spoil a good Face,And mar your better market of the two.Ex.Lor.Lau.Come, let us haste, and by the way, I’ll tell theeOf a means that may make us all happy.Exeunt.Scene II.A Grove.EnterAlbertomelancholy.Alb.Antoniosaid he would be here,I’m impatient till he come—EnterAntonio.Ant.Alberto, I have such a Project for thee!Alb.Hah—Gazes.Ant.What ails thee, art thou well?Alb.No.Ant.Where art thou sick?Alb.At Heart,Antonio, poison’d by thy Jealousy;—Oh, thou hast ruin’d me, undone my Quiet,And from a Man of reasonable Virtue,Hast brought me to a wild distracted Lover.Ant.Explain your self.Alb.Thou’st taught me, Friend, to loveClarina;Not, as I promis’d thee, to feign, but so,That I, unless I do possess that Object,I think must die; at best be miserable.Ant.How, Sir, have I done this?Alb.Yes, Antonio, thou hast done this.Ant.My dearAlberto, said you that you lov’d her?Alb.Yes,Antonio, against my will I do;As much against my will, as when I told her so;Urg’d by thy needless Stratagem.Ant.Name it no more, it was an idle Fault,Which I do so repent me,That if you find I should relapse again,Kill me, and let me perish with my Weakness:And were that true you tell me of your Passion,Sure I should wish to die, to make you happy.Alb.That’s kindly said, and I submit to you,And am content to be out-done in Amity.Ant.Yes, I’ll resign my Claims, and leave the World;Alberto, ’tis unkind to think I would be happyBy ways must ruin you:But sure you tell me this, but only to afflict me.Alb.’Tis truth,Antonio, I do loveClarina;And, what is yet far worse for thy repose,Believe my self so bless’d to be belov’d.Ant.How, to be belov’d by her!—Oh dire effects of Jealousy!Alb.All that you saw to day was only feign’d,To let you see, that even your Eyes and EarsMight be impos’d upon.Ant.Can it be possible!Alb.And now she thinks she is enough reveng’d;And lets you know, in her feign’d Scorn to me,That all your Sleights and Cunnings are but vain:She has deceiv’d them all, and by that Art,Gives you a Confidence, and me a Heart.Ant.I must confess, it is but just in herTo punish thus the Errors of my Fear;I do forgive her, from my Soul I do.—But, Sir, what satisfaction’s this to you?Alb.Clarinahappy, I’ll from Court retire,And by that Absence quench my Hopeless Fire:War I will make my Mistress, who may be,Perhaps, more kind than she has been to me;Where though I cannot conquer, ’twill allowThat I may die; that’s more than this will do.Ant.—Why did you, Sir, betray my Weakness to her?Though ’twas but what I did deserve from you.Alb.By all that’s good, she knew the Plot before,FromIsabella, who it seems o’erheard us,When you once press’d me to’t:And had we wanted Virtue, thoud’st been lost.Ant.I own the Crime;And first I beg thy Pardon,And after that will get it fromClarina;Which done, I’ll wait upon thee to the Camp,And suffer one year’s Penance for this Sin,Unless I could divert this Resolution,By a ProposalClarinabid me make you.Alb.What was it, Sir?Ant.I have a Sister, Friend, a handsome Virgin,Rich, witty, and I think she’s virtuous too;Return’d last Week from St.Teresia’sMonastery.Alb.Sure any thing that is to thee ally’d,Must find a more than bare Respect from me;Butcertain ’tisI ne’er shall love again,And have resolv’d never to marry any,Where Interest, and not Love, must join our hands.Ant.You cannot tell what Power there lies in Beauty;Come, you shall see her, and if after that,You find you cannot love her,We’ll both toCandia, where we both will proveRivals in Honour, as we’re now in Love.—But I’ad forgot to tell thee what I came for;I must this Evening beg your Company,Nay, and perhaps your Sword: come along with me,And by the way I’ll tell you the Adventure.Exeunt.Scene III.The Lodgings ofCurtius.EnterCurtiusandPietro, disguis’d as before.Cur.I wonder we hear no news yet of the Prince,I hope he’ll come;Pietro, be the Bravoes ready,And the Curtezans?Piet.My Lord, they’ll be here immediately, all well dress’d too.Cur.They be those Bravoes that belong to me?Piet.Yes, Sir, the same;ButAntoniois their Patron.Cur.They be stout and secret; ’tis well,Is the Music and all things ready?For I’ll not be seen till my Part is to be play’d.What Arms have they?Piet.Pistols, Sir, would you have other?Cur.No, I have not yet consider’d how to kill him,Nor scarce resolv’d to do so any way.What makes this strange Irresolution in me?—Sure ’tis the force of sacred Amity,Which but too strictly was observ’d by me.—My Prince, and Friend, my Wife, and Sister too;Shall not those last, the powerful first out-do?My Honour, and my Love, are there ingag’d,And here, by ties of Duty, I’m oblig’d:I satisfy but these, if he must bleed;But ruin the whole Dukedom in the Deed,The hopeful Heir of all their noble Spoils,And Joy and Recompence of all their Toils.—Why, so wasCloris,Lauratoo, to me,Which both were ravish’d from me, Prince, by thee.Knocks within.Piet.Sir, they be the Bravoes and Curtezans.Pietrogoes out.Cur.’Tis well, I need not talk with them,They understand their work.Piet.They do, my Lord, and shall be ready at your stamp;They are allNeapolitans, you know, Sir.Cur.Are they the better for that?Piet.Much, Sir, aVenetianwill turn to your Enemy,If he will give him but a Souse more than you have done;And yourMillanoiseare fit for nothing but toRob the Post or Carrier; aGenovesetooWill sooner kill by Usury than Sword or Pistol;ARomanfit for nothing but a Spy.Cur.Well, Sir, you are pleasant with my Countrymen.Piet.I’ll be so with my own too, Sir; and tell you,ThataMaltan, who pretendsto so much HonourAnd Gravity, are fit only to rob their NeighboursWith pretence of Piety,—AndaCicilianso taken up with Plots,How to killhisVice-Roy, that it keeps themFrom being Rogues to a less degree.But I have done, Sir, and beg your pardon.Cur.Didst leave the Letter, I commanded thee,ForLaura?Piet.I did, my Lord.EnterLorenzo.Lor.Well, here’s the Prince just coming.Cor.Pray, Sir, conduct him in,I’m ready for him.Ex.Cur.andPiet.Enter the Prince, conducted by two Women in Masquerade, with Lights, he endeavouring to take off their Masks.Ex. two Women.He walks about while this Song is singing.
Cur.Farewel, and thank thee.—PoorClorisdead, and banish’d too fromLaura!Was ever wretched Lover’s Fate like mine!—And he who injures me, has power to do so;—But why, where lies this Power about this Man?Is it his Charms of Beauty, or of Wit?Or that great Name he has acquir’d in War?Is it the Majesty, that holy something,That guards the Person of this Demi-god?This awes not me, there must be something more.For ever, when I call upon my Wrongs,Something within me pleads so kindly for him,As would persuade me that he could not err.—Ah, what is this? where lies this Power divine,That can so easily make a Slave of mine?
Cur.Farewel, and thank thee.
—PoorClorisdead, and banish’d too fromLaura!
Was ever wretched Lover’s Fate like mine!
—And he who injures me, has power to do so;
—But why, where lies this Power about this Man?
Is it his Charms of Beauty, or of Wit?
Or that great Name he has acquir’d in War?
Is it the Majesty, that holy something,
That guards the Person of this Demi-god?
This awes not me, there must be something more.
For ever, when I call upon my Wrongs,
Something within me pleads so kindly for him,
As would persuade me that he could not err.
—Ah, what is this? where lies this Power divine,
That can so easily make a Slave of mine?
Exeunt.
EnterFrederick, andClorisfinely dress’d.
Fred.’Tis much methinks, a Boy of so dejected,Humble Birth, should have so much of SenseAnd Soul about him.Clo.I know not that; but if I have a thoughtAbove that humble Birth or Education,It was inspir’d by Love.Fred.Still you raise my Wonder greater;—Thou a Lover?Clo.Yes, my Lord, though I am young,I’ve felt the power of Beauty;And should you look upon the Object, Sir,Your Wonders soon would cease;Each Look does even animate Insensibles,And strikes a reverend Awe upon the Soul:Nothing is found so lovely.Fred.Thou speak’st prettily, I think LoveIndeed has inspir’d thee.Clo.These were the Flatteries, Sir, she us’d to me;Of her it was I learn’d to speak, and sigh,And look, as oft you say, I do on you.Fred.Why then, it seems she made returns?Clo.Ah! Sir, ’twas I that first was blest,I first the happy Object was belov’d;For, ’twas a Person, Sir, so much above me,—It had been Sin to’ve rais’d my Eyes to her;Or by a glance, or sigh, betray my Pain.But Oh! when with a thousandsoftExpressions,She did encourage me to speak of Love!—My God! how soon extravagant I grew,And told so oft the story of my Passion,That she grew weary of the repeated Tale,And punish’d my presumption with a strange neglect.Weeps.Fred.How, my goodPhilibert?Clo.Would suffer me to see her Face no more.Fred.That was pity; without a Fault?Clo.Alas, Sir, I was guilty of no Crime,But that of having told her how I lov’d her;For all I had I sacrific’d to her;—Poor worthless Treasures to any but a Lover;And such you know accept the meanest things,Which Love and a true Devotion do present.When she was present, I found a thousand waysTo let her know how much I was her Slave;And absent, still invented new ones,And quite neglected all my little Business;Counting the tedious Moments of the DayBy Sighs and Tears; thought it an Age to night,Whose Darkness might secure our happy meeting:But we shall meet no more on these kind Terms.Sighs.Fred.Come, do not weep, sweet Youth, thou art too young,To have thy blooming Cheeks blasted with sorrow;Thou wilt out-grow this childish Inclination,And shalt see Beauties here, whose every glanceKindle new Fires, and quite expel the old.Clo.Oh, never, Sir.Fred.When I was first in love, I thought so too,But now with equal ardourI doat upon each new and beauteous Object.Clo.And quite forget the old?Fred.Not so; but when I see them o’er again,I find I love them as I did before.Clo.Oh God forbid, I should be so inconstant!No, Sir, though she be false, she has my Heart,And I can die, but not redeem the Victim.Fred.Away, you little Fool, you make me sadBy this resolve: but I’ll instruct you better.Clo.I would not make you sad for all the World.Sir, I will sing, or dance, do any thingThat may divert you.Fred.I thank thee,Philibert, and will acceptThy Bounty; perhaps it may allay thy Griefs awhile too.Clo.I’ll call the Musick, Sir.She goes out.Fred.This Boy has strange agreements in him.
Fred.’Tis much methinks, a Boy of so dejected,
Humble Birth, should have so much of Sense
And Soul about him.
Clo.I know not that; but if I have a thought
Above that humble Birth or Education,
It was inspir’d by Love.
Fred.Still you raise my Wonder greater;
—Thou a Lover?
Clo.Yes, my Lord, though I am young,
I’ve felt the power of Beauty;
And should you look upon the Object, Sir,
Your Wonders soon would cease;
Each Look does even animate Insensibles,
And strikes a reverend Awe upon the Soul:
Nothing is found so lovely.
Fred.Thou speak’st prettily, I think Love
Indeed has inspir’d thee.
Clo.These were the Flatteries, Sir, she us’d to me;
Of her it was I learn’d to speak, and sigh,
And look, as oft you say, I do on you.
Fred.Why then, it seems she made returns?
Clo.Ah! Sir, ’twas I that first was blest,
I first the happy Object was belov’d;
For, ’twas a Person, Sir, so much above me,—
It had been Sin to’ve rais’d my Eyes to her;
Or by a glance, or sigh, betray my Pain.
But Oh! when with a thousandsoftExpressions,
She did encourage me to speak of Love!
—My God! how soon extravagant I grew,
And told so oft the story of my Passion,
That she grew weary of the repeated Tale,
And punish’d my presumption with a strange neglect.Weeps.
Fred.How, my goodPhilibert?
Clo.Would suffer me to see her Face no more.
Fred.That was pity; without a Fault?
Clo.Alas, Sir, I was guilty of no Crime,
But that of having told her how I lov’d her;
For all I had I sacrific’d to her;
—Poor worthless Treasures to any but a Lover;
And such you know accept the meanest things,
Which Love and a true Devotion do present.
When she was present, I found a thousand ways
To let her know how much I was her Slave;
And absent, still invented new ones,
And quite neglected all my little Business;
Counting the tedious Moments of the Day
By Sighs and Tears; thought it an Age to night,
Whose Darkness might secure our happy meeting:
But we shall meet no more on these kind Terms.Sighs.
Fred.Come, do not weep, sweet Youth, thou art too young,
To have thy blooming Cheeks blasted with sorrow;
Thou wilt out-grow this childish Inclination,
And shalt see Beauties here, whose every glance
Kindle new Fires, and quite expel the old.
Clo.Oh, never, Sir.
Fred.When I was first in love, I thought so too,
But now with equal ardour
I doat upon each new and beauteous Object.
Clo.And quite forget the old?
Fred.Not so; but when I see them o’er again,
I find I love them as I did before.
Clo.Oh God forbid, I should be so inconstant!
No, Sir, though she be false, she has my Heart,
And I can die, but not redeem the Victim.
Fred.Away, you little Fool, you make me sad
By this resolve: but I’ll instruct you better.
Clo.I would not make you sad for all the World.
Sir, I will sing, or dance, do any thing
That may divert you.
Fred.I thank thee,Philibert, and will accept
Thy Bounty; perhaps it may allay thy Griefs awhile too.
Clo.I’ll call the Musick, Sir.She goes out.
Fred.This Boy has strange agreements in him.
EnterCloriswith Musick.
She bids them play, and dances a Jig.
This was wondrous kind, my prettyPhilibert.
Exeunt Musick.
EnterPage.
Page.Lorenzo, my Lord, begs admittance.
Fred.He may come in.ExitPage.
EnterLorenzo.
—Well,Lorenzo, what’s the News with thee?—How goes the price of Beauty, hah?Lor.My Lord, that question isa propostoWhat I have to say; this Paper will answer yourQuestion, Sir—Gives him a Paper, he reads.—Hah, I vow to gad a lovely Youth;Lor.gazes onPhil.But what makes he here withFrederick?This Stripling may chance to mar my market of Women now—’Tis a fine Lad, how plump and white he is;Aside.Would I could meet him somewhere i’th’ dark,I’d have a fling at him, and try whether IWere rightFlorentine.Fred.Well, Sir, where be these Beauties?Lor.I’ll conduct you to them.Fred.What’s the Fellow that brings them?Lor.AGrecian, I think, or something.Fred.Beauties fromGreece, Man!Lor.Why, let them be from the Devil,So they be new and fine, what need we care?—But you must go to night.Fred.I am not in a very good conditionTo make Visits of that kind.Lor.However, see them, and if you like them,You may oblige the Fellow to a longer stay,For I know they are handsome.Fred.That’s the only thing thou art judge of;—Well, go you and prepare them;AndPhilibert, thou shalt along with me;I’ll have thy Judgment too.Clo.Good Heaven, how false he is!Aside.Lor.What time will your Highness come?Fred.Two Hours hence.Ex.Fred.Lor.So then I shall have time to have a boutWith this jilting HuswifeIsabella,For my Fingers itch to be at her.Aside.Ex.Lorenzo.Clo.Not know me yet? cannot this Face inform him?My Sighs, nor Eyes, my Accent, nor my Tale?Had he one thought of me, he must have found me out.—Yes, yes, ’tis certain I am miserable;He’s going now to see some fresher Beauties,And I, he says, must be a witness of it;This gives me Wounds, painful as those of Love:Some Women now would find a thousand PlotsFrom so much Grief as I have, but I’m dull;Yet I’ll toLaura, and advise with her,Where I will tell her such a heavy Tale,As shall oblige her to a kind concern:—This may do; I’ll tell her of this Thought,This is the first of Art I ever thought on;And if this proves a fruitless Remedy,The next, I need not study, how to die.
—Well,Lorenzo, what’s the News with thee?
—How goes the price of Beauty, hah?
Lor.My Lord, that question isa proposto
What I have to say; this Paper will answer your
Question, Sir—Gives him a Paper, he reads.
—Hah, I vow to gad a lovely Youth;Lor.gazes onPhil.
But what makes he here withFrederick?
This Stripling may chance to mar my market of Women now—
’Tis a fine Lad, how plump and white he is;Aside.
Would I could meet him somewhere i’th’ dark,
I’d have a fling at him, and try whether I
Were rightFlorentine.
Fred.Well, Sir, where be these Beauties?
Lor.I’ll conduct you to them.
Fred.What’s the Fellow that brings them?
Lor.AGrecian, I think, or something.
Fred.Beauties fromGreece, Man!
Lor.Why, let them be from the Devil,
So they be new and fine, what need we care?
—But you must go to night.
Fred.I am not in a very good condition
To make Visits of that kind.
Lor.However, see them, and if you like them,
You may oblige the Fellow to a longer stay,
For I know they are handsome.
Fred.That’s the only thing thou art judge of;
—Well, go you and prepare them;
AndPhilibert, thou shalt along with me;
I’ll have thy Judgment too.
Clo.Good Heaven, how false he is!Aside.
Lor.What time will your Highness come?
Fred.Two Hours hence.Ex.Fred.
Lor.So then I shall have time to have a bout
With this jilting HuswifeIsabella,
For my Fingers itch to be at her.Aside.Ex.Lorenzo.
Clo.Not know me yet? cannot this Face inform him?
My Sighs, nor Eyes, my Accent, nor my Tale?
Had he one thought of me, he must have found me out.
—Yes, yes, ’tis certain I am miserable;
He’s going now to see some fresher Beauties,
And I, he says, must be a witness of it;
This gives me Wounds, painful as those of Love:
Some Women now would find a thousand Plots
From so much Grief as I have, but I’m dull;
Yet I’ll toLaura, and advise with her,
Where I will tell her such a heavy Tale,
As shall oblige her to a kind concern:
—This may do; I’ll tell her of this Thought,
This is the first of Art I ever thought on;
And if this proves a fruitless Remedy,
The next, I need not study, how to die.
Exeunt.
EnterLorenzo, meetsGuilliam, who passes by him, and takes no notice of him.
Lor.How now, Manners a few?
Guil.I cry you heartily, Sir, I did not see you.
Lor.Well, Sirrah, the News.
Guil.Sir, the Gentlewoman whom you sent me to says That she’ll meet you here.
Lor.That’s well, thou mayst come to be a States-man In time, thou art a fellow of so quick dispatch: But hark ye, Sirrah, there are a few Lessons I must learn you,Concerning Offices of this nature; But another time for that: but—Whispers.
EnterIsabella, andAntonio’s Valet.
Isab.Here he is; and prithee, when thou seest him in My Chamber, go and tell my Lord, Under pretence of the care you have of the Honour of his House.
Val.I warrant you, let me alone for a Tale, And a Lye at the end on’t; which shall not over-much Incense him, nor yet make him neglect coming.Ex.Val.
Lor.Oh, are you there, Mistress? what have you now To say for your last Night’s Roguery? Are not you a Baggage? confess.
Isab.You have a mind to lose your opportunity again, As you did last Night, have ye not? Pray God your own Shadow scare you not, As it did then; and you will possibly believe No body meant you harm then, nor now.
Lor.Art thou in earnest?
Isab.Are you in earnest?
Lor.Yes, that I am, and thatClarinashall find, If I once come to her.
Isab.Come, leave your frippery Jests, and come in.
Lor.Guilliam, be sure you attend me here, And whoever you see, say nothing; the best on’t is, Thou art not much known.Isab.andLor.go in.
Guil.Well, I see there is nothing butfouteringIn this Town; wou’d ourLuciawere here too for me, For all the Maids I meet with are so giglish And scornful, that a Man, as I am, Gets nothing but flouts and flings from them. Oh, for the little kind Lass that lives Under the Hill, of whom the Song was made; Which because I have nothing else to do, I will sing over now; hum, hum.
Ina Cottage by the MountainLives a very pretty Maid,Who lay sleeping by a Fountain,Underneath a Myrtle shade;Her Petticoat of wanton Sarcenet,The amorous Wind about did move,And quite unveil’d,And quite unveil’d the Throne of Love,And quite unveil’d the Throne of Love.
Ina Cottage by the Mountain
Lives a very pretty Maid,
Who lay sleeping by a Fountain,
Underneath a Myrtle shade;
Her Petticoat of wanton Sarcenet,
The amorous Wind about did move,
And quite unveil’d,
And quite unveil’d the Throne of Love,
And quite unveil’d the Throne of Love.
’Tis something cold, I’ll go take aNiperkinof Wine,Goes out.
EnterIsab.andLor.above, as frighted into the Balcony.
Lor.This was some trick of thine, I will be hang’d else.Isab.Oh, I’ll be sworn you wrong me;Alas, I’m undone by’t.Ant.at the Door knocks.Ant.Open the Door, thou naughty Woman.Lor.Oh, oh, what shall I do? what shall I do?Ant.Open the Door, I say.Lor.Oh, ’tis a damnable leap out at this Balcony.Isab.And yet you are a dead Man, if you see him.Ant.Impudence, will you open the Door?Isab.I will, Sir, immediately.Lor.Devise some way to let me down,Or I will throw thee out; no Ladder of Ropes, no Device?—If a Man would not forswear Whoring for the futureThat is in my condition, I am no true Gentleman.Ant.Open, or I will break the Door.Isab.Hold the Door, and swear lustily that youAre my Husband, and I will in the mean timeProvide for your safety,Though I can think of none but the Sheets from the Bed.He holds the Door.Lor.Any thing to save my Life;—Sir, you may believe me upon my Honour,I am lawful Husband toIsabella,And have no designs upon your House or Honour.Isab.this while fastens the Sheets, which are to be suppos’d from the Bed, to the Balcony.Ant.Thou art some Villain.Lor.No, Sir, I am an honest Man, and married lawfully.Ant.Who art thou?Lor.Hast thou done?Isab.Yes, but you must venture hard.Isab.’TisLorenzo, Sir.Lor.A Pox on her, now am I asham’d to all eternity.Isab.Sir, let me beg you’l take his Word and Oath to night,And to morrow I will satisfy you.Lor.gets down by the Sheets.Ant.Look you make this good,Or you shall both dearly pay for’t.Lor.I am alive, yes, yes, all’s whole and sound,Which is a mercy, I can tell you;This is whoring now: may I turnFranciscan,If I could not find in my heart to do penanceInCamphire Posset, this Month, for this.—Well, I must to this Merchant of Love,And I would gladly be there before the Prince:For since I have mist here,I shall be amorous enough,And then I’ll provide forFrederick;For ’tis but just, although he be my Master,That I in these Ragousts should be his Taster.
Lor.This was some trick of thine, I will be hang’d else.
Isab.Oh, I’ll be sworn you wrong me;
Alas, I’m undone by’t.Ant.at the Door knocks.
Ant.Open the Door, thou naughty Woman.
Lor.Oh, oh, what shall I do? what shall I do?
Ant.Open the Door, I say.
Lor.Oh, ’tis a damnable leap out at this Balcony.
Isab.And yet you are a dead Man, if you see him.
Ant.Impudence, will you open the Door?
Isab.I will, Sir, immediately.
Lor.Devise some way to let me down,
Or I will throw thee out; no Ladder of Ropes, no Device?
—If a Man would not forswear Whoring for the future
That is in my condition, I am no true Gentleman.
Ant.Open, or I will break the Door.
Isab.Hold the Door, and swear lustily that you
Are my Husband, and I will in the mean time
Provide for your safety,
Though I can think of none but the Sheets from the Bed.He holds the Door.
Lor.Any thing to save my Life;
—Sir, you may believe me upon my Honour,
I am lawful Husband toIsabella,
And have no designs upon your House or Honour.
Isab.this while fastens the Sheets, which are to be suppos’d from the Bed, to the Balcony.
Ant.Thou art some Villain.
Lor.No, Sir, I am an honest Man, and married lawfully.
Ant.Who art thou?
Lor.Hast thou done?
Isab.Yes, but you must venture hard.
Isab.’TisLorenzo, Sir.
Lor.A Pox on her, now am I asham’d to all eternity.
Isab.Sir, let me beg you’l take his Word and Oath to night,
And to morrow I will satisfy you.Lor.gets down by the Sheets.
Ant.Look you make this good,
Or you shall both dearly pay for’t.
Lor.I am alive, yes, yes, all’s whole and sound,
Which is a mercy, I can tell you;
This is whoring now: may I turnFranciscan,
If I could not find in my heart to do penance
InCamphire Posset, this Month, for this.
—Well, I must to this Merchant of Love,
And I would gladly be there before the Prince:
For since I have mist here,
I shall be amorous enough,
And then I’ll provide forFrederick;
For ’tis but just, although he be my Master,
That I in these Ragousts should be his Taster.
Exeunt.
EnterIsmenawith a Veil.
Ism.Albertois not come yet, sure he loves me;But ’tis not Tears, and Knees, that can confirm me;No, I must be convinc’d by better Argument.—Deceit, if ever thou a Guide wert madeTo amorous Hearts, assist a Love-sick Maid.
Ism.Albertois not come yet, sure he loves me;
But ’tis not Tears, and Knees, that can confirm me;
No, I must be convinc’d by better Argument.
—Deceit, if ever thou a Guide wert made
To amorous Hearts, assist a Love-sick Maid.
EnterAlberto.
Alb.Your pleasure, Madam?—Oh that she would be brief,And send me quickly from her,For her Eyes will overthrow my purpose.Aside.Ism.Alberto, do you love me?Alb.No.Ism.No! have you deceiv’d me then?Alb.Neither,Clarina; when I told you so,By Heaven, ’twas perfect Truth.Ism.And what have I done since shouldMerit your Dis-esteem?Alb.Nothing but what has rais’d it.Ism.To raise your Esteem, then it seems, isTo lessen your Love; or, as most Gallants are,You’re but pleas’d with what you have not;And love a Mistress with great Passion, till you findYour self belov’d again, and then you hate her.Alb.You wrong my Soul extremely,’Tis not of that ungrateful nature;To love me is to me a greater CharmThan that of Wit or Beauty.Ism.I’m glad on’t, Sir; then I have pleasant News for you,I know a Lady, and a Virgin too,That loves you with such Passion,As has oblig’d me to become her Advocate.Alb.I am very much oblig’d to her,If there be any such.Ism.Upon my Life, there is; I am in earnest,The Lady is my Sister too.Alb.How,Clarina, this from you?Ism.Nay, I have promis’d her, that you shall love her too,Since both her Birth and Beauty merits you.Alb.Away, false Woman: I love your Sister!No, I will hate ye both.Ism.Why so Angry?Alas, it is against my Will I do it.Alb.Did you betray my Faith, when ’twas so easyTo give a credit to your tale of Love?—Oh Woman, faithless Woman!Ism.Alberto, with a world of shame I ownThat I then lov’d you, and must do so still:But since that Love must be accounted criminal,And that a world of danger does attend it;I am resolv’d, though I can never quit it,To change it into kind Esteem for you;And would ally you, Sir, as near to me,As our unkind Stars will permit me.Alb.I thank you, Madam: Oh, what a shame it is,To be out-done in Virtue, as in Love!Ism.Another favour I must beg of you,That you will tellAntoniowhat is past.Alb.How mean you, Madam?Ism.Why, that I love you, Sir,And how I have deceiv’d him into confidence.Alb.This is strange; you cannot mean it sure.Ism.When I intend to be extremely good,I would not have a secret Sin within,Though old, and yet repented too: no, Sir,Confession always goes with Penitence.Alb.Do you repent you that you lov’d me then?Ism.Not so; but that I did abuseAntonio.Alb.And can you think that this will cure his Jealousy?Ism.Doubtless it will, when he knows how needless ’tis;For when they’re most secure, they’re most betray’d:Besides, I did but act the part he made;And Ills he forces, sure he’ll not upbraid.Go seek outAntonio.Alb.You have o’ercome me, Madam, every way,And this your last Command I can obey;Your Sister too I’ll see, and will esteem,But you’ve my Heart, which I can ne’er redeem.
Alb.Your pleasure, Madam?
—Oh that she would be brief,
And send me quickly from her,
For her Eyes will overthrow my purpose.Aside.
Ism.Alberto, do you love me?
Alb.No.
Ism.No! have you deceiv’d me then?
Alb.Neither,Clarina; when I told you so,
By Heaven, ’twas perfect Truth.
Ism.And what have I done since should
Merit your Dis-esteem?
Alb.Nothing but what has rais’d it.
Ism.To raise your Esteem, then it seems, is
To lessen your Love; or, as most Gallants are,
You’re but pleas’d with what you have not;
And love a Mistress with great Passion, till you find
Your self belov’d again, and then you hate her.
Alb.You wrong my Soul extremely,
’Tis not of that ungrateful nature;
To love me is to me a greater Charm
Than that of Wit or Beauty.
Ism.I’m glad on’t, Sir; then I have pleasant News for you,
I know a Lady, and a Virgin too,
That loves you with such Passion,
As has oblig’d me to become her Advocate.
Alb.I am very much oblig’d to her,
If there be any such.
Ism.Upon my Life, there is; I am in earnest,
The Lady is my Sister too.
Alb.How,Clarina, this from you?
Ism.Nay, I have promis’d her, that you shall love her too,
Since both her Birth and Beauty merits you.
Alb.Away, false Woman: I love your Sister!
No, I will hate ye both.
Ism.Why so Angry?
Alas, it is against my Will I do it.
Alb.Did you betray my Faith, when ’twas so easy
To give a credit to your tale of Love?
—Oh Woman, faithless Woman!
Ism.Alberto, with a world of shame I own
That I then lov’d you, and must do so still:
But since that Love must be accounted criminal,
And that a world of danger does attend it;
I am resolv’d, though I can never quit it,
To change it into kind Esteem for you;
And would ally you, Sir, as near to me,
As our unkind Stars will permit me.
Alb.I thank you, Madam: Oh, what a shame it is,
To be out-done in Virtue, as in Love!
Ism.Another favour I must beg of you,
That you will tellAntoniowhat is past.
Alb.How mean you, Madam?
Ism.Why, that I love you, Sir,
And how I have deceiv’d him into confidence.
Alb.This is strange; you cannot mean it sure.
Ism.When I intend to be extremely good,
I would not have a secret Sin within,
Though old, and yet repented too: no, Sir,
Confession always goes with Penitence.
Alb.Do you repent you that you lov’d me then?
Ism.Not so; but that I did abuseAntonio.
Alb.And can you think that this will cure his Jealousy?
Ism.Doubtless it will, when he knows how needless ’tis;
For when they’re most secure, they’re most betray’d:
Besides, I did but act the part he made;
And Ills he forces, sure he’ll not upbraid.
Go seek outAntonio.
Alb.You have o’ercome me, Madam, every way,
And this your last Command I can obey;
Your Sister too I’ll see, and will esteem,
But you’ve my Heart, which I can ne’er redeem.
Exeunt severally.
EnterLauraandClorislike a Boy, as before.
Lau.Forward, dearCloris.Clo.And, Madam, ’twas upon a Holyday,It chanc’d PrinceFrederickcame into our Village,On some reports were made him of my Beauty,Attended only by the nobleCurtius:They found me in the Church at my Devotion,WhomFredericksoon distinguished from the rest;He kneel’d down by me, and instead of Prayer,He fell to praise—but ’twas my Beauty only;—That I could tell you, of my strange surprize!My Zeal was all disordered, and my EyesFed on the false, not real Sacrifice.—I wanted Art my Sentiments to hide,Which from my Eyes and Blushes soon he spy’d.Lau.And did you know him then?Clo.Not till he left me:—But, to be short, Madam, we parted there;But e’er he went he whisper’d in my ear,And sigh’d, Ah,Cloris! e’er you do depart,Tell me, where ’tis you will dispose my Heart?—Pray give me leave to visit it again,Your Eyes that gave can only ease my Pain.I, only blushing, gave him my consent;He paid his Thanks in Sighs, and from me went.That night, alas, I took but little rest;The new and strange Disorder in my BreastCan, Madam, only by your self be guest.Lau.I’ll not deny that I’m a Lover too,And can imagine what was felt by you.Clo.No sooner did the welcome Day appear,ButLuciabrought me word the Prince was there;His very Name disorder’d me much more,Than did his Sight or Touch the day before;So soon my rising Love grew up to power,So soon he did become my Conqueror.—How pale and trembling, when he did appear,I grew, he too had marks of Love and Fear.—But I’ll omit the many visits paid,Th’ unvalued Presents, and the Oaths he made,My kind Disputes on all his Letters writ,How all my Doubts were answer’d by his Wit;How oft he vow’d to marry me, whilst IDurst not believe the pleasing Perjury:—And only tell you, that one night he came,Led by designs of an impatient Flame;When all the House was silently asleep,Except my self, who Love’s sad Watch did keep;Arm’d with his Ponyard, and his Breast all bare,His Face all pale with restless Love and Fear;So many wild and frantick things he said,And so much Grief and Passion too betray’d,So often vow’d he’d finish there his Life,If I refus’d him to become his Wife;That I half-dying, said it should be so;Which though I fear’d, Oh, how I wish’d it too!Both prostrate on the Ground i’th’ face of Heaven,His Vows to me, and mine to him were given:—And then, oh, then, what did I not resign!With the assurance that the Prince was mine.Weeps.Lau.PoorCloris, how I pity thee!Since Fate has treated me with equal rigor;—Curtiusis banish’d,Frederickstill pursues me,And by a cruel Father I’m confin’d,And cannot go to serve my self or thee.One knocks.Lor.Without.SisterLaura, Sister.Lau.It is my Brother, would he would be kind,And set us free; he shall not see thee,And I’ll persuade him.As she putsClorisinto her Closet, enterLorenzowith a Letter.Lor.Hah, locking her Closet! now, were I a rightItalian, should I grow jealous, and enrag’d atI know not what: hah, Sister!What are you doing here?Open your Cabinet, and let me see’t.Lau.Sir, ’tis in disorder, and not worth your seeing now.Lor.’Tis so, I care not for that, I’ll see’t.Lau.Pray do not, Brother.Lor.Your denial makes me the more inquisitive.Lau.’Tis but my saying, he came from the Prince,And he dares not take it ill.Aside.—Here, Sir,Gives him the Key.Lor.And here’s for you too; a Letter fromCurtius,And therefore I would not open it: I took it upAt the Post-house.She reads, and seems pleas’d.Now if this should prove some surly Gallant of hers,And give me a slash o’er the Face for peepingI were but rightly serv’d;And why the Devil should I expect my Sister shouldHave more Virtue than my self?She’s the same flesh and blood: or why, becauseShe’s the weaker Vessel,Should all the unreasonable burden of the HonourOf our House, as they call it,Be laid on her Shoulders, whilst we may commitA thousand Villanies? but ’tis so—Here, open the Door;I’ll put her before me, however.She opens the Door, and brings outCloris.Lau.Sir, ’tisPhilibertfrom the Prince.Lor.Why, how now, Youngster, I see you intendTo thrive by your many Trades;So soon, so soon, i’faith? but, Sirrah,This is my Sister, and your Prince’s Mistress;Take notice of that.Clo.I know not what you mean.Lor.Sir, you cannot deceive me so;And you were right serv’d, you would be made fitFor nothing but the greatTurk’s Seraglio.Clo.You mistake my business, Sir.Lor.Your Blushes give you the lye, Sirrah;But for the Prince’s sake, and another reason I have,I will pardon you for once.Lau.He has not done a fault, and needs it not.Lor.Was he not alone with thee?And is not that enough? Well, I see I am noItalianIn Punctillio’s of honourable Revenge.There is but one experiment left to prove my self so;And if that fail, I’ll e’en renounce my Country.—Boy, harkye,—there is a certain kindnessYou may do me, and get your pardon for being found here.
Lau.Forward, dearCloris.
Clo.And, Madam, ’twas upon a Holyday,
It chanc’d PrinceFrederickcame into our Village,
On some reports were made him of my Beauty,
Attended only by the nobleCurtius:
They found me in the Church at my Devotion,
WhomFredericksoon distinguished from the rest;
He kneel’d down by me, and instead of Prayer,
He fell to praise—but ’twas my Beauty only;
—That I could tell you, of my strange surprize!
My Zeal was all disordered, and my Eyes
Fed on the false, not real Sacrifice.
—I wanted Art my Sentiments to hide,
Which from my Eyes and Blushes soon he spy’d.
Lau.And did you know him then?
Clo.Not till he left me:
—But, to be short, Madam, we parted there;
But e’er he went he whisper’d in my ear,
And sigh’d, Ah,Cloris! e’er you do depart,
Tell me, where ’tis you will dispose my Heart?
—Pray give me leave to visit it again,
Your Eyes that gave can only ease my Pain.
I, only blushing, gave him my consent;
He paid his Thanks in Sighs, and from me went.
That night, alas, I took but little rest;
The new and strange Disorder in my Breast
Can, Madam, only by your self be guest.
Lau.I’ll not deny that I’m a Lover too,
And can imagine what was felt by you.
Clo.No sooner did the welcome Day appear,
ButLuciabrought me word the Prince was there;
His very Name disorder’d me much more,
Than did his Sight or Touch the day before;
So soon my rising Love grew up to power,
So soon he did become my Conqueror.
—How pale and trembling, when he did appear,
I grew, he too had marks of Love and Fear.
—But I’ll omit the many visits paid,
Th’ unvalued Presents, and the Oaths he made,
My kind Disputes on all his Letters writ,
How all my Doubts were answer’d by his Wit;
How oft he vow’d to marry me, whilst I
Durst not believe the pleasing Perjury:
—And only tell you, that one night he came,
Led by designs of an impatient Flame;
When all the House was silently asleep,
Except my self, who Love’s sad Watch did keep;
Arm’d with his Ponyard, and his Breast all bare,
His Face all pale with restless Love and Fear;
So many wild and frantick things he said,
And so much Grief and Passion too betray’d,
So often vow’d he’d finish there his Life,
If I refus’d him to become his Wife;
That I half-dying, said it should be so;
Which though I fear’d, Oh, how I wish’d it too!
Both prostrate on the Ground i’th’ face of Heaven,
His Vows to me, and mine to him were given:
—And then, oh, then, what did I not resign!
With the assurance that the Prince was mine.Weeps.
Lau.PoorCloris, how I pity thee!
Since Fate has treated me with equal rigor;
—Curtiusis banish’d,Frederickstill pursues me,
And by a cruel Father I’m confin’d,
And cannot go to serve my self or thee.One knocks.
Lor.Without.SisterLaura, Sister.
Lau.It is my Brother, would he would be kind,
And set us free; he shall not see thee,
And I’ll persuade him.As she putsClorisinto her Closet, enterLorenzowith a Letter.
Lor.Hah, locking her Closet! now, were I a right
Italian, should I grow jealous, and enrag’d at
I know not what: hah, Sister!
What are you doing here?
Open your Cabinet, and let me see’t.
Lau.Sir, ’tis in disorder, and not worth your seeing now.
Lor.’Tis so, I care not for that, I’ll see’t.
Lau.Pray do not, Brother.
Lor.Your denial makes me the more inquisitive.
Lau.’Tis but my saying, he came from the Prince,
And he dares not take it ill.Aside.
—Here, Sir,Gives him the Key.
Lor.And here’s for you too; a Letter fromCurtius,
And therefore I would not open it: I took it up
At the Post-house.She reads, and seems pleas’d.
Now if this should prove some surly Gallant of hers,
And give me a slash o’er the Face for peeping
I were but rightly serv’d;
And why the Devil should I expect my Sister should
Have more Virtue than my self?
She’s the same flesh and blood: or why, because
She’s the weaker Vessel,
Should all the unreasonable burden of the Honour
Of our House, as they call it,
Be laid on her Shoulders, whilst we may commit
A thousand Villanies? but ’tis so—
Here, open the Door;
I’ll put her before me, however.She opens the Door, and brings outCloris.
Lau.Sir, ’tisPhilibertfrom the Prince.
Lor.Why, how now, Youngster, I see you intend
To thrive by your many Trades;
So soon, so soon, i’faith? but, Sirrah,
This is my Sister, and your Prince’s Mistress;
Take notice of that.
Clo.I know not what you mean.
Lor.Sir, you cannot deceive me so;
And you were right serv’d, you would be made fit
For nothing but the greatTurk’s Seraglio.
Clo.You mistake my business, Sir.
Lor.Your Blushes give you the lye, Sirrah;
But for the Prince’s sake, and another reason I have,
I will pardon you for once.
Lau.He has not done a fault, and needs it not.
Lor.Was he not alone with thee?
And is not that enough? Well, I see I am noItalian
In Punctillio’s of honourable Revenge.
There is but one experiment left to prove my self so;
And if that fail, I’ll e’en renounce my Country.
—Boy, harkye,—there is a certain kindness
You may do me, and get your pardon for being found here.
Clo.You shall command me any thing.
Lor.Prithee how long hast thou been set up for thy self, Hah?
Clo.As how, Sir?
Lor.Poh, thou understand’st me.
Clo.Indeed I do not, Sir; what is’t you mean?
Lor.A smooth-fac’d Boy, and ask such a Question?Fy, fy, this Ignorance was ill counterfeitedTo me that understand the World.Clo.Explain your self, Sir.Lor.Lookye, ten or twenty Pistoles will do youNo hurt, will it?Clo.Not any, Sir.Lor.Why, so, ’tis well any thing will make theeApprehend.Clo.I shall be glad to serve you, Sir, without that fee.Lor.That’s kindly said—I see a Man must not be too easy of belief: had I been so,This Boy would have been at, what d’ye mean, Sir?And, Lord, I understand you not.Well,Philibert, here’s earnest to bind the Bargain;I am now in haste; when I see thee next,I’ll tell thee more.Lorenzowhispers toLaura.Clo.This ’tis to be a Favourite now;I warrant you I must do him some good office to the Prince,Which I’ll be sure to do.Lor.Nay, it must be done, for she has us’d me basely;Oh, ’tis a Baggage.Lau.Let me alone to revenge you onIsabella,Get me but from this Imprisonment.Lor.I will: whilst I hold the old Man in a dispute,Do you two get away; but be sure thou pay’st her home.Lau.I warrant you, Sir, this was happy;Now shall I seeCurtius.Lor.Philibert, I advise you to have a care ofWenching: ’twill spoil a good Face,And mar your better market of the two.Ex.Lor.Lau.Come, let us haste, and by the way, I’ll tell theeOf a means that may make us all happy.
Lor.A smooth-fac’d Boy, and ask such a Question?
Fy, fy, this Ignorance was ill counterfeited
To me that understand the World.
Clo.Explain your self, Sir.
Lor.Lookye, ten or twenty Pistoles will do you
No hurt, will it?
Clo.Not any, Sir.
Lor.Why, so, ’tis well any thing will make thee
Apprehend.
Clo.I shall be glad to serve you, Sir, without that fee.
Lor.That’s kindly said—
I see a Man must not be too easy of belief: had I been so,
This Boy would have been at, what d’ye mean, Sir?
And, Lord, I understand you not.
Well,Philibert, here’s earnest to bind the Bargain;
I am now in haste; when I see thee next,
I’ll tell thee more.Lorenzowhispers toLaura.
Clo.This ’tis to be a Favourite now;
I warrant you I must do him some good office to the Prince,
Which I’ll be sure to do.
Lor.Nay, it must be done, for she has us’d me basely;
Oh, ’tis a Baggage.
Lau.Let me alone to revenge you onIsabella,
Get me but from this Imprisonment.
Lor.I will: whilst I hold the old Man in a dispute,
Do you two get away; but be sure thou pay’st her home.
Lau.I warrant you, Sir, this was happy;
Now shall I seeCurtius.
Lor.Philibert, I advise you to have a care of
Wenching: ’twill spoil a good Face,
And mar your better market of the two.Ex.Lor.
Lau.Come, let us haste, and by the way, I’ll tell thee
Of a means that may make us all happy.
Exeunt.
EnterAlbertomelancholy.
Alb.Antoniosaid he would be here,I’m impatient till he come—
Alb.Antoniosaid he would be here,
I’m impatient till he come—
EnterAntonio.
Ant.Alberto, I have such a Project for thee!
Alb.Hah—Gazes.
Ant.What ails thee, art thou well?
Alb.No.
Ant.Where art thou sick?
Alb.At Heart,Antonio, poison’d by thy Jealousy;—Oh, thou hast ruin’d me, undone my Quiet,And from a Man of reasonable Virtue,Hast brought me to a wild distracted Lover.Ant.Explain your self.Alb.Thou’st taught me, Friend, to loveClarina;Not, as I promis’d thee, to feign, but so,That I, unless I do possess that Object,I think must die; at best be miserable.Ant.How, Sir, have I done this?Alb.Yes, Antonio, thou hast done this.Ant.My dearAlberto, said you that you lov’d her?Alb.Yes,Antonio, against my will I do;As much against my will, as when I told her so;Urg’d by thy needless Stratagem.Ant.Name it no more, it was an idle Fault,Which I do so repent me,That if you find I should relapse again,Kill me, and let me perish with my Weakness:And were that true you tell me of your Passion,Sure I should wish to die, to make you happy.Alb.That’s kindly said, and I submit to you,And am content to be out-done in Amity.Ant.Yes, I’ll resign my Claims, and leave the World;Alberto, ’tis unkind to think I would be happyBy ways must ruin you:But sure you tell me this, but only to afflict me.Alb.’Tis truth,Antonio, I do loveClarina;And, what is yet far worse for thy repose,Believe my self so bless’d to be belov’d.Ant.How, to be belov’d by her!—Oh dire effects of Jealousy!Alb.All that you saw to day was only feign’d,To let you see, that even your Eyes and EarsMight be impos’d upon.Ant.Can it be possible!Alb.And now she thinks she is enough reveng’d;And lets you know, in her feign’d Scorn to me,That all your Sleights and Cunnings are but vain:She has deceiv’d them all, and by that Art,Gives you a Confidence, and me a Heart.Ant.I must confess, it is but just in herTo punish thus the Errors of my Fear;I do forgive her, from my Soul I do.—But, Sir, what satisfaction’s this to you?Alb.Clarinahappy, I’ll from Court retire,And by that Absence quench my Hopeless Fire:War I will make my Mistress, who may be,Perhaps, more kind than she has been to me;Where though I cannot conquer, ’twill allowThat I may die; that’s more than this will do.Ant.—Why did you, Sir, betray my Weakness to her?Though ’twas but what I did deserve from you.Alb.By all that’s good, she knew the Plot before,FromIsabella, who it seems o’erheard us,When you once press’d me to’t:And had we wanted Virtue, thoud’st been lost.Ant.I own the Crime;And first I beg thy Pardon,And after that will get it fromClarina;Which done, I’ll wait upon thee to the Camp,And suffer one year’s Penance for this Sin,Unless I could divert this Resolution,By a ProposalClarinabid me make you.Alb.What was it, Sir?Ant.I have a Sister, Friend, a handsome Virgin,Rich, witty, and I think she’s virtuous too;Return’d last Week from St.Teresia’sMonastery.Alb.Sure any thing that is to thee ally’d,Must find a more than bare Respect from me;Butcertain ’tisI ne’er shall love again,And have resolv’d never to marry any,Where Interest, and not Love, must join our hands.Ant.You cannot tell what Power there lies in Beauty;Come, you shall see her, and if after that,You find you cannot love her,We’ll both toCandia, where we both will proveRivals in Honour, as we’re now in Love.—But I’ad forgot to tell thee what I came for;I must this Evening beg your Company,Nay, and perhaps your Sword: come along with me,And by the way I’ll tell you the Adventure.
Alb.At Heart,Antonio, poison’d by thy Jealousy;
—Oh, thou hast ruin’d me, undone my Quiet,
And from a Man of reasonable Virtue,
Hast brought me to a wild distracted Lover.
Ant.Explain your self.
Alb.Thou’st taught me, Friend, to loveClarina;
Not, as I promis’d thee, to feign, but so,
That I, unless I do possess that Object,
I think must die; at best be miserable.
Ant.How, Sir, have I done this?
Alb.Yes, Antonio, thou hast done this.
Ant.My dearAlberto, said you that you lov’d her?
Alb.Yes,Antonio, against my will I do;
As much against my will, as when I told her so;
Urg’d by thy needless Stratagem.
Ant.Name it no more, it was an idle Fault,
Which I do so repent me,
That if you find I should relapse again,
Kill me, and let me perish with my Weakness:
And were that true you tell me of your Passion,
Sure I should wish to die, to make you happy.
Alb.That’s kindly said, and I submit to you,
And am content to be out-done in Amity.
Ant.Yes, I’ll resign my Claims, and leave the World;
Alberto, ’tis unkind to think I would be happy
By ways must ruin you:
But sure you tell me this, but only to afflict me.
Alb.’Tis truth,Antonio, I do loveClarina;
And, what is yet far worse for thy repose,
Believe my self so bless’d to be belov’d.
Ant.How, to be belov’d by her!
—Oh dire effects of Jealousy!
Alb.All that you saw to day was only feign’d,
To let you see, that even your Eyes and Ears
Might be impos’d upon.
Ant.Can it be possible!
Alb.And now she thinks she is enough reveng’d;
And lets you know, in her feign’d Scorn to me,
That all your Sleights and Cunnings are but vain:
She has deceiv’d them all, and by that Art,
Gives you a Confidence, and me a Heart.
Ant.I must confess, it is but just in her
To punish thus the Errors of my Fear;
I do forgive her, from my Soul I do.
—But, Sir, what satisfaction’s this to you?
Alb.Clarinahappy, I’ll from Court retire,
And by that Absence quench my Hopeless Fire:
War I will make my Mistress, who may be,
Perhaps, more kind than she has been to me;
Where though I cannot conquer, ’twill allow
That I may die; that’s more than this will do.
Ant.—Why did you, Sir, betray my Weakness to her?
Though ’twas but what I did deserve from you.
Alb.By all that’s good, she knew the Plot before,
FromIsabella, who it seems o’erheard us,
When you once press’d me to’t:
And had we wanted Virtue, thoud’st been lost.
Ant.I own the Crime;
And first I beg thy Pardon,
And after that will get it fromClarina;
Which done, I’ll wait upon thee to the Camp,
And suffer one year’s Penance for this Sin,
Unless I could divert this Resolution,
By a ProposalClarinabid me make you.
Alb.What was it, Sir?
Ant.I have a Sister, Friend, a handsome Virgin,
Rich, witty, and I think she’s virtuous too;
Return’d last Week from St.Teresia’sMonastery.
Alb.Sure any thing that is to thee ally’d,
Must find a more than bare Respect from me;
Butcertain ’tisI ne’er shall love again,
And have resolv’d never to marry any,
Where Interest, and not Love, must join our hands.
Ant.You cannot tell what Power there lies in Beauty;
Come, you shall see her, and if after that,
You find you cannot love her,
We’ll both toCandia, where we both will prove
Rivals in Honour, as we’re now in Love.
—But I’ad forgot to tell thee what I came for;
I must this Evening beg your Company,
Nay, and perhaps your Sword: come along with me,
And by the way I’ll tell you the Adventure.
Exeunt.
EnterCurtiusandPietro, disguis’d as before.
Cur.I wonder we hear no news yet of the Prince,I hope he’ll come;Pietro, be the Bravoes ready,And the Curtezans?Piet.My Lord, they’ll be here immediately, all well dress’d too.Cur.They be those Bravoes that belong to me?Piet.Yes, Sir, the same;ButAntoniois their Patron.Cur.They be stout and secret; ’tis well,Is the Music and all things ready?For I’ll not be seen till my Part is to be play’d.What Arms have they?Piet.Pistols, Sir, would you have other?Cur.No, I have not yet consider’d how to kill him,Nor scarce resolv’d to do so any way.What makes this strange Irresolution in me?—Sure ’tis the force of sacred Amity,Which but too strictly was observ’d by me.—My Prince, and Friend, my Wife, and Sister too;Shall not those last, the powerful first out-do?My Honour, and my Love, are there ingag’d,And here, by ties of Duty, I’m oblig’d:I satisfy but these, if he must bleed;But ruin the whole Dukedom in the Deed,The hopeful Heir of all their noble Spoils,And Joy and Recompence of all their Toils.—Why, so wasCloris,Lauratoo, to me,Which both were ravish’d from me, Prince, by thee.Knocks within.Piet.Sir, they be the Bravoes and Curtezans.Pietrogoes out.Cur.’Tis well, I need not talk with them,They understand their work.Piet.They do, my Lord, and shall be ready at your stamp;They are allNeapolitans, you know, Sir.Cur.Are they the better for that?Piet.Much, Sir, aVenetianwill turn to your Enemy,If he will give him but a Souse more than you have done;And yourMillanoiseare fit for nothing but toRob the Post or Carrier; aGenovesetooWill sooner kill by Usury than Sword or Pistol;ARomanfit for nothing but a Spy.Cur.Well, Sir, you are pleasant with my Countrymen.Piet.I’ll be so with my own too, Sir; and tell you,ThataMaltan, who pretendsto so much HonourAnd Gravity, are fit only to rob their NeighboursWith pretence of Piety,—AndaCicilianso taken up with Plots,How to killhisVice-Roy, that it keeps themFrom being Rogues to a less degree.But I have done, Sir, and beg your pardon.Cur.Didst leave the Letter, I commanded thee,ForLaura?Piet.I did, my Lord.
Cur.I wonder we hear no news yet of the Prince,
I hope he’ll come;Pietro, be the Bravoes ready,
And the Curtezans?
Piet.My Lord, they’ll be here immediately, all well dress’d too.
Cur.They be those Bravoes that belong to me?
Piet.Yes, Sir, the same;
ButAntoniois their Patron.
Cur.They be stout and secret; ’tis well,
Is the Music and all things ready?
For I’ll not be seen till my Part is to be play’d.
What Arms have they?
Piet.Pistols, Sir, would you have other?
Cur.No, I have not yet consider’d how to kill him,
Nor scarce resolv’d to do so any way.
What makes this strange Irresolution in me?
—Sure ’tis the force of sacred Amity,
Which but too strictly was observ’d by me.
—My Prince, and Friend, my Wife, and Sister too;
Shall not those last, the powerful first out-do?
My Honour, and my Love, are there ingag’d,
And here, by ties of Duty, I’m oblig’d:
I satisfy but these, if he must bleed;
But ruin the whole Dukedom in the Deed,
The hopeful Heir of all their noble Spoils,
And Joy and Recompence of all their Toils.
—Why, so wasCloris,Lauratoo, to me,
Which both were ravish’d from me, Prince, by thee.Knocks within.
Piet.Sir, they be the Bravoes and Curtezans.Pietrogoes out.
Cur.’Tis well, I need not talk with them,
They understand their work.
Piet.They do, my Lord, and shall be ready at your stamp;
They are allNeapolitans, you know, Sir.
Cur.Are they the better for that?
Piet.Much, Sir, aVenetianwill turn to your Enemy,
If he will give him but a Souse more than you have done;
And yourMillanoiseare fit for nothing but to
Rob the Post or Carrier; aGenovesetoo
Will sooner kill by Usury than Sword or Pistol;
ARomanfit for nothing but a Spy.
Cur.Well, Sir, you are pleasant with my Countrymen.
Piet.I’ll be so with my own too, Sir; and tell you,
ThataMaltan, who pretendsto so much Honour
And Gravity, are fit only to rob their Neighbours
With pretence of Piety,
—AndaCicilianso taken up with Plots,
How to killhisVice-Roy, that it keeps them
From being Rogues to a less degree.
But I have done, Sir, and beg your pardon.
Cur.Didst leave the Letter, I commanded thee,
ForLaura?
Piet.I did, my Lord.
EnterLorenzo.
Lor.Well, here’s the Prince just coming.Cor.Pray, Sir, conduct him in,I’m ready for him.
Lor.Well, here’s the Prince just coming.
Cor.Pray, Sir, conduct him in,
I’m ready for him.
Ex.Cur.andPiet.
Enter the Prince, conducted by two Women in Masquerade, with Lights, he endeavouring to take off their Masks.
Ex. two Women.He walks about while this Song is singing.