Some private words together. Giov. O my lord,

How grossly have we overshot ourselves!
San. In what, sir?

Giov. In forgetting to acquaint

My guardian with our purpose. All that Lydia Can do, avails us nothing-if the duke

Find out the truth from him.

San. 'Tis now past help,

And we must stand the hazard-Hope the best, sir!

[Exeunt GIOVANNI and SANAZARro.

Car. My loyalty doubted, sir?

Coz. 'Tis more. Thou hast

Abused our trust, and, in a high degree,
Committed treason.

Car. Treason! 'Tis a word

My innocence understands not. Were my breast
Transparent, and my thoughts to be discerned,
Not one spot shall be found to taint the candour
Of my allegiance. And I must be bold
To tell you, sir (for he that knows no guilt
Can know no fear), 'tis tyranny to o'er-charge
An honest man; and such, till now, I've lived;
And such, my lord, I'll die.

Coz. Sir, do not flatter

Yourself with hope, these great and glorious words,

(Which every guilty wretch, as well as you, That's armed with impudence, can with ease deliver,

And with as full a mouth) can work on us;
Nor shall gay flourishes of language clear
What is, in fact, apparent.

Car. Fact! What fact?

You, that know only what it is, instruct me,
For I am ignorant.

Coz. This, then, sir. We gave up
(On our assurance of your truth and care)
Our nephew Giovanni, nay, our heir
In expectation, to be trained up by you
As did become a prince.

Car. And I discharged it.
Is this the reason?

Coz. Take us with you, sir.

He might make some unworthy choice, before
His weaker judgment was confirmed, we did
Remove him from it; constantly presuming
You, with your best endeavours, rather would
Have quenched those heats in him, than light a
torch,

As you have done, to his looseness.
Car. I! my travail

Is ill-requited, sir; for, by my soul,

I was so curious that way, that I granted
Access to none could tempt him, nor did ever
One syllable, or obscene accent, touch
His ear, that might corrupt him.

Coz. No! Why, then,

With your allowance did you give free way

To all familiar privacy, between

My nephew and your daughter? Or why did you
(Had you no other ends in it but our service)
Read to them, and, together, as they had been
Scholars of one form, grammar, rhetoric,
Philosophy, history, and interpret to them
The close temptations of lascivious poets?
Or wherefore (for we still had spies upon you)
Was she still present, when, by your advice,
He was taught the use of his weapon, horseman
ship,

Wrestling, nay, swimming, but to fan in her
A hot desire of him? And, then, forsooth,
His exercises ended, covered with

A fair pretence of recreation for him,
When Lydia was instructed in those graces
That add to beauty, he brought to admire her,
Must hear her sing, while to her voice, her hand
Made ravishing music; and, this applauded,
dance

A light levalto with her?

Car. Have you ended

All you can charge me with?

Coz. Nor stopped you there,

But they must, unattended, walk into
The silent groves, and hear the amorous birds
Warbling their wanton notes; here, a sure shade
Of barren sycamores, which the all-seeing sun
Could not pierce through; near that, an arbour
hung

With spreading eglantine; there, a bubbling spring

Watering a bank of hyacinths and lillies,
With all allurements that could move to love.
And could this, Charomonte, (should I grant
They had been equals both in birth and fortune,)
Become your gravity? Nay, 'tis clear as air,
That your ambitious hopes to match your daugh-

(Blest be his memory) that made frequent proofs
Of my loyalty and faith, and, would I boast
The dangers I have broke through in his service,
I could say more. Nay, you yourself, dread sir,
Whenever I was put into the test,

Found me true gold, and not adulterate metal;
And am I doubted now?

Coz. This is from the purpose.

Car, I will come to it, sir; your grace well
knew,

Before the prince's happy presence made
My poor house rich, the chiefest blessing which

VOL. II.

I gloried in (though now it prove a curse), Was an only daughter. Nor did you coinmand me,

As a security to your future fears,

To cast her off: Which had you done, howe'er
She was the light of my eyes, and comfort of
My feeble age; so far I prized my duty
Above affection, she now had been
A stranger to my care. But she is fair!
Is that her fault or mine? Did ever father
Hold beauty in his issue for a blemish?
Her education and her manners tempt, too.
If these offend, they're easily removed:
You may, if you think fit, before my face,
In recompense of all my watchings for you,
With burning corrosives transform her to
An ugly leper; and this done, to taint
Her sweetness, prostitute her to a loathsome bro-
thel.

This I will rather suffer, sir, and more,
Than live suspected by you.

Coz. Let not passion
Carry you beyond your reason.
Car. I am calm, sir;

Yet you must give me leave to grieve, I find
My actions misinterpreted. Alas! sir,
Was Lydia's desire to serve the prince
Called an offence? Or did she practice to
Seduce his youth, because, with her best zeal
And fervour, she endeavoured to attend him?
Tis a hard construction-Though she be my
daughter,

I
may thus far speak her. From her infancy
She was ever civil, her behaviour nearer
Simplicity than craft; and malice dares not
Affirm, in one loose gesture, or light language,
She gave a sign she was in thought unchaste.
I'll fetch her to you, sir; and but look on her
With equal eyes, you must, in justice, grant
That your suspicion wrongs her.

Coz. It may be;

But I must have stronger assurance of it
Than passionate words. And, not to trifle time,
As we came unexpected to your house,
We will prevent all means that may prepare her
How to answer that, with which we come to
charge her.

And howsoever it may be received
As a foul breach of hospitable rites,
On thy allegiance and boasted faith,
Nay, forfeit of thy head, we do contine thee
Close prisoner to thy chamber, till all doubts
Are cleared that do concern us.

Car. I obey, sir,

And wish your grace had followed my hearse
To my sepulchre, my loyalty unsuspected,
Rather than now.-But I am silent, sir,
And let that speak my duty.

Coz. If this man

[Exit CAROLO,

Enter GIOVANNI and SANAZARRO, ushering in PETRONELLA. CALANDRINO and others, setting forth a banquet.

San. Sir.

Coz. Bring Lydia forth.

Giov. She comes, sir, of herself,

To present her service to you.
Coz. Ha! This personage

Cannot invite affection.

San. See you keep state.

Pet. I warrant you.

Coz. The manners of her mind

Must be transcendent, if they can defend

Her rougher out-side. May we, with your liking,

Salute you, lady?

Pet. Let me wipe my mouth, sir,

Coz. What a sight is this! We could be angry with you.

How much you did belye her, when you told us

at you.

Coz. Can this be possible?

San. Yes, sir, you will find her

Such as I gave her to you.

Pet. Will your dukeship

Sit down and eat some sugar-plumbs? Here's a castle

Of march pane, too, and this quince-marmalade
Was of my own making; all summed up together
Did cost the setting on; and here is wine, too,
[Drinks all off.
As good as ever was tapped: I'll be your tapster;
For I know the fashion-Now you must do me
right, sir;

You shall, nor will, nor choose.
Giov. She's very simple.

Coz. Simple! 'tis worse. Do you drink thus
often, lady?

Pet. Still when I am thirsty, and eat when I am hungry.

Such junckets come not every day. Once more

to you,

With a heart and a half, i'faith.

Coz. Pray you, pause a little;

If I hold your cards I shall pull down the side; I am not good at the game.

Pet. Then I'll drink for you.

Coz. Nay, pray you stay. I'll find you out a pledge

That shall supply my place; what think you of This complete signior? You are a Juno, and in such state

Must feast this Jupiter. What think you of him? Pet. I desire no better.

Coz. And you will undertake this service for me?

You are good at the sport.

Caland. Who, I? A pidler, sir.

Coz. Nay, you shall sit enthroned, and eat and drink

As you were a duke.

Caland. If your grace will have me, I'll eat and drink like an emperor.

Coz. Take your place, then;

Beyond belief.

Giov. I would not speak her, sir, Worse than she was.

San. And I, my lord, chose rather To deliver her better parted than she is, Than to take from her.

[Dance.

Than yet I have discovered. Some Edipus
Resolve this riddle!

Pet. Did I not foot it roundly? [Falls down.
Coz. As I live, stark-drunk. Away with her.
We'll reward you,

When you have cooled yourselves in the cellar.
Caup. Heaven preserve you. [Exeunt Dancers.
Coz. We pity Charomonte's wretched fortune
In a daughter, nay, a monster. Good old mau !
The place grows tedious: Our removal shall be
With speed. We'll only, in a word or two,
Take leave and comfort him.

We now acknowledge the much wrong we did you
In our unjust suspicion. We have seen
The wonder, sir, your daughter.

Car. And have found her

Such as I did report her. What she wanted
In courtship, was, I hope, supplied in civil
And modest entertainment.

Coz. Pray you, tell us,

And truly we command you, did you never
Observe she was given to drink?
Car. To drink, sir?

Coz. Yes. Nay, more, to be drunk.
Car. I had rather see her buried.

Coz. Dare you trust your own eyes,

her now

More than distempered?

Car. I will pull them out, sir,

if you find

If your grace can make this good. And if you

She was presented to you.

Coz. It shall yield

No sport to the contrivers. 'Tis too plain now.
Her presence does confirm what Contarino
Delivered of her; nor can sickness dim
The splendour of her beauties: being herself,
then,

She must exceed his praise.

Lyd. Will your grace hear me? I am faint, and can say little.

Coz. Here are accents,

Whose every syllable is musical!

Pray you let me raise you, and a-while rest here.
False Sanazarro, treacherous Giovanni !
But stand we talking?

Car. Here's a storm soon raised.

Coz. As thou art our subject, Charomonte,

swear

To act what we command.

Car. That is an oath

I long since took.

Coz. Then, by that oath we charge thee,
Without excuse, denial, or delay,

To apprehend, and suddenly, Sanazarro,
And our ungrateful nephew. We have said it.
Do it without reply, or we pronounce thee,
Like them, a traitor to us. See them guarded
In several lodgings, and forbid access
To all, but when we warrant.
Is our will
Heard sooner than obeyed?

Car. These are strange turns!
But I must not dispute them.

Coz. Be severe in it.

[Exit CAROLO,

O my abused lenity! From what height
Is my power fallen!

Lyd. O me most miserable!

That, being innocent, make others guilty :
Most gracious prince!-

Coz. Pray you rise, and then speak to me.
Lyd. My knees shall first be rooted in this

earth,

Unfortunate virgins like myself shall wear, Before I'll make petition to your greatness

gered

As I would do to Heaven. You princes are
As gods on earth to us, and to be sued to
With such humility, as his deputies

May challenge from their vassals.

Coz. Here's that form

Of language I expected; pray you, speak :
What is your suit?

Lyd. That you would look upon me

As an humble thing, that millions of degrees Is placed beneath you. For what an I, dread sir?

Or what can fall in the whole course of my life, That may be worth your care, much less your trouble?

As the lowly shrub is to the lofty cedar,
Or a mole-hill to Olympus, if compared,
I am to you, sir. Or, suppose the prince,
(Which cannot find belief in me) forgetting
The greatness of his birth and hopes, hath
thrown

An eye of favour on me, in me punish
(That am the cause) the rashness of his youth.
Shall the queen of the inhabitants of the air,
The eagle, that bears thunder on her wings,
In her angry mood, destroy her hopeful young,
For suffering a wren to perch too near them?
Such is our disproportion.

Coz. With what fervour
She pleads against herself!
Lyd. For me, poor maid,

I know the prince to be so far above me,
That my wishes cannot reach him. Yet I am
So much his creature, to fix him in
Your wonted grace and favour, I'll abjure
His sight for ever, and betake myself
To a religious life (where in my prayers

I may remember him) and ne'er see man more,

SCENE I.

SANAZARRO above.

But my ghostly father. Will you trust me, sir?
In truth I'll keep my word; or, if this fail,
A little more of fear what may befall him,
Will stop my breath for ever!

Coz. Had you thus argued

[Raises her.

As you were yourself, and brought as advocates
Your health and beauty, to make way for you,
No crime of his could put on such a shape
But I should look with the eves of mercy on it.
What would I give to see this diamond

In her perfect lustre, as she was before
The clouds of sickness dimmed it! Yet, take
comfort,

And, as you would obtain remission for
His treachery to me, cheer your drooping spirits,
And call the blood again into your cheeks,
And then plead for him; and in such a habit
As in your highest hopes you would put on,
If we were to receive you for our bride.
Lydia. I'll do my best, sir.
Coz. And that best will be
A crown of all felicity to me.

San. 'Tis proved in me, the curse of human frailty

(Adding to our afflictions) makes us know What's good; and yet our violent passions force

us

To follow what is ill. Reason assured mne
It was not safe to shave a lion's skin;
And that to trifle with a sovereign, was
To play with lightning: Yet imperious beauty,
Treading upon the neck of understanding,
Compelled me to put off my natural shape
Of loyal duty, to disguise myself
In the adulterate and cobweb masque
Of disobedient treachery. Where is now
My borrowed greatness? or the promised lives
Of following courtiers echoing my will?

In a moment vanished. Power, that stands not on
Its proper base, which is peculiar only
To absolute princes, falls or rises with
Their frown or favour. The great duke, my

master,

(Who almost changed me to his other self)
No sooner takes his beams of comfort from me,
But I, as one unknown, or unregarded,
Unpitied suffer! Who makes intercession
To his mercy for me now? Who does remember
The service I have done him? Not a man!
And such as spake no language, but my lord,
The favourite of Tuscany's grand duke,
[Looks backwards.
Deride my madness, Ha! what noise of horses?

[Exeunt.

A goodly troop! This back-part of my prison
Allows me liberty to see and know them.
Contarino! Yes, 'tis he; and Lodovico :
And the duchess Fiorinda, Urbin's heir,
A princess I have slighted; yet I wear
Her favours. And, to teach me what I am,
She whom I scorned can only mediate for me.
This way she makes, yet speak to her I dare not;
And how to make a suit to her, is a task
Of as much difficulty-Yes, thou blessed pledge
[Takes off the ring, and writes on a pane
of glass.]

Of her affection, aid me. This supplies
The want of pen and ink, and this of paper.
It must be so; and I in my petition
Concise and pithy.

Enter CONTARINO, leading in FIORINDA, ALPHONSO, LODOVICO, HIERONIMO, CALAMINTA,

Fio. 'Tis a goodly pile, this.

Hier. But bettered by the owner.
Alph. But most rich

In the great states it covers.

Fio. The duke's pleasure Commands us hither.

Con. Which was laid on us

To attend you to it.

Lod. Signior Charomonte,

To see your excellence his guest, will think
Himself most happy.

Fio. Tie my shoe. What's that?

[The pane thrown down, A pane thrown from the window, no wind stirring? Cala. And at your feet too fallen; there's something writ on it.