can doe more and will Wee haue a heart to do 't our much greeu'd sister I know you doe not weare this sadnesse for Our presence Ast If I 'ue any skill in mine owne eyes Since they beheld you they haue looked More cheerefully then they are wont Duke And yet I see a teare is ready to breake prison Ast. It is of ioy to see you sit in health I hope the Prince is well Duke He will bee so Astella when he leaues to be vnkind To thee but let 's forget him Dulc. Fame ha's not Iniur'd him in the Character of his person And his shape promiseth a richer Soule I feele a new and fierie spirit dance Vpon my amorous heart-strings Duke We are come My faire Cleona Cleon. With your Highnesse pardon That name was neuer so attended it Becomes your bountie but not me to weare That Title Duke What Cleon Of faire my Lord Duke I said you were my faire Cleona Cleona Sir Duke I did apply I hope 't does not offend to call you so Y' are yet my Subiect Cleon. When I leaue that name may Heauen Duke Be pleas'd to change it for a better Cleona It cannot Duke Doe not sinne t is in our power With your consent to worke that wonder Lady Cleona I want my vnderstanding Duke I le explaine Cleona Doe not beleeue it youth by all the faith Of Virgins I le not change my seruice to Thy Master for his Dukedome Dulc Y' are too noble Duke What boy is that Ha Giotto Dulc. Madam the Duke obserues vs. Dulc. I ha seene him It is no common face Soran. My Lord we know not Duke Where is Grimundo Giot. Not yet come my Lord. Duk. Send for him streight and bid him bring the picture We gaue into his keeping yet forbeare It is in vaine Sor. My Lord Cleona waites Your farther Courtship Duke Whither am I carried Cleon I hope dread Sir my house affords no obiect To interrup your quiet Duke None but Heauenly 〈◊〉 this roofe be capable of ill 〈◊〉 onely presence Lady would conuert it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rtuous Magick in your eye For where soere it calls a beame it does Create a goodnesse y 'aue a handsome boy Dulc. The Duke is troubled Cleona He 's a prettie youth Dulc. I hope he wo'not take me from my Lady I 'e say I am her Seruant Duke Something bindes My speech my heart is narrow of a suddaine Giotto take some opportunity To enquire that youthe condition name and Country And giue vs priuate knowledge to cut off * Circumstance Lady I am not your fresh And vnacquainted Louer that doth wast Soranzo whispers with Iacomo The tedious Moones with preparation To his amoâ—…ous suite I haue beene Cleona A long admirer of your vertues and Doe want the comfort or so sweet a Partner In our young state Cleon. You mocke your humble handmaid Soran A stranger sayest Iacom He brought some welcome Letter To my Lady Soranz. Not know his name nor whence Iacom. No my good Lord. So so I like this well My Lady does apply her to the Duke There is some hope agen things may succeed This Lords discoursing with me is an Omen To my familiarity with Greatnesse Duke Grimundo not come yet I am not well Cle. Good Heauen defend Angels protect your Highnes Duke Your holy prayers cannot but doe me good Continue that Deuotion Charitie Will teach you a consent to my departure Cleon. I am vnhappy Duke Make not me so Lady By the least trouble of your selfe I am Acquainted with these passions let me breath A hart vpon thy lip farewell agen Your pardon Exit Soranz 'T is a very strange distemper And suddaine noble Lady we must waite Vpon the Duke Exeunt Iacom. My bud is niptagen Would all the Banquet were in his belly for 't Dulc. Let not my eyes betray me Iac. I 'm sicke too Let not your Ladiship repent your cost I le haue a care the Sweet meates bee not lost Exit Cleon. Acquaint him with these passages of the Duke Tell him I long to see him and at last To crowne the story say my heart shall know No other Loue but his Dulc I flye with this Good newes Exit D. Enter Iac. Iac. Madam here is Prince Lodwicke Newly discoach'd Cleon Attend him Iac Most officiously Cleon Stay it can doe no harme Ast. Eene what you please Cleon. If he enquire for his Lady answer She is not very well and keepes her Chamber Iac. I le say she 's dead if you please 't is my duty I le neuer speake truth while I liue that shall Offend your Ladiship Cleon You may heare all Enter Lodwieke and Piero. And when you please appeare Lodw Sicke where 's her Doctor I le be acquainted with him noble Lady Cleon Your Grace is here most welcome Lodw I am bold Piero I 'm happy that my duty to the Prince Brought me to kisse your hand Cl. Beside the honour done to me your person Will adde much comfort to Astella your Weake Lady Lodw She is sicke mend let her mend shee le spend her time worse yet she knowes my minde and might doe mee the curtesie to die once I de take it more kindly then to be at charge with a Phisitian Cleon You wo'd not poyson her Lodw I thinke I must be driuen to 't what shall a man doe with a woman that wo'not be ruled I ha giuen cause enough to breake any reasonable womans heart in Savoy and yet you see how I am troubled with her but leaue her to the Destinies where is my Brother all this while I came to meet him what i st a match alreadie when shall we daunce and tryumph in the Tilt-yard for honour of the high and mighty nuptials where is he Cleon My Lord he is gone Lodw How Cleona Distempered Lodw. Not with wine Cleon Departed sicke Lodw She jeeres him by this lip I le loue thee and thou wot abuse him I knew he would but shame himselfe and therefore durst not come with him for mine owne credit I warrant he came fierce vpon thee with some parcell of Poetry which he had con'd by hart out of Tasso Guarrini or some other of the same melting Tribe and thought to haue brought thy Maiden Towne to his obedience at the first noyse of his furious Artillerie Cleon. My Lord you vnderstand me not your Brother Is not in health some vnkind paine within him Compeld him to forsake vs Lodw. Is it true That he is sicke my Brothers sicke Piero. Pier. I am very well here 1. Lady So am not I pray Sir appeare more ciuill Or I shall leaue you Lodw True Cleona T is too true my Lord. Lodw No no truth is a vertuous thing and we cannot haue too much on 't d' ee heare if I may counsell you be wise and stay for me you may bee my wife within this Moneth and the Durchesse too Cleon Your Wife my Lord why you are married What Shall become of her Lodw Is
Sonne first Sor. The walke of Princes To make prouision betiâ—…es for thâ—…m They can bequeath small legacie knowing th' heyre Carries both state and fortune for himselfe His fateâ—… before him here comes Grimundo â—… Enter Grimundo Grim The Duke is recollected where 's the Prince Sor. Gone I would he were return'd once to himselfe Giot. He has to soone forgot your precepts Sor. Your example might still be a Lecture Grim. I did not deceiue the old Dukes trust While I had power to manage him Hee 's now past my tuition but to th' Duke Is it not strange my Lord that the Young Lady Of Millan should bâ—… forc'd to marry now with Her Vncle Giot. They 're vnequall Sor. 'T is vnlawfull Grim. 'T is a trifle reasons of State they vrgâ—… Against vs leaâ—…t their Dnkedome by this match â—…e subiect vnto Sauoy for the scruplâ—… Oâ—… Religion they are in hope that A Dispensation may bee procur'd To quit exceptions and by this meanes They shall preserue their Principality I' th name and blood so reports Fabrichio Whom the Duke imployed for Treaty how now Enter Gentleman Gent. The Duke cals for you my Lords Giot. We attend Ha he is comming forth Enter Duke and Fabrichio Sor His lookes are cheerefull Duke Fabrichio Fabr My Lord Duke Wee will to Tennis Fabr. What your Grace please Duke Grimundo Because you take no pleasure in such pastiâ—…es Your contemplation may busie it selfe with that booke Grim. Booke my Lord it is Duke Leonora's picture a fairâ—… Table-booke You may without offence to your yonng Wife Looke on a Picture I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it let 〈◊〉 sâ—…e't â—…o mâ—…re Millan and we are parted our breast weares Againe his naturall Temper allow me pray The excuse of common frailty to be moued At strangenesse of this newes Giot. Your Highnesse said You would to Tennis Duke And'tis time enough Wee haue the day before vs some Prince Grimundo In such a cause as this would haue beene angry Angrie indeed throw'ne of cold language and Call'd it a high and loud affront whose stirring Imagination would haue wakened Death And by a miserable warre haue taught Repentance to a paire of flourishing States Such things there haue beene Sor. But your Grace is wise Duke Nay doe not flatter now I doâ—… not Court Your praise so much I speake but what our stories Mention if they abuse not soft posteritie I was not come to tell you what my thoughts With a strong murmure prompt me too Grim. We hope Duke Ye feare and do not know me yet my actions Shall cleare your jealousie I 'me reconcil'd At home and while I cherisht a peace here Abroad I must continue it there are More Ladiesi'the world Fabr. Most true my Lord. Duke And as attractiue great and glorious women Are there not ha Sor. Plenty my Lord i' the world Duke i the world within the confines of our Dukedome In Sauoy are there not Grim. In Sauoy too Many choice beauties but your birth my Lord Duke Was but an honour purchas'd by another It might haue beene thy chance Grim My Father was No Duke Duke 'T was not thy fault nor i st my vertue That I was borne when the fresh Sunne was rising So came with greater shadow into life Then thou or hee Grim But royall Sir be pleas'd Duke No more wee are not ignorant you may Take away this distinction and alledge In your graue wisedomes spacious arguments For our alliance with some forraigne Prince But we haue weighed their promising circumstance And find it onely a deuice that may Serue time and some darke ends a mere state-tricke To disguise hatred and is emptie of Those benefits it seemes to bring along Giue me a Ladie borne in my obedience Whose disposition will not engage A search into the nature of her Climate Or make a serutinie into the Starres Whose language is mine owne and will not need A smooth Interpreter whose vertue is Aboue all titles though her birth or fortune Bâ—… a Degree beneath vs such a Wife Were worth a thousand farre fetch'd Brides that haue More state and lesse Deuotion Fabr. If your Highnesse Duke Come you shall know our purpose in the last We obey'd your directions not without Our free and firme allowance of the Ladie Whom wee 'l forget it will become your duties Follow vs now wee haue not beene vnthrifty In our affections and that Millan may Know Sauoy can neglect a Millanoise And that we need not borrow a delight Heere we are fixt to marry Grim. We are Subiects And shall solicite Heauen you may find one Worthy your great acceptance Duke Wee are confident And to put off the cloud wee walke in know Wee are resolu'd to place all Loue and Honour Vpon Cleona Nor i st a nâ—…w affection wee but cherish Some seedes which heretofore her vertue had Scattered vpon our heart Grim. We cannot be Ambitious of a Lady in your owne Dominion to whom we shall more willingly Prostrate our duties Soren. She 's a Lady of A flowing sweetnesse and the liuing vertue Of many noble Ancestors Giot. In whom Their fortunes meet as their Propheticke Soules Had taught them thrifty prouidence for this Great honour you intend her Duke Wee are pleas'd And thanke your generall vote You then shall straight prepare our visit beare our Princely respects and say wee shall take pleasure To bee her Guest to day nay loose no time Wee shall the sooner quit the memorie Of Leonoraes Image Enter Lodwicke Soren The Prince your Brother Sir Duke Withdraw but be not at too much distance Lodwicke Y' are welcome Lodw. I shall know that by my successe I want A thousand Crownes a thousand Crownes Duke For what vse Lodw. Why will these foolish questions ne're be left Is' t not sufficient I would borrow em But you must still capitulate with me I would put 'em to that vse they were ordain'd for You might as well haue ask'd me when I meant To pay you againe Duke That to some other men Might ha beene necessarie Lodw And you wo'not Doe that I haue another easie Suite to you Duke What is' t Lodw. A thing of nothing I wo'd entreat you To part with this same transitorie honour This trifle cal'd a Dukedome and retire Like a good Christian Brother into some Religious house it would be a great ease to you And comfort to your friends especially To mee that would not trouble you with the noyse Of money thus and I could helpe it Du. T is a kind and honest motion out of Charity Meere Charity so I must needs accept it I le onely marry and get a Boy or two To gouerne this poore trifle for I 'me bound In duty to prouide for my Succession Lodw. What doe you make of me cannot I serue Duke You that propound a benefit for my Soule Wo not neglect your owne I know wâ—…e'le both Turne Fryers together Lodw. And bee low sie Duke Any thing Lodw. I shall not haue a thousand Crownes Duke
Thou shalt Lodw. Then be a Duke still come le ts loue and bee Fine Princes and thou hadst but two or three Of my conditions by this hand I wod not Care and thou were immortall so I might Liue with thee and enioy this worlds felicity Duke T hast put me in tune how shall 's bee very merry Now in the instant Lodw. Merry Duke Yes Lodw. Merry indeed Duke Yes Lodw. Follow me I le bring you to a Lady Duke To a Whore Lodw. That is a little the courser name Duke And can you play the Pander for me Lodw. A toy a toy What can a man doe lesse for any Brother Th' ordinary complement now a dayes with great ones Wee prostitute our Sisters with lesse scruple Then eating flesh on vigils 't is out of fashion To trust a Seruant with our priuate sinnes The greater tye of blood the greater faith And therefore Parents haue beene held of late The safest wheeles on which the childrens lust Hath hurried into act with supple greatnesse Nature doth weare a vertuous charme and will Doe more in soft compassion to the sinne Then gold or swelling promises Duke O Lodwicke These things doe carry Horror he is lost I feare no I ha thought a something else You shall with me to a Lady Lodw. With all my heart Duke Vnto my Mistresse Lodw. Your Mistresse who 's that Duke The faire Cleona Lodw. She is honest Du. Yes were she otherwise she were not worthy my visit Not to loose circumstance I loue her Lodw. How Duke Honestly Lodw. You doe not meane to marry her Duke It sha'not be my fault if she refuse To bee a Dutchesse Lodw. A' my Conscience You are in earnest Duke As I hope to thriue in my desires come You shall beare me company and witnesse How I woe her Lodw. I commend Your nimble resolution then a Wife Must bee had somewhere wo'd y 'ad mine to ceole Your appetite take your owne course I can But pray for you the thousand Crownes Duke Vpon Condition you 'l not refuse to Accompany Lodw Your Caroach quickly stay Now I thinke better on 't my Wife liues with her They are Companions I had forgot that Duke Shee 'l take it kindly Lodw. It were enough to put her Into conceipt I come in loue to her My Constitution will not beare it Duke What Not see her Lodw. Yet a thousand Crownes God buy Condemne me to my wife Exit Duke Yee heare Gentlemen Grim With griefe my Lord and wonder at your sufferance Duke He is our Brother we are confident Though he be wild he loues vs t will become Vs t' pray and leaue him to a myracle But to our owne affaire Loue and thy golden arrow we shall try How you le decide our second Destiny Exeunt Eâ—…er Foscary with a Letter Fosc A kisse and then t is scaled this she should know Better then the impression which I made With the rude signet t is the same she left Vpon my lip when I departed from her And I haue kept it warme still with my breath That in my prayers hath mentioned her Enter Dulcino Dulc. My Lord Fosc Dulcino welcome thou art soone return'd How dost thou like the Citie Dulc T is a heape of handsome building Fosc And how the people Dulc My conuersation hath not age enough To speake of them more then they promise well In their aspect but I haue argument Enough in you my Lord to fortifie Opinion they are kind and hospitable To strangers Fosc Thy indulgence to my wound Which owes a cure vnto thy pretty Surgery Hath made thee too much Prisoner to my Chamber But wee shall walke abroad Dulc It was my duty Since you receiu'd it in my cause and could My blood haue wrought it sooner it had beene Your balmy Fountaine Fosc Noble youth I thanke thee Enter Servant How now didst speake with him Ser. I had the happinesse my Lord to meete him VVaiting vpon the Duke abroad hee bad mee Make hast with the remembrance of his Seruice Hee le bring his owne ioyes with him instantly To welcome your returne Fosc. Didst thou request His secresie Ser I did he promis'd silence Fosc. So I le expect him thou art sad Dulcino I prophesie thou shalt haue cause to blesse The minute that first brought vs to acquaintance Dulc. Doe not suspect my Lord I am so wicked Not to doe that already you haue saued My life and therefore haue deseru'd that duty Fosc Name it no more I meane another way Dulc. It is not in your power to make me richer With any benefit shall succeed it though I should liue euer with you Fosc I require Not so much gratitude Dulc There is no way Left for my hope to doe you any seruice Neere my preseruing but by adding one New fauour to a suit which I would name Fosc. To me I prethee speake It must be something I can deny thee Dulc T is an humble suite You license my departure Fosc. Whither Dulc. Any whether Fosc. Doe you call this a way to doe me seruice Dulc. It is the readiest I can study Sir To tarry were but to increase my debt And wast your fauours in my absence I May publish how much vertue I haue found In Sauoy and make good vnto your fame What I doe owe you here this shall suruine you For I will speake the story with that truth And strength of passion it shall doe you honour And dwell vpon your name sweeter then mythe When wee are both dead Fosc Thou hast art to moue In all things but in this change thy desire And I le deny thee nothing doe not vrge Thy vnkind departure thou hast met perhaps With some that haue deceiu'd thee with a promise Wonne with thy pretty lookes and presence but Trust not a great man most of them dissemble Pride and Court cunning hath betrayed their faith To a secure Idolatry their soule Is lighter then a complement take heede They 'l flatter thy to young ambition Feed thee with names and then like subtle Chimists Hauing extracted drawne thy Spirit vp Laugh they haue made thee miserable Dulc Let No jealousie my Lord render me so Vnhappy that preferment or the flatteries Of any great man hath seduc'd my will To leaue you by my life and your owne honour No man hath tempted me not haue I chang'd A syllable with any Fose Any man Still I suspect thy safetie And thou mayst thus deceiue me it may be Some wanton Lady hath beheld thy face And from her eyes shot Cupids into thine To abuse that fight or wrought vpon thy frailty With their smooth language to vndoe thy selfe Trust not the innocencâ—… of thy Soule too farre For though their bosomes carry whitenesse thinke It is not snow they dwell in a hot Clymate The Court where men are but deceitfull shadowes The womâ—…n walking flames what if this Lady Bestow a wealthy Carkanet vpon thee Another giue thee Wardrobes a third promise A chaine of
she not sicke Cleona But are you sure shee le dye Lodw What a ridiculous question do you make if death wo'not take a faire course with her are there not reasons enough in state thinke you to behead her or if that seeme cruell because I do not affect bloud but for very good ends I can be diuorc'd from her and leaue her rich in the Title of Lady Dowager Cleona Vpon what offence can you pretend a Diuorce Lodw Because she is not fruitfull is not that a sinne Cleon. Would your Lordship haue her fruitfull and you Ne're lye with her Lodw. Haue not I knowne a Lady whose husband is an Eunuch vpon Record mother to three or foure children and no free conscience but commends her Cleon. But these things wo not be easily perfect vnlesse You were Duke to enforce em Lodw. Is not my brother in the way sicke already and perhaps as fit for Heauen as an other I know hee cannot lâ—…ue long he 's so well giuen they neuer thriue and then d'â—… thinke ilâ—… keepe such a Religious Court in this corner lodge a Couey of Capouchins who shall zealously pray for mee without stockins in that a nest of Carthusians things which in fiâ—… turne to Otters appeare flesh but really are fish for that they feede on no no giue me a Court of flourishing pleasure where delight in all her shapes and studied varieties euery minute courts the Soule to actuate her chiefe felicitie Cleon. Doe you neuer thinke of Hell Lodw. Faith I doe but it alwayes makes me melancholy and therefore as seldome as I can my contemplation shall point thither I am now in the spring of my life winter will come on fast enough when I am old I will be as methodicall an hypocrite as any paire of lawne sleeues in Sauoy Cleon. I dare not heare him longer Madam releaâ—…e me Enter Astella Lodw. How now whence come you were you sicke Ast. At heart my Lord to thinke of your vnkindnesse Lodw. At heart I le nere beleeue without inspection am I vnkind goe to there 's not a friend in the whole world can wiâ—…h you better would you were Canonis'd a Saint 't is more then I wish my selfe yet I doe not trouble thee much on earth and thou wert in Heauen I would not pray to thee for feare of diâ—…turbing thy Serapâ—…icall deuâ—…tion Ast. What sinne haue I committed Sir deserues This distance Cleon. In Christian charitie salute her Lodw. I would not haue your Ladiship too veâ—…trous The ayre is some what cold and may endanger A weake body Ast. There 's an other duty my Lord required froÌ„ husband Lodw. My Madam would to rutte hath your honour no pretty dapper Monkey each morning to giue you a heat in a dance is not your Doctor gamesome Ast. If the suspition that I am vnchast Lodw. Vnchast by this hand I doe not know one honest woman iâ—… the Dukedome Cleon. How my Lord â—…hat doe you thinke of me Lodw. â—… know not whether you be a woman or no yet Cleon. Fye my Lord. Lodw. What would you haue me doe I haue not seene her this sixe Moneths Cleon. Oh rather my Lord conclude my sufferings Tâ—… thus with tortures lengthen out my death Oâ—… kill me and I beseech you I will kisse The instrument which guided by your hand Shall giue my griefe a period and pronounce Enter Grimuâ—…do With my last breath your free for giuenesse Lodw. No kill your selfe more good will come on'â—… how now nay then w' are like to haue a precious time on 't Cleon. The Duke my Lord enquir'd for you Grim. I met His Highnesse in returne and he employ'd me To bring backe knowledge of his better health Which hee sayes shall enable him but to Expâ—…esse how much he honours faire Cleona Cleon. I am his studious Seruant and reioyâ—…e In this good newes your Brother is recouered Lodw. II I knew he would doe well enough now Sir Grim I haue some businesse with you my Lord Were you at opportunitie Lodw. Some morall exhortations they are fruitlesse I shall neuer eat garlike with Diogenes in a Tub and speculaâ—… the Starres without a shirt prethee enioy thy Religion and liue at last most Phylosophy call lousie Grim My designe is of an other nature Cleon May I obtaine so great a fauour Sir You 'ld be my Guâ—…t in absence of the Duke I 'm but ambitious to remember His health in Greeke-wine Lodw. So this Lady will be temperate and vse mee but like a stranger without pressing me to inconueniences of kissing her and other superstitious Courtship of a Husband Cleona I will engage shee le not offend you Lodw. And yet it goes against my conscience to tarry so long in honest company but my 〈◊〉 is I doe not vse it come away Piero you haue had a fine time on 't Cleona My Lord. Grim I follow Madam yet haue comfort Though reason and example 〈◊〉 our feares Heauen will not let you loose so many teares Enter Foscari and Dulcino Fosc. Did she receiue my Letter with such ioy Dulc. I wont expresâ—…on my Lord to giue you The circumstance with a flowing Loue Or rather with what glad deuotion She entertain'd it at your very name For so I guest to which her couetous sight Made the first hasâ—…e one might haue seene her heart Dance in her eyes and as the wonder stroue To make her pale warme loue did fortifie Her cheekes with guiltie blushes she did read And kisse the paper often mingled questions Some halfe propounded as her Soule had beene Too narrow to receiue what you had writ She quite forgot Fosc This was before the Duke Came thither Dulc Yes my Lord. Fosc And didst thou not Obserue her at his presence slacke that feruour Hâ—…r former passion had begot of me Was shee not coâ—…tly to him boy Dulc. So farre As her great birth and breeding might direct A Lady to behaue her selfe to him That was her Prince Fosc. She kiss'd him did she not Dulc. She kiss'd Fosc. He did salute her Dulc. Yes my Lord. Fosc And didst not see a flame hang on her lip A spirit busie to betray her loue And in a sigh conuey it to him Oh Thou canst not read a woman did he not Woe her to be his Dutchesse Dulc Yes my Lord. Fosc Thou shouldst ha watcht her châ—…eke then there a blush Had cene a guilt indeed a feeble answere With halfe a smile had beene an argument â—…ee had beene lost and the temptation Aboue her strength which hâ—…d I knowne I could Ha slept and neuer beene disturb'd although I had met her in a dreame Dulc My Lord you weaâ—…e A causelesse trouble to your selfe Fosc Oh Iealousie I am asham'd Dulc. If euer woman lou'd With faith Cleona honours you aboue Mankind 't were sinne but to suspect so chast So furnish'd with all vertue your Cleona Fosc. It were indeed I am too blame Dulcino Yet when thou com'st to beso ripe for so Much miserie as
my sorrow is Fosâ—…ari Dead since I saw thee last Or hath some wound Or other dire misfortune seal'd him for The graue that though he yet liue I may bid My heart dispaire to see him Dulc. None of these Since last I saw you Madam Cleona None of these Then I despise all sorrow boy there is Not left another mischiefe in my fate Call home thy beautie why dost looke so pale See I am arm'd and can with valiant bloud Heare thee discourse of my terrour row Me thinkes I can in the assurance of His safety heare of Battailes Tempest Death With all the horrid shapes that Poets fancie Tell me the tale of Troy or Rome on fire Rich in the trophies of the conquered world I will not shed so many teares to saue The temples as my ioy doth sacrifice To heare my Lord is well Dulc. Turne them to griefe Agen and here let me kneele the accuser Of him that hath deseru'd more punishment Then your wrong'd pietie will inflict Cleon Dost kneele And call thy selfe accuser Dulc. Yes Cleon. Of whom Thy Lord take heed for if I be a Iudge I shall condemne thee ere thou speake Dulc. You may But I accuse my selfe and of an iniurie To you Cleona To mee Dulc Too great to be forgiuen Cleon My loue to him thou seru'st hath found a pardon Already for it be it an offence Against my life Dulc. For his sake you must punish Deare Madam I haue finn'd against his Ghost In my deceiuing you Cleona His Ghost Dulc. And if His Soule hath not forgotten how he loued you I must expect him to affâ—…ight my dreames And prooue my waking euill the truth is My Lord is dead Cleon. How dead when where did I Not heare thee say since I receiu'd his Letter He was aliue Dulc. No Madam Cleon. Be not impious Dulc I said that neither death nor any blacke Misfortune had befalne him since I gaue The Letter to you Cleona Grant this truth I am Secur'd agen Dulc 'Las he was dead before I 'm sure you could not chuse but heare as much It was my wickednesse arriu'd to mocke Your credulous heart with a deuised Letter I know you are in wonder what should moue mee To this imposture sure it was no malice For you nere iniur'd me and that doth make My crime the more deform'd all my ayme was Beeing a stranger here and wanting meanes After my Lords death by this cunning to Procure some bounty from you to sustaine My life vntill by some good fortune I Might get another Master for I knew There was no hope to benefit my selfe By saying he was dead good Heauen forgiue me And keepe my eyes from weeping Cleon. Thou hast vndone me Like a most cruell boy Dulc. Madam I hope I shall repaire the ruines of your eye When I declare the cause that leades me to This strange confession I haue obseru'd The Duke does loue you loue you in that way You can deserue him and though I haue sinn'd I am not stubborne in my fault to suffer you In the beliefe of my deceitfull story To wrong your fortune by neglect of him Can bring your merit such addition Of state and title Cleona Doest thou mocke agen Dulc Heauen knowes I haue no thought of such impiety If you will not beleeue that for your sake I haue betrayed my selfe yet be so charitable To thinke it something of my duty to The Duke whose ends while they are just and noble All loyall Subiects ought to serue for him Whom I am bound to honour and I loue him Else may I neuer know one dayof comfort I durst not without guilt of treason to His chast desires deceiue you any longer Collect your selfe deere Madam in the graue There dwels no musicke in the Dukes embrace You meete a perfect happinesse Cleona Begon And neuer see me more who euer knew Falshood so ripe at thy yeares Exit Dulc Is not yet My poore heart broke hath nature giuen it So strong a temper that no wound will kill me What charme was in my gratitude to make me Vndoe so many comforts with one breath Or was it for some sinne I had to satisfie I haue not onely widowed Cleona But made my selfe a miserie beneath An Orphant I nere came to haue a friend I ha destroy'd my hope that little hope I had to be so happy Iacomâ—… comes forth Iacom. Is' t e'ne so My friend what make you here who sent for you begon d ee heare begon I say the word too there is a Porters lodge else where you may haue due chastisement you le begon Dulc. I'mâ—… sorry I haue offended Sir Exit Dulc. Iac. So am not I Let me see somebody is dead if I knew who no matter 't is one that my Lady lou'd and I am glad to heare it for mine ownesake now Uenus speed the Dukes plough and turne me loose to a priuy Conncellor Enter Sorâ—…zo Sor. Signior Iacomo where 's your Lady Iac. She is within my good Lord wilt please you Walke this way Sor. Prethee make hast the Duke is comming Exeunt Iac. I small him hither to Enter Iacomo presently So so I will take this opportunity to present my selfe to his Highnesse that hee may take particular notice of my bulke and personage hee may chance speake to me I haue common places to answer any ordinary question and for other he shall find by my impudence I come not short of a perfect Courtier Here hee comes I will dissemble some contemplation and with my hat on giue him cause to obserue me the better Enter the Duke and Lords Duke What fellowes that Giot. A Seruant of Cleona's Fabr. Signior The Duke extends his band Iacomo kisses it Jacom Your Highnesse humble creature you haue blest my lips and I will weare them thredbare with my prayers for your Graces immortall prosperitie Enter Soranzo Duke Soranzo is return'd How fares Cleona Sor. My Lord not well I found her full of sadnesse which is increast shee cannot as becomes her duty obserue your Highnesse Iacom One word with your Grace in priuate shee is as well as either you or I. Duke Sayst thou so Jacom There came indeed before you certaine newes that a noble Gentleman I know not who and therefore he shall bee namelesse but some deare friend of hers is dead and that 's all and that has put her into a melancholy mood with your gracious pardon if I were worthy to bee one of your Counsellours Duke What then Iaco. I would aduise you as others doe to take your owne course your Grace knowes best what is to be done Duke So Sir Didst thou not see that pretty boy I told thee of Soranzo No my good Lord. Duke We are resolu'd to comfort her set forward Grim. You had simple grace Iac. A touch or so abeame with which his Highnesse Doth vse to keepe desert warme good my Lord It is not come to that yet Exeunt Enter Foscari and a Servant Fosc
I said I had a messuagâ—… I come Sir from Cleona Duke From Cleona Fosc. From her indeed and in her name I must Propound a question to which she prayes You would be just and noble in your answer Duke Without disputing your Commission Vpon mine Honour Fosc. Princes cannot staine it dee you loue her Duke Doe I loue her Strange Frsc. Nay she would haue you pause and thinke welle're You giue her resolution for she bad me tell you She has beene much aflicted since you left her About your loue Duke About my loue I prethee Bee more particular Fosc. I shall so soone As you were gone being alone and full Of melancholly thoughts Duke I left her so Fosc. Willing to ease her head vpon her couch Through silence and some friendship of the darke Shee fell asleepe and in a short dreame thought Some Spirit told her softly in her eare You did but mocke her with a smooth pretence Oâ—… Loue. Duke Ha Fosc More that you are fallen from honour Haue taken impious flames into your bosome That y' are a Bird of prey and while she hath No houshold Lar to waite vpon her thre shold You would flâ—…e in and 〈◊〉 vpon her honour Duke I hope she ha's no faith in dreames Fosc. And yet Diuinity hath oftentimes descended Vpon our sl mbers and the blessed troupes Haue in the calme and quiet of the Soule Conuers'd with vs taugâ—…t men and women happy Wayes to preuent a tyrants rage and lust Duke But this was some most false malicious Spirit That would insinuate with her white Soule There 's danger if she cherish the infusion Fosc She cannot tell she hath some feares my Lord Great men haue left examples of their vice And yet no iealousie of you but what A myracle doth vrge if this be one If you but once more say you loue Cleona And speake it vnto me and to the Angels Which in her prayers she hath inuok'd to heare you She will be confident and tell her dreame She cannot be illuded Duke Though I need not Giue an account to any but to Heauen And her faire selfe Foscari thou fhalt tell her With what alacritie I display my heart I loue her with chast and noble fire my intents are Faire as her brow tell her I dare proclaime it In my deuotions at that minute when I know a million of adoring Spirits Houer about the Altar I doe loue her Fosc. Enough enough my Lord be pleas'd to heare What I haue now to say you haue exprest A braue and vertuous Soule but I must not Carry this message to her therefore take Your owne words backe agen I loue Cleona With chast and noble sire my intents are Faire as her brow I dare proclaime it Sir In my deuotions at that minute when I know a Million of adoring Spirits Houer about the Altar Duke Doe ye mocke me Fosc Pardon a truth my Lord I haue apparreld My owne sence with your language Duke Doe you come To affront vs you had better ha beene sleeping In your cold vrne and fame late gaue you out And mingltd with the tude forgotten ashes Then liue to moue our anger Fisc Spare your frownes This earth weighs not my Spirit downe a feare Would dy the palenesse of my Fathers dust Into a blush Sir many are aliue Will sweare I did not tremble at a Canon When it strooke thunder in mine eare and wrapt My head in her blew mists it is not breath Can fright a noble truth nor is there Magicke I' th person of a King that playes the Tyrant But a good Sword can easily vncharme iâ—… Duke You threaten vs. Fosc. Heauen auert so blacke a thought Though in my honours cause I can be flame My bloud is frost to treason make me not Bely my heart for I doe loue Cleona And my bold heart tels me aboue all height You can affect her with no birth or state Can challenge a Prerogatiue in loue Nay be nor partiall and you shall ascribe To mine loues victory for though I admit You value her aboue your Dukedome health That you would sacrifice your bloud to auert Any mishap should threaten that deare head All this is but aboue your selfe but I Loue her aboue her selfe and while you can But giue your life and all you haue to doe Cleona seruice I can giue away Her selfe Cleona's selfe in my loue to her I see you are at losse I le reconcile All she is yours this minute ends my claime Liue and enioy her happily may you Be famous in that beautious Empire shee Blest in so great a Lord. Duke I must not be Orecome in honour nor would doe so great A wrong to enioy the blessing I knew not You were engag'd Fosc. Ere you proceed I must Beseech you heare me out I am but fresh Return'd from trauaile in my absence she Heard I was slaâ—…e at my returne vpon The hearing of these honours you intend her And which I now beleeue from your owne lip I found a meanes and haue wrought her already Into a firme beleife that I am dead For I haue but pretended I came from her If for my sake you leaue her now I can Make good her faith and dye 't sha'not be said I liu'd and 〈◊〉 Câ—…eona's fortâ—…ne Duke Stay myracle of honour and of loue Fosc. If you proceed as iâ—… concernes your happinesse I can secure all feare of mee I am Râ—…solu'd â—… course wherein I will bee dead To heâ—… yet liue to pray for her and you Although I neuer see you more will you Mâ—… Râ—…yall Lord Duke Dâ—…d euer Louer plead Againâ—…t himselfe before Fosc. I louâ—… her still And in that study her advancement Sir In you I cannot giuâ—… her Duke Well I will still loue her and solicite Fâ—…sc And not open That I am liuâ—…ng Duke Not a Syllable Fosâ—… I am confident let me but kisse your hand Agâ—…n may blessings dwell with you for euer Exit Dulc. He was aâ—…wayes noble but this passion Has outgone Hystorie it makes for me Haile to my curteous fate Foscâ—…ri thankes Like the aged Pâ—…enix thy old loue expires And from â—…uch Death springs liâ—…e to my dâ—…fires Exit Enter Dulâ—…ino Dulc. The Father is not come yet nor my Lord 〈◊〉 yet when they doe I haue no way Tâ—…â—…lpe my selfe nor haue I power to goe From hence sure this is the Religious man Enter Valentio Val. Ha t is the sâ—…me Dulc. Father Valentio Val. Deare Leonâ—…ra Dulc Sir the same Wal. Oh let My teares expresse my ioyes what myraclâ—… Gaue you this liberty Dulc. I was rescued By th' happy valour of a Gentleman To whom in gratitude I pay this seruice He bad me here expect a holy man And is it you Val. The ciâ—…cumstance confirmes it Dulc. Are you the goodman whom my Lord expectâ—… T is so me refreshing in the midst of sorrow To meete agen Val. And Heauen hath heard my prayer Dulc. But I am miserable still vnlesse Your counsell