IMPERIALE. A TRAGEDIE.

Ovid. 2. Trist. ad Caes, August.
Omne genus scripti gravitate Tragoedia vincit.

LONDON, ¶ Printed by Thomas Harper. M.DC.XXXIX.

The Argument.

IMperiale and Spinola Noblemen of Genua having bin ancient enemies, and lately reconciled by the mediation of Iustiniano, a friend to both; Spinola endeavoured to marry his Sonne Fran­cisco to Angelica daughter of Imperiale; but finding his Sonne rejected, and Doria entertained, by that con­ceived affront, accompanied with other jealousies, suspects the old enmitie not fully eradicated from the brest of Im­periale, and moved with indignation, hireth a Brave to kill him in a crowd at a Festivall: this being acciden­tally discovered by Sango the slave of Spinola, he re­veales it to Molosso the slave of Imperiale, as accepta­ble newes to him, who had waited an opportunity to be re­venged on his Patron for severe and unusuall punishmēt, inflicted upon him. Molosso to ingratiate himselfe with his Lord, thereby to worke a greater mischief, not only re­veales the plot to him, but diverts the same upon Spino­la's owne Son, at which unexpected encounter Spinola through rage fall's into a strange kinde of Phrensy, but at length being an ey-witnes of the miserie which through the cruelty of the slaves befell Imperiale, his wife Ho­noria, Angelica, and Doria, he recovers his sences and turnes his fury into compassion.

Plutarchus de glori [...] Atheniensium.

[...], &c.

[...].

Tragedy slourished and was in high este eme, the hearing and sight whereof did wonderfully delight the men of those times.

For if the accounts be made of the charge the Athenians were at in adorning their dramatick Poems, it will appeare that the Bacchae, Phaenissae, Oedipi, Antigona, the cruelties of Medaea and Electra, consumed more treasure, than their wars undertaken against Barbarians for liberty and Empire.

Idem de vita x. Orat.

[...].

Licurgus ordained that statues of brasse should be erected to the memory of the Poets, Aesculus, Sophocles, and Eucipides, and that their Tragedies should be carefully preserved, and of­ten publikely read by the Notary of the City, when Stage-players were not admitted to act them.

Delrius in praefatione ad Senecae Tragedias.

Non Marcum Varronem, non duos Iulios Caesares, non Au­gustum Octavium, non Scaurum, non Thraseam, quibus nihil [...] vidit orbis Romanus, huic Scriptioni subsecivas horas [...].

Dramatis Personae.

  • SAngo 2 slaves.
    Molosso
  • Imperiale, a Senator of Genua.
  • Spinola, a Noble man of Genua, and a souldier.
  • Iustiniano a Noble man of Genua, and a scholler.
  • Verdugo a Bra [...]
  • Doria a Prince [...] Genua.
  • Francisco, Sp [...]la his sonne.
  • Iudge.
  • Doctor.
  • Witnesses 2.
  • Evagrio, kinsmen of Spinola.
    Fidele,
  • Officers.
  • Friends 2.
  • Honoria, Imperiale his wife.
  • Angelica, her daughter.
  • Nugella, the waiting woman.
  • Cooke.
  • Cater.
  • Porter.
  • Chorus.

Actus Primus.

Scena Prima.

Sango, Molosso.
Sang.
TIs true Molosso, fortune hath prepar'd
A full revenge for thee, without thy hazar'd,
And ere the rising Sun shall yet decline
Imperiale thy proud Lord shall fall
As low as hell; one unexpected blow
Shall recompence those many he gave thee;
When imitating forraigne cruelty,
He bound thee fast, and made thy feet an Anvill.
Molos.
Sango, if thou contemplating our friendship,
Begotten first by consanguinity,
And since confirm'd by our joynt sufferings here,
Hast undertaken some bold stratagem
Against my Patron to revenge my wrongs,
Thy great affection may but ruine me;
Delay not then to make me understand
Thy full intent: beleeve it will be vaine,
Our sword once drawn, to think to sheath again.
Sang.
Then know, the plot is more securely laid,
Than my weake meanes (although my will be strong)
Could ever reach, without my certain death;
And by strange chance I did discover it,
Without the Actors knowledge; thou hast heard
Of the old deadly fewd between our Lords,
Which wound although it were in shew heal'd up,
Is broken out afresh; 't was not well search't;
For the last night, at setting of the Sunne,
A houshold businesse cal'd me to the Garden,
[...]ere in the thicket, neere the Arbor, lying
[...] my selfe, I quickly fell asleepe.
[Page] Into which Arbor in the meane time came
My Patron, with a Brave accompanied,
A Fellow expert in that Mysterie:
At their first entrance to the place I wak'd,
But durst not stir, for had I, death had seaz'd me;
There was I privie to their whole discourse,
Which was in briefe but this, that for the summe
Of fifteene hundred crownes, thy Patrons life
Is sold, and must ere noone be snatch't away.
Mol.
Sure thou did'st dreame, thou wert not throughly a­wake,
For though our Lords were lately reconcil'd,
Myne keepes a carefull watch, and never stirs
Out of the Citie, where he knowes he's safe.
Sang.
He'le be deceiv'd, the rarenes of the plot
Did please beyond the deare and long'd for Act;
Heer's the designe, this being a solemne day
Annuallie observed by the State,
In memory of a publique benefit
Received by the private care of one
Of thy Lords Ancestors, will draw all sorts
Of People to the Temple, where the [...]
Cloth'd like a filly Pesant, is resolv'd
To watch Imperiale, and keepe neere him,
And when the usuall Ceremonies are done,
In the confused Crowd his cunning hand
Shall guide a poison'd dagger to his heart,
And in an instant, letting fall his cloake,
Which shall belarge to hide his rustick habit,
He, with the rest, will stand about the body
And wring his hands at th'horror of the fact,
And thus the Brave shall thy part bravely act,
What? silent? not affected with a joy
Should ravish thee? and swell thy veines with pleasure,
Like to the Estrich in the act of lust?
Mol.
Light joyes are eas'ly vented; such as this
Is entertained with an extasie,
And by degrees exprest: but as the full
Fruition of a thing we most delight in
[Page] Is checkt with daily feare of losing it,
So finde I now my rising heart kept downe
With doubt of such a wished happinesse,
Sang.
Had'st thou, as I beheld the Actors looks
When he declar'd his resolution,
To my attentive Patron, thou wouldst rest,
Assur'd of the event, and sweare he needed
No other weapon to distroy a man;
His eies would have outstar'd a Basiliske,
They were two Comets that are surely fatall.
Mol.
May they portend more mischeife to this House,
Then those that blasted ours and our whole Country;
But in this strong desire of a revenge
Discretion must direct our passion;
And therefore let it bee thy cheifest care
Neither in word, nor gesture, to disclose
Thy fortunate discoverie, till the end
Shall crowne the worke, and banish all our feares;
My taske shalbe to make it profitable
No lesse then pleasant, by his foreknown fall
Weel rayse our selves to wealth and libertie,
The great allurements of those bold attempts,
Wherein the Vassall dares affront his Lord,
And quite shake off the yoke of his subjection.
Sang.
Our Magnificos think us flegmatick rascalls
Created but for blowes, and scorne, soe far
In love with servitude as scarce to wish
Revenge or fredome.
Mol.
They shall finde at length
Patience opprest will into fury turne;
Nature, in spite of fortune gave us minds
That cannot like our bodies be enthral'd;
But soft, I doubt our earlie privacie
May render vs suspected; leave to me
The mannage of th'affaire; only let thy
Vertue be now the dumbe mans secrecy.

Actus Primus. Scena Secunda.

Spinola, Iustiniano.
Spin.
THe hatefull sound of Imperiale's name
Would strike me deafe, my deare Iustinian,
Were it not temper'd by thy gentle tongue,
That had the art to make m'embrace and trust
A reconciled foe, who hath rejected
With scorne my hopefull sonne, as if his birth,
Fortune, and parts, had not deserv'd that flirt
His gilded daughter; but I taxe not thee,
Whose friendship is a gem without a foile,
And hardly can be valu'd, never matcht:
I know thy milder studies chiefly bent
To weed out Rancor from the minds of men,
Smoothing rough nature with morality,
And this becomes Philosophers: but I
That doe professe the art of killing men,
Encourag'd by all States, impos'd by some
Must follow other precepts: he is sure
Of many wrongs, that will but one endure.
Iust.
Thy Character of me, lov'd Spinola,
Thus farre I may without vaine glory owne,
Truely to love my friend, yet hate no man,
And since mine own experience finds how well
Thou do'st the one, I would perswade the other;
Nor would I now convert thee to a Stoicke,
To make thee thinke there are no injuries,
Or if there be, that wise men cannot feele'm,
These, I confesse, are not compatible
With thy condition; on th'other side,
I can encourage none, much lesse my friend
To take a scandall, when there is none given,
To call that injury, which is in truth
A liberty that every man may challenge;
Or if Imperial ought t' have wav'd the same,
[Page] Yet since the will is free, thou could'st expect
But Fatherly perswasion, to incline
Th' affections of his daughter, all the rest
Is ravishment, or tyranny at best.
Spin.
I know not how the rigid schooles define
A fathers power, in their beg'd principles,
As if the freedome of the will extended
To silly wenches, to restraine the power
Of them that gave them first and second being;
No, it was onely his inveterate malice
That closely lurk't under a new fein'd freindship
That stuck on me and mine this contumely,
Which ought to be resented farre above
An injury, by any generous spirit;
Iust.
Let it be what thy fancy apprehends,
Which scarce appeares in the least circumstance,
Yet generous spirits at poore contumelies,
As seldome stoope as Eagles doe to Flyes.
Spin.
What is there that should wound an active spirit,
Like base contempt?
Iust.
The guilt of one base act.
Spin.
Should we not then be jealous of our fame?
Iust.
If we within finde cause of jealousie.
Spi.
Reports may brand, although they be untrue.
Iust.
Yes, those that take their honour upon trust.
Spi.
Our honour by opinion must subsist,
Iust.
Then every puffe of winde will scatter it.
How can we call that ours, which must depend
On the rash will, and vainer voyce of others?
But herein thou most slightst thy selfe to doubt
Thou canst be undervalued by any,
Much more contemn'd by him that dares not thinke
Himselfe to be the worthier, but that thou
Suggests it for him, in thy vaine suspition:
They that beleeve themselves despis'd, confesse
An inward doubt of their owne worthinesse.
Spi.
I am not for my part ambitious
Of the dull fame of stupid patience,
[Page] To be admir'd for wanting common sense,
Like Cato, that could let one spit in's face,
And when he should have wip'd off the disgrace
With his sharpe Sword, he did it with a Iest
And his soft handcarcheife: This was that spirit
Thou lift'st above great Alexanders merit.
Iust.
I, and above the glory of Hercules,
Or what bold Greece hath left in histories
Of her great Captaines, to their endles fame,
They Monsters, Kingdomes, and their Iusts orecame:
Cato fought not with Beasts, nor did live when
T'was thought that Heaven might be borne up by men,
But in an age when (barbarisme being fled)
All industry and learning flourished;
And in that time did bravely set upon
That Monster, in many shapes, Ambition,
With all the crimes of Rome, and when the State
Was ready ev'n to sinke with its owne weight
He it supported with his onlie hand;
And did (as much as one man could) withstand
Romes instant fate, till forc't to let her goe
He became partner in her overthrowe;
And soe one ruine did them both oppresse;
Whom to have severd had bin wickednesse;
For was it fit that liberty should dye
And Cato live? that had bin contumely,
Not the purgation of a mouth that might
As well have don the Sun or Moone dispight:
But I will leave thee to thy thoughts a while,
For wholsome counsell like safe Physick is
Vnpleasant in the taste, and must have time
To worke upon the humor; thou that art master
Of so much worth, wilt master in the end
Those passions that with reason now contend.

Actus Primus. Scena Tertia.

Spinola.
Spi.
I Must needs make a strong pretence to worth,
That dare pretend, Iustinian, to thy love;
But when I find how much I violate
The sacred Iawes of friendship, that refuse
T'anatomize my very Soule to thee;
I am compled ta'cknowledge myne owne shame
Or to suspect thy knowne fidelitie:
The plot, wherewith I labour, can admit
No Councell, but a necessarie faith
In the bold Actor, whose subsistence binds him
To resolution, and to secrecie;
All friendly trust is folly, every man
H'as one, to whome hee will commit as much
As is to him committed: our designes
When once they creepe from our owne private breasts
Doe in a moment through the Citie flie,
Who tells his secret sells his libertie:
But shall I suffer this black treachery
To boile within my doubtfull brest? mischeife
Though it be safe, can never be secure,
Or shall I ease my thoughts, and giue it vent?
Yes; prick a full swolne bladder to relax it,
Or bore a hole 'ith bottome of the ship
To coole a Calenture? dull foole thy life
Is with thy fame concern'd: besides the base
Rejection of thy Sonne (lodg'd deepely here)
He wrought the Senate to confer the charge
Of our late ayde lent Savoy against France,
On rash Marinò, so to blast thy merit,
Be confident, he that durst often venter
Taffront thee, meant to prosecute thy ruine;
And t'is no greater hazard to attempt
Death, than disgrace, that makes his life contemptible:
[Page] On then, be bold and secret, Spinola,
So shalt thou reape the double benefit
Of safety and revenge: all wickednesse
Is counted vertue, when 'tis prosperous;
Be not by any reconcilement led
To trust thy soe, th'art safe when he is dead.

Actus Primus. Scena Quarta▪

Imperiale, Honoria, Angelica, Nugella attending.
Impe.
HOw comes it, deare, that the clear sky, thy looks,
Is suddenly o're-cast? what misty vapour
Hath rais'd those stormy clouds? can bright Aurora
Rise cheerfully from shrivel'd Tythons bed?
And thou so discontentedly from mine?
But I'le not doubt the cause to spring from me,
Rather from feare of yong Prince Doria's safety,
Whose great affaires perhaps have made him stretch
His promise to the utmost, not to breake it,
Though he could not prevent our expectation,
He'l not deceive't, but like th'approaching Sunne,
Will soone expell these mists, and cheere our hearts.
Hon.
I am solicitous, I must confesse
Of his returne, whom we have long expected,
To whom we have design'd our onely daughter,
And with her both our fortunes and our loves:
But the true cause of all these perturbations
Which you discover in my countenance,
Is a strange dreame (heaven make it but a dreame)
And I perhaps should but have thought it so,
Had not my daughter, ev'n this very night,
And the same houre, as neere as we can guesse,
With the like vision been disquieted:
Me thought we harbour'd in our house a Wolfe,
Bred up so tame, that all did handle him,
[Page] Which like a dogge would fawne on them that beat him,
Til on a time, accompanied with another
Of his owne race, he rush't into the chamber
Where I together with my Daughter sate,
There they resum'd their native crueltie:
The one assaulted her, the other me,
And tearing first our Iewells from our necks,
They made us both at length their farall prey:
Ang.
Oh, how the terrour of that dreadfull vision
Affrights my Soule! I tremble when I thinke on'c?
Me thought the heartstrings of Prince Doria crack'r
At the direnewes, it prov'd the overthrowe
Of our whole Family: we differ but in this,
The Savadge executioners to me
Seem'd to be Beares, creatures as bloody as wolves.
Imp.
It is no wonder that your dreames concurr'd,
Since there is that relation in your blood:
I must beleeve, you had the day before
Communicated some sad thoughts together,
Which in the night your wakefull fantasies
From a like temperature of braine reduc't
Into like formes, suggesting that for truth
Which is at best but fond imagination;
What can be vainer then a womans dreame?
T'is lesse to be regarded then her teares,
Which are prepar'd to flow at her command.
Hon.
Cassandra's true predictions were dispis'd.
Imp.
And well they might, had Troy bin provident.
Hon.
Many at length deplore their unbeleife.
Imp.
But more lament their rash credulitie.
Hon.
Future events by dreames have bin reveal'd.
Imp.
So did old wisards doubtfull things vnfould
By flights of birds, such witchcrafts now are seas'd,
And we from those darke errours are releas'd:
To talke of visions is an indiscretion,
Practis'd by Children, and distemperd persons:
Go then; prepare your selves for solid joyes,
On this day the Republick yearly paies
[Page] A retribution to our Familie,
And as I heare (the time being Carnivall)
Some mirth shall season our solemnitie;
If Doria come to day, as we expect,
To morow nothing shall be heard of us
But songs of Hymen and Thalassius.
Hon.
Never could any wretches be more glad
To be deceiv'd.
Ang.
My heart continues sad.

Actus primus. Scena quinta.

Imperiale.
O Wretched state of man, to whom the time:
By nature made for ease, is found unquiet;
Sleepe, properly cald rest, who can expresse
How restles it becomes through various dreames?
Which are so strongly formed by the fancy
That though they be most false, and when we wake
Should wholly vanish, yet even then they leave
A deepe Impression in the troubled mind;
Nor doth this onely happen to weake women,
But unto men of speciall eminence,
Working vpon their hopes aswell as feares,
Who many times to their confusion
Have by such drowsie errors bin seduc'd;
Hence did Amilcar venture to assault
Strong [...]racuse deluded by a dreame;
But though it be a folly beyond pardon
To venture life or fortune in pursuit
Of such a vanitie, yet in all things
Abundant warines can never hurt:
My slaue may not unfitlie be compar'd▪
To a tame Wolfe, or Beare, who may perchance
Resent his late sharpe castigation;
Him will I send to my owne Galley, where
He shalbe chain'd from mischeife, and to me
Not prove unusefull, when the smallest boudt
[Page] May eas'ly be remov'd, who would omit it?
Let others lose themselves in laborinthes
Of hidden superstition, and beleeve
The ayre to be replenished with spirits,
Who by a naturall and inherent virtue
Foreseeing things to come, and taking pity
Vpon improvident man, reveale by visions
The dangers that approach, to th'end he may
By timely care prevent his misery;
I'le not depend on such intelligence
T'informe me whether Spinola hath buried▪
Or only hid, his long continued malice,
I'le fetch my preservation neerer; hence,
That shall conserve this individuall;
No man can suffer ill but from himselfe,
Fate only awes the slothfull; wisdom barres
The powerfull operation of the starres.
Chorus of two.
1
THose men that mischiefe do devise,
Had need to borrow Argus eyes
To looke about; a poore slave may
By chance lie hid, and then betray.
2
Within the house they may suspect
That walles and bedds may them detect,
And in the feild they must provide,
That not a bush a spie may hide.
1
And albeit they shut the doore,
Having well searcht the house before,
Yet they may be betray'd; for proofe,
Iove in a shower did peirce the roofe.
2
Though in the feild no tree, nor bush,
Nor bird be neere, nor winde doth rush,
Yet undiscern'd a fairy drab
Their whole discourse may heare and blab.
1
[Page]
Then since that neither house, nor field,
To our black crumes can safety yield,
Let us be virtious, and not feare
What all the world can see or heare.
2
Our dreames are often found to bee
Fruits of a wandring phantasie;
Yet many times they likewise are
Sure pledges of Caelestiall care.
1
Some men beleeve too much, and some
Conceive no truths by dreames can come;
It is a knowledge given to fewe
To finde if they be false or true.
2
Then as it is a rash misprision
To count each idle dreame a vision;
So it's an error at the least
To thinke all visions are quite ceast.

Actus Secundus.

Scena prima.

Francisco.
CAn no advice of friends? nor mine owne reason
Hold me from strong pursuite of what I finde
Can never be obtaind? am I so stupid
After so many scornes not to desist?
An arrow shot sooner may be recal'd
Then her affection; th'Apenine, the Alpes
Will eas'lier be removed then her Father:
Feed not thy selfe, fond foole, with desperate hopes:
But shall I, arm'd with powerfull love, consult
With timerous discretion? the weake Child
Of feeble age? the towring Eagle may
More eas'ly be confin'd within high walls
Then that wing'd boy, that hover'd over Chaos
[Page] Be ty'd to humane possibilities:
What transformations did the Antique Poets
Affirme to have bin wrought on men and Gods
By his sole deity? which Iove himselfe
His frequent sport had found; what guards, what spies,
He hath deceiv'd and fore't; the fiery Bull,
The wakefull dragon, and g [...]az'd Argus witnes.
Though shee that's truly nam'd Angelica
Should now abhor thy person; love can lend thee
The shape of him she loves; were she averse
From all mankind, if she like any thing
Shee may at length be brought to dote on thee:
But may I not be tax'd of too much sloth?
Neglecting active industry, t'expect
To be assisted by such miracles?
I yet have only trod the beaten path
Of vowed service, friends good will, and Ioynture;
The elder Brothers formall evidence:
I am so farr from practising the art
Of spells and philters, I have quite omitted
Corruption of her confidents and servants:
I am too cheape a lover and too tame,
And hither to have taught her to deny
By easie asking; I must let her know
What I dare doe: my Father is incens'd
At my repulse, his old suppressed hate
Renewes it selfe; hee'l rather condiscend
To match me with a fury, then with her:
It will be wisdom to decline th'alliance
Of him thy Father counts his enemy:
It would be wretchednesse to make thy love
Depend upon th'affections of another:
He never lov'd that can for any cause
Suspend his love: set then before thine eyes
Valiant Achilles, who acquir'd more honor
By constancie, even to his enemies Daughter,
In spite of th'opposition of his friends,
Then ere he did by Hectors overthrowe,
[Page] Redeeme the time Francisco, though't be short,
And let this one day satisfie the losse
Of weekes and monthes; her father keeps a slave
A cunning Affrican, whose very soule
For mony and hope of liberty i'le buy:
Him will I strait imploy; love nere refuses
The basest instruments, if they be usefull,
A drudge may finde more corners in the house
Than ere the master knew; and may discover
A secret inlet to betray a City;
There will I now begin, he shall advise
Where I shall plant my golden batteries.

Actus Secundus. Scena Secunda.

Imperiale. Molosso.
Imp.
I Am with wonder strucken, not with feare,
At thy relation of this barbarous plot,
Contriv'd against my life, after faith given,
Of firme attonement: but the Leopards spots
Or staines of virgin honor may as soone
Be wip't away, as hatred that hath seizd
A cankred brest; this machination
Is so inhumane, that to lend it credit
Is a degree to inhumanity.
Mol.
To give slow faith to such a horrid plot
Becomes a heart so full of piety;
But in this black designe many presumptions
Vnite themselves to fortifie beliefe;
Nor is it to be thought, the wretch durst feine it
Giving so short a time to be disproov'd;
The heavens forbid your virtuous diffidence
Should lead you to the hazard: I must count
This blest discovery a large recompence,
Of former ills fortune hath throwne on me:
For I am bold to hope, it will by you
Be gratiously accepted, though I finde
[Page] Some late unhappy errors have infore't
Your patience to inflict just punishment
On him that is your slave, and might expect
The restles misery of the painfull [...]are,
With all the wants that ever were susteyin'd
In a remorsles Galley; but your goodnes
(In spite of fate that meant all this) is pleas'd
To give me shelter under your owne roofe,
And to the emulation of my fellowes
To grant the favour of your houshold service;
A bondage which I truely may prefer
Above the common peoples liberty:
These are the benifites, that invite my soule
To meditate your preservation,
Which ere I cease to doe, Tyber and Poe
Shall quite abandon fruitefull Italy,
And wash th' Arabian sands; though I am rude,
I must abhor churlish ingratitude.
Imp.
Fortune and thy integrity have found
A weighty occasion to confirme and fixe thee
With rootes of adamant, in my good opinion:
Nor doth it happen often to a servant
T'injoy the happy meanes t'account himselfe
The Saviour of his master: Kings are borne
More frequently, then such examples found:
But if to this unavlu'd benifit
Thy pregnant industry can adde a second,
The mischiefe to divert upon himselfe
Thou having sav'd me now, shall crowne me then.
Mol.
Great sir, you owe the thanks of what's yet don
To chance alone; I am ambitious
Of somthing that might merit, if at least
The diligence and industrie of one
Of my condition, may deserue that title.
Imp.
It may, it may; great merit is in story
Ascrib'd somtimes to bondmen; all our soules
Are free and equall, thence our merits flow:
Why should the person vilifie the worke,
[Page] And not the worke rather ennoble him?
It is the benefit we looke upon,
And not the givers meane condition.
Mol.
I have a ripe designe that shall both give
Assurance of the truth of what I brought
And powre the vengeance on your enemy;
Nor can it ever be discovered
To hurt your fame; it shall amaze the actor
And shall be speedy too; things of long time
Are ever doubtfull, lost in expectation,
Propounded usuallie for private ends,
Gain'd by degrees; an acceptable deede
Hath double welcome when t'is don with speede.
Imp.
Noble Molosso, such thy virtues make thee,
Proceed with Courage in thy enterprize,
Which i'le not presse to know▪ till the event,
But by implicit trust freelie declare
What confidence I meane to place in thee;
And take from me this iust incouragement
To rest assur'd, thy service hath not met
With an ungratefull master: I shall never
Forgive my late credulitie, that meant
T'have added to his former punishment.

Actus Secundus. Scena Tertia.

Molosso. Sango. Francisco.
Mol.
HE's now made sure, I must with speed find out
Yong Spinola, and speake with Sango too,
Behold'um both together, t'will succed;
San.
See where Molosso comes, sir.
Fran.
O t'is hee.
How is't Moloss? thy face hath busines in't
I would thou wert at lea [...]ure.
Mol.
My toil'd body
Will not admit a cheerefull countenance;
But I can throw of care if you command.
Fra.
[Page]
Wouldst thou embrace redemption?
Mol.
Aske me whether
I would not wish some shade if I were broil'd
Vpon the Libian Sands, where Cancer raignes:
But Sir if I mistake not, you sustaine
A greater servitude, yet seeke not freedome.
Fra.
Thou wouldst perswade me to shake off Loves fetters.
Mol.
Rather to change them into chaines of gold,
To wealth and ornament; it may be done
Without your Chimicall projection.
Fra.
Thou shouldst not stand in need of that t'inrich thee,
Could this b'effected.
Mol.
Sir, I have no art,
Nor leisure to discourse, but I have heard
There is by fare an opportunity
Allotted every man, to make him rich
And happy too, provided he take hold,
And I am confident that's offer'd you.
Fra.
What? to enjoy divine Angelica?
No treasure else can make me rich or happy.
Mol.
When she is brought into your own possession,
You can but blame your selfe, if she depart.
Fra.
I shall destroy my selfe if then she scape,
But how? prithy convey thy joyfull newes
Into me by a reverend secrecie,
That I may be all eare, while thou art whispering.
They whisper.
San.
What plot should this be now? I long to know,
Molosso doubts some accident may happen
Vpon his Masters death, and wisely seekes
To gaine a friend, under whose safe protection
He may be sheltred from a sudden storme;
I have an equall share in the successe
Of his designes; his preservation's mine,
And therefore need not be inquisitive,
Th' assured fate of his obdurate Lord
May make that good hee promiseth; the daughter,
If once the Father were remov'd▪ perhaps
[Page] Would entertaine new thoughts, me thinks she should
Be sensible of Dorias neglects:
Who can condemne this yong mans hot desire?
Were I as free, as noble as himselfe,
I should most willingly become her slave,
And I doe hate my forc't condition
For no one ill so much, as that it brings
Despaire of such transcendent happinesse
Fra.
I'me ravisht with it, 'tis the sprightfull childe
Of thine owne braine, and will not brook delay.
Mol.
That's true: I'le see that all things be prepar'd:
If the least wheele be out of frame, the watch
Is altogether uselesse.
Fra.
Winde it up,
That I may observe each minute of the time
That is the Crysis of my life or death:
First take a taste of my ensuing bounty,
It may relieve thee, should we be discover'd:
If by this plot my present hopes succeed,
All future Lovers shall thy story reade.

Actus Secundus. Scena Quarta.

Sango. Molosso.
San.
I See thou hast a golden plot in hand,
Thou must impart.
Mol.
Halfe this is due to thee
By our establisht law of equall fortunes.
San.
I would I might share with Francisco too▪
Mol.
That riddle quickly will unfold it selfe:
But Sango, I'me glad I met thee, I was forc't
For some important reasons to reveale
[...] weighty secret to my Patron. San. how?
Mol.
I was compell'd to do't.
San.
What? to disclose it?
And unto him? is this your dumb mans vertue?
Canst thou so soone forget thine own vile wrongs?
[Page] Hath the dull ayre of Europe chil'd thy bloud?
For thy sole cause I hardly could containe
My present joy in the discovery,
Though death stood gaping for me while I heard it,
And would'st thou cowardly betray thy fortune?
Mol.
My obligation to my starres and thee,
Their Mercury, can never be exprest;
Which I have husbanded to my advantage.
It is the ground from whence I'le take my rise,
To leap, and fall like dreadfull thunder on him;
It is not vengeance, but soft pietie
To wish a foes death, when hee's fit to dye,
To let him live, and feele himselfe so wretched,
That he shall seeke and sue for absent death,
Is a revenge becomes me, and I'le have it;
Thou know'st my Patrons former trust was chang'd
Into a sudden jealousie, which sprang
From consciousnesse of his base injuries;
This hath remov'd that doubt, and set me right
In his lost good opinion, which I meane
Still to confirme by my strict diligence,
Till time and opportunity shall shew
How far this petty-mischiefe I'le out-goe.
San.
Now are thy thoughts full plum'd, it pleases me
To see thee mount, not flag in thy revenge:
I must confesse, I love a present mischiefe,
But, if it may conduce to thy brave ends,
To make a feyn'd retrait, and then returne
With greater violence; I must consent,
And when th'art ready for thy great assault,
But, this, and I shall joyne; in the meane time
Let nothing be discover'd to my Patron;
If that be, death's the best I can expect.
Mol.
Rest thou secure, and to expresse my thanks,
It shall not be the least part of my plot,
To give thee meanes to gaine the full fruition
Of her that Genua so admires and strives for.
San.
Can there be hope of such a happinesse?
Mol.
[Page]
I, and a good assurance of successe.
San.
I shall embrac't with all the circumstance
Of danger, that bold treason undergoes,
Or what accompanies forbidden love
In the most jealous climes: I should desire
In the fruition of such blisse t'expire.
Mol.
Stoutly resolv'd, come, let us lay our ground,
We shall build sure, when our foundation's sound.

Actus Secundus. Scena Quinta.

Verdugo.
VNder a homely habit many times,
Vertue lyes hid; this rusticke weed conceales
An Engine that can frustrate providence:
When I attempt the death of any man,
No towne of Garrison, not his owne house,
Nor any place of sanctuary can save him:
Nor doth my praise consist in this alone,
That I command the life of whom I list;
A desperate wretch may claime that priviledge:
He that is weary of his owne, may be
Lord of anothers life; but such attempts
Hatch't onely by a phrensie, seldome prosper:
My actions are the fruits of a bold spirit,
Temper'd with judgement, done with secrecy:
Hence is our brave profession found to be
Of speciall use to awe the insolent,
And secure those that seeke to live in peace.
What satisfaction is it to a man
That receives wrong, to call his enemy forth,
And then expose himselfe to equall hazard?
Or in strict Common-wealths t'appeale to law,
As if a feyn'd submission in set words
Could cure the piercing sting of injury;
No, 'tis assurance of a close revenge
That plants civility, deters and keeps men
[Page] From giving, and from suffering affronts;
This benefit we bring to every man,
Yes, and the publicke States of Italy,
How ere they censure our particular actions,
Receive no small security from us;
Treason would hardly finde just punishment
Within their narrow territories, if we
Should not, like eager hounds, pursue the traytors,
And make them know, that in another Country
The justice of their owne can overtake them;
Let then the sloathfull taxe us, that our ends
Are not the publicke good, but private gaine,
Which we preferre above mankinde; this is
But what's objected to the souldier; he
Will fight against his brother for reward,
Men ought to follow their vocation;
The fountaine of our livelyhood is profit,
Without which, honour challenging the skill
To nourish arts, cannot provide us clothes,
Nor vertue, noys'd to be the greatest good,
Procure us bread. Nor yet is our profession
More cruell then the gravest; I have heard
Of Lawyers, that are priviledg'd to cut
Their clyents throats, with a perplext Indenture,
A parchment Saw. The learn'd Physitian
Following the long and beneficiall way
Of reverend Galen, by degrees will purge
The humours of his Patient, till he leaves
Nothing but bo [...]es for death, and hungry wormes
To gnaw upon; as for his pliant skinne,
That, while he lives, by pieces is pul'd off,
Till he be wholly flea'd: the Vsurer,
I'st not his use to binde men first in bonds,
And bring 'um then to execution,
Extending both their bodies and their lands
Vpon a racke; we are more pitifull,
And by an unexpected way dispatch
Quicker then lightning, or a cunning heads-man,
[Page] For all the ill of death is apprehension;
How's Imperiale wrong'd? if when he hath
But newly said his prayers, I release him
From the ensuing miseries of age;
And when that work's perform'd, my charity
May doe as much for Spinola himselfe,
Provided I be offer'd like conditions:
My hand of justice is not partiall.
But soft, this pleasing contemplation
May make m' omit the time of action,
Which now drawes neere; my plot is so contriv'd,
That being pursu'd with resolution,
It cannot want successe; our best designes
Are often crost, when through a fond remorse
We change our counsels: few have learn'd the skill
To be or wholly good, or wholly ill.
Chorus of two.
1
FOnd youth to hope, where no hope is,
And to be brought to place thy trust
On him, that makes deceit his blisse,
And counts it folly to be just:
Goe wash an Ethiop white, and finde
Faith harbour'd in a slavish minde.
2
Love wanting eyes, makes all men blinde,
That to his power submit their wils;
No counsell can acceptance finde,
But such as their owne lust fulfils.
To be in love, and to be wise,
Apollo to himselfe denyes.
1
When he that hath received harme,
Requites it with pretended love,
We must beleeve 'tis but a charme,
Quick-ey'd suspition to remove.
Some may doe good for good, few will
Be brought to render good for ill.
2
[Page]
Is it not strange to finde a Trade?
Will act what our Revenge devises?
To see such formall bargaines made
To kill, or wound at severall prises?
At which those publique States connive
That doe by private faction thrive.
1
But though some do commit these crimes,
Yet let not us beleeve we may,
Only cry out against the times,
And be our selves as bad as they:
But let our virtuous deedes prevent
Both theirs, and our owne punishment.

Actus Tertius.

Scena Prima.

Angelica, Nugella.
Ang.
ALthough my father hath resolv'd all doubts▪
My reason could obiect; yet still I feele
A chilling vapor hover in my brest,
Which many times breakes forth in suddaine sighes,
For which I can assigne no other cause
Than that the world cannot affoord a Ioy
Vnmixt with reall or supposed sorrow;
Hence is it that most Brides are found to weepe,
Yet know not why upon their wedding day.
Nug.
Such follies are too common, I confesse,
But should I have the happines to see
Young Hymen in his yellow socks my guest,
I'de entertaine him with no other teares
Than such as from prest grapes in Autumne flowe,
Werewith his drowsy head and wither'd garland
I would bedewe; till to his twinkling eyes
Each tapour should present a double light,
While waggish Boyes should with their wanton Songs:
Prepare our thoughts to our insuing pleasures.
Ang.
[Page]
Fie, fie, Nugolla, no laciviousnes
Can ere become solemnities, that must
Create us Matrons; there is cause to feare
Their chastity, that unchafte songs can heare.
Nug.
It is a shame to lend our eares to that
We are alow'd to do?
Ang.
Yes many things
Are lawfull, and yet shamefull to be don
Or spoken publikely.
Nug.
A woman may
Be free in outward Gesture, yet preserve
An inward chastity; and I know many
Both rich and Noble Ladies so dispos'd.
Ang.
T'is not the glittering canopie of greatnes,
But th'humble vaile of modesty must guard
A womans fame; which being once throwne off
Leaves her expos'd to every bould assault.
Nug.
But when she's found impregnable, twi'll stop
Their vaine attempts.
Ang.
A fort cannot be thought
Impregnable, that offers frequent parlies.
Nug.
Yet that (as I have heard) is often don
To gaine advantage and delude the foe.
Ang.
Can it beseeme a Virgin or a Wife
To play with all th' allurements of desire;
And thinke her honour's safe, if she abstaine
From the bare act, the duller part of lust.
Nug.
They do but imitate those Chariot drivers
That you were wont to reade of, whose praise was
To come as neere as might be, and not touch;
Love hath ordainedby an antique lawe
Newly reviv'd, that every place and roome
In Ʋenus pallace, be alow'd for sport,
Except her cabinet, that, must not be
Open'd nor touch't, at least not willingly.
Ang.
Thou wilt be waggish still, But hark who knocks?
This wench that never felt the fire of love
Thinks like a wanton Child, it may be plaid with,
[Page] But she will one day finde it far more raging
Than that which fierce Medaea did convey
Into Creusas robe: how now? who is't?
Nug.
A stranger, with a letter, which he saies
He must present to your owne hand.
Ang.
Admit him;
If it be from my Doria, I feare
Some unexpected accident, wherein
His honour is concern'd, retards his comming;
But I must likewise arme my selfe for wiles:
Such love as ours, cannot want envious plots.

Actus Tertius. Scena Secunda.

Doria disguised. Angelica. Nugella.
Dor.
I Shall not be discover'd by my voyce,
Italian Virgins are at distance woed,
And more by fame, then verball courtship won:
This speakes my errand, leaves no circumstance
To be related by the messenger;
See how her bloud retires, to ayde her heart,
So lookes bright Phoebe, when Thessalian charmes
Strike her with feare, or th'early Rose, whose beauty
Nipt by a later frost, appeares like snow:
Now it returnes, and settles in her cheekes,
As if the newes tooke no impression:
Such orient beames when youthfull day returnes,
By the bedewed Shepheard are beheld.
Ang.
I may suppose you, sir, not ignorant
Of what you bring; and may beleeve y'have heard
Some thing of yong Prince Doria and me.
Dor.
Lady, I have; fame with her silver trumpet
Hath blaz'd your constant loves.
Ang.
And are you not
Strangely amaz'ed to see me reade these lines
Without a shower of teares?
Dor.
If they relate
[Page] Any disaster, you then imitate
Those ancient Worthies, that had bravely learn'd
To conquer passion at the first assault.
Nug.
You think yong women very impatient
To have their joyes defer'd: my Ladie's wise
To beare it thus, so long as he is safe.
Ang.
Hee's dead, Nugella; the great. Generall
Writes me, that he having the sole command
Of an important place, forsooke the same,
And in his swift retrait, receiv'd a shot
I'th hinder part of's head.
Nug.
O dolefull accident!
Ang.
Canst thou be so ingratefull to my Doria,
To lend it such a serious beliefe
As may deserve a teare?
Nug.
I would I durst
Suspect what comes so to our woe confirm'd.
Ang.
Were it confirm'd by the unerring seale
Of this wise State, it should not merit faith.
Nug.
Alas, he was not to be thought immortall.
Ang.
But was he not to be acknowledg'd valiant?
That attribute his foes did not deny him:
Had these contrived lines contain'd but this,
Brave Doria's slaine, a torrent, hence, had gusht,
That like Alpheus, had through earth and sea
Wander'd unmixt, till in the gulfe of death,
It should have lost it selfe in seeking him.
But when I finde impossibilities
Basely obtruded, my true love disdaines
To lend beliefe to any circumstance.
Mars could as soone be frighted from his spheare,
As he from any charge he undertooke:
'Tis a malitious scandall; and although
My nature ev'n abhors to use a stranger
With any incivility, yet I'm forc't
To taxe the bearer with this vilde imposture.
Dor.
By great Saint George, the Patron of this State,
Doria himselfe is not more innocent.
Ang.
That name is sacred, let me then conjure thee
[Page] To answer truely but to this one question.
Dor.
I shall.
Ang.
Was there before you left the Army.
Any report of this sad newes you brought?
Dor
I dare not say there was.
Ang.
The Pallace cracks
When such a pillar fals, the Generall
One of those many which my fortune wood,
Envious that Doria gain'd both that and me:
And knowing well, that valour alwaies i [...]
The speciall obiect of a noble love,
Attempted thus to shake my constancy:
But if the fates should prove so cruell to me,
To make me survive him; this is my vow,
To stand for ever like sad Niobe,
A weeping statue to his memory.
Dor.
Never did such a vertuous courage reft
In the calme harbour of a Virgins brest.

Actus Tertius. Scena Tertia.

Spinola.
AS the flye Fowler, having over night,
Set cunningly his artificiall net,
Early returnes, with an assured hope
To finde the fowle insnar'd, so are my thoughts
Wholly possest with present expectation
Of the glad newes of my successefull plot;
The mannaging whereof, I never can
Within my selfe sufficiently applaud:
I have not like rash Piso, foolishly
Dispers't my trust, nor like the sonnes of Brutus,
Disclos'd my secret, where a servant might
Discover, and betray; my warinesse
In a safe garden whisper'd my designe,
And but to one, that if it should miscarry,
And he through feare or punishment confesse,
Yet I am sure to have but one accuser,
[Page] Whose testimony my power and bold denyall
Would easily convince; but these mistrusts
Are altogether needlesse: I may be
As confident as those Sicilians,
Who when their chiefe confederate was surpriz'd,
So much relide upon his resolution,
As that not any one of them would flie,
And so conceale their bold conspiracy.
Behold my kinsmen bringing joyfull newes.

Actus Tertius. Scena Quarta.

Evagrio. Fidele. Spinola.
Eva.
OH that I were snatcht up into the skye!
And there transform'd into a cloud, that so
I might dissolve into a shower of teares.
Fid.
Can the day see such mischiefe, and be seene?
And not make haste to shrowd his guilty head
Vnder the gloomy Canopy of night?
Spin.
What earthquake? what prodigious spectacle
Hath strucke you both with horror?
Eva.
Oh he's dead!
Spin.
Why should that so amaze or you? or me?
Since death must be the lot of every man.
Fid.
Alas your sonne.
Spin.
How does it concerne him?
Eva.
Great sir, your deare and onely sonne is slaine.
Spi.
How's this?
Fid.
He's murther'd sacrilegiously,
Even in the Temple-porch, he was disguis'd,
And thought of all t'have bin Imperiale.
Spin.
I am undone.
Fid.
The desperate actor was
Clad in a country habit, and it seemes,
Mistooke the person; when he saw his face,
He tore his viperous haire; the Iudge was present,
Who gave command to bring him instantly,
To receive speedy judgement,
Spin.
[Page]
Over-reach't?
In my owne plot? the sword of my revenge
Turn'd on my selfe? and drown'd in mine owne bowels?
I am betraid, yet cannot suspect how;
It could not be by any mortall subtilty,
It was some divell lurking in the ayre;
How shall I be reveng'd? O that he would
Assume a humane body, that I might
Encounter him! but I have found the way,
I'le study the blacke art, turne Conjurer,
And then impose a labour on them all,
Worse then Ixion, or the Belides
Are said to undergoe.
Eva.
We have done ill,
To rush upon him with such violence;
The sudden griefe hath halfe distracted him;
Wee'l strive to temper it with better hopes,
Things may not be so bad as our affections
Have made us feare; Francisco Spinola
Was often nam'd.
Fid.
But neither of us both
Can say we saw him dead.
Spin.
Nay then I see
Y'are villaines hir'd, suborn'd to undermine me.
First you confound me with your horrid newes,
And then confesse ye may be both mistaken:
But I am arm'd with patience, if Imperial
Retaining still his late abjured malice,
Hath by some hellish art contriv'd this mischiefe,
I may in just resentment of my wrongs,
Implore heavens vengeance, on his perjur'd head,
And this is all y'are like to screw from me.
Fid.
Let not your troubled thoughts make you doubt us,
Who for his life would sacrifice our own.
Spi.
I will devise a stratagem, shall need
No other hand but this, which I'le conceale
From my owne selfe, till th'instant time of action;
For if I should disclose it in a place
Where there are trees, or flowers, I am betraid:
[Page] I would not breathe it forth, unlesse it were
After a dreadfull thunder, that had purg'd
The ayre, and frighted thence those subtill spies,
That to our foes by night betray our plots.
Eva.
You have a faithfull friend, to whom you may
Safely powre out the secrets of your heart,
The wise Iustinian.
Spin.
Oh that name is like
A pretious balme to cure the wounds of fortune!
Fid.
Please you retire, I'le bring him presently.
Spi.
No wilde rebellion of my passions can
Make me neglect the friendship of that man.

Actus Tertius. Scena Quinta.

Molosso, Imperiale.
Mol.
NOw you may see, sir, you were not abus'd
In our discovery, and I hope you finde
My undertakings and your trust made good;
Imp.
The Sunne at noone is not more cleerely seene;
But may it not breed a suspition
That he was clad like me?
Mol.
Why sir you know
That it is now the time of Carnivall,
When every man takes what disguise he pleases.
Imp.
But I much wonder how he was perswaded
To put himselfe so soone into my habit.
Mol.
I brought him to a strong beliefe, that he
By that device and my assistance should
Convey away your daughter.
Imp.
I intended
The Father should be punish't, not the sonne.
Mol.
By this your vengeance is more exquisite;
Make your account that with the son y' have thrust
The father through, who having found himselfe
Ore-reach't by you, or by his owne just fare,
In such a counterplot must needs at length
[Page] Become his owne dire executioner:
In the meane time his life is worse then death.
Imp.
True, true, death is the end of misery:
To die 's not wretched, but to live wretchedly,
Vengeance is meere compassion when we kill,
I feele a joy beyond expression;
There is no pleasure like to sweete revenge;
But I desire things should be carried so
That I be still reputed innocent.
Mol.
That's my sole care, the Brave in th'act was taken,
And by commandment of the present Iudge,
Is brought already to receive his tryall.
Imp.
Thou shalt do well to harken a loofe off,
I'le take no notice but in generall,
And will proceed in our intended mirth.
Mol.
By all meanes sir.
Imp.
We must at this time shun
Vnusuall privacie; keepe thou thy distance,
But know, that both my life and fortunes are
Most willingly committed to thy care.

Actus Tertius. Scena sexta.

Iudge, Doctòr, Witnesses, Ʋerdugo, Officers.
Iud.
SInce it hath bin the custome of this state
To place a stranger on this high Tribunall
Ordayning a professor of the Lawes,
As his assistant (being the place you hold)
It is our duty to discharge that trust
With all integrity, and not to looke
Vpon mens persons, but to weigh their crimes
In equall ballance, to which purpose now
Although a strange and horrid sacriledge
Ha's cald us hither in unusuall haste;
Yet it must be our cheife care to proceed
With due deliberation; otherwise
Though just our sentence be, we are unjust.
Doc.
[Page]
I have for some yeares had the happines
To be a witnes of your constant session,
In all which time I have not heard a sentence
Pronounc't by you that envy could pervert.
Iud.
We must not thinke we deserve prayse for that
Which to neglect would merit punishment.
Doc.
But yet there are degrees of good and ill,
Wherein the actor takes a liberty.
Iud.
Yet where the lawe prescribes a certaine rule
A iust Iudge cannot challenge liberty:
But let us now pursue the worke in hand,
Where is the pris'ner?
Off.
Heere.
Doc.
Let him draw neere.
Iud.
His name?
Off.
He calls himselfe Virdugo, sir.
Iud.
Then know, Virdugo, though thy haynous fact
Be evident, yet the Iustice of this state
Grants thee free leave to answer for thy selfe.
Ver▪
I thanke the state for their set complement.
Iud.
Bring forth the witnesses that he may see them.
Off.
They are both heere an't please your excellence.
Iud.
Have they bin sworne?
Doc.
Yes both sir, before me.
Iud.
Then, by the oath you tooke, declare the truth
Of what you know concerning this delinquent,
Begin you first.
Wit. 1.
Aboute som three howres since
Being in the Domo, I espi'd this man
At his first entrance, and although I never
To my remembrance saw his face before,
Yet instantly I found a strange mislike
Of his aspect, which did increase the more,
Because I saw him often fix his eyes
On him he slew, whom I conceiv'd to be
Signior Imperiale, I reveal'd my thoughts
To this yong man who then stood next me, who
Concurring with me, did resolve as I
To watch him narrowly; we both agreed
[Page] To keepe on either side of him, at length
In midst of all the crowd, raising his arme
To fetch his blow, he hit me with his elbow,
At which I suddenly laid hold on him,
Supposing he had snatcht at some mans purse,
But then I saw drop from his hand the sheath
Of that dire weapon, he had newly buried
In the warme bowels of that Gentleman.
Wit. 2.
Most part of this I averre, I stood so neere him
That I perceiv'd the motion of his arme,
And looking down, spi'd bloud upon his hand.
Ver.
The Canker take your Phisiognomy
That made you try conclusions upon me.
Iud.
There cannot be more cleere and pregnant proofe,
What have you to alledge in your defence?
Doc.
He hath confest the fact.
Iud.
Hath he confest
Who set him on? whether he meant to kill
Signior Imperiale, or yong Spinola?
Ver.
The one had done me wrong, but destiny
Made th'other take a Carnivall disguise
Somewhat too soone.
Iud.
Such recreations
Though in themselves they be in different,
Yet in a sacred Temple th'are prophane,
And draw downe vengeance.
Ver.
Had there bin but hope
To have enervated their testimony:
The racke, nor the Strapado, no nor yet
The subtler torment both of fire and water
Should have inforc't me to the least confession:
But 'tis my fate, and therefore let me heare
My passing bell, my doome quickly pronounc'd;
For 't were ridiculous to expect favour,
Since your integrity (as you confest)
May not shew any, where the law condemnes.
Doc.
Dar'st thou deride the Iudge?
Iud.
Let him alone,
He hath no sence of his owne misery,
[Page] His boldnesse moves not me, I shall proceed
With the unchanged countenance of Law,
And with a voyce not furious, but severe;
When I condemne a guilty man, 'tis done,
As if I strooke a Serpent, not with passion.
Doc.
His wicked acts have hardned him, he came
No novice to this cruell enterprise.
In Venice he climing a Ladder, shot
Through the glasse window a Clarissimo
Sitting at supper, flew a Count of Naples
In his owne garden, having first observ'd
A place where he might scale the wall t' escape;
And that his wants may not obtrude the guilt
Vpon his fortune, he but lately ravish't
A yong and Noble Virgin in Siena,
The onely daughter of Petruccio.
Ver.
Can that be thought to be a great offence?
Doc.
The harmelesse man thinks it no great offence,
With hot and beastly lust to vitiate
A Damzell, at the most but ten yeers old.
Ver.
Beleeve it, I have found um good at eight;
Why there are many like Quartella, sir,
Remember not that they were ever maids.
Iud.
He takes delight not onely in the act,
But in the infamy of wickednesse;
But I will rid the world of such a monster;
And therefore now, Verdugo, I pronounce,
Because th'hast heap'd up crimes, and drunk in vice,
Which is dispersed into every limbe,
Thy body shall be laid upon a wheele,
And limb by limb be broken, till thou dyest;
Nor shalt thou then finde any other grave,
Then the blacke mawes of Vultures, and remaine
In the meane time a spectacle to men:
This sentence justice hath declar'd by me.
Ver.
Sir?
Iud.
Not to be revok't, take him away,
And early in the morning see't be done.
Ver.
I'le beare it manfully, although I feele
[Page] Ixion▪like the torment of the wheele,
Iud.
Such malefactors in a State are like
To putrified members in mans body,
Which like a skilfull Surgeon, law findes best
To cut off quite, lest they infect the rest.
Chorus of two.
1
LOve built on vertue, cannot be
Led by a rash credulitie,
To entertaine reports that tend
To the dishonour of a friend.
True love is confident, a doubt
That slakes loves fire will put out.
2
As they whose tongues are us'd to erre
Are not beleev'd, when they averre
That which is true, so when we know
A story false in part, we grow
Iealous of all; if truth once touch
On falshood, it is render'd such.
1
When men in their revengefull hate
Doe study others ruines, Fate
Acts Iustice part, to let them see
They plotted their owne misery.
'Tis just that they themselves should finde,
What they to others have design'd.
2
But how are these amaz'd, when they
Being about to seize their prey,
Finde themselves caught, yet doe not know
From whence they did receive the blow:
Like him that hid his gold in hope
To keepe it safe, but found a rope.
1
Though they could blinde and bribe the law,
And keepe all witnesses in awe
By their great power, though they could make
By cunning the whole Stake mistake:
Yet can they be so void of sense,
To thinke to cozen Providence?
2
[Page]
If mischiefe-workers would but bend
Their guilty thoughts, to weigh the end
Of their ill deeds, they would confesse,
No safety found in wickednesse.
How can those crimes that heaven doth see
And so abhor, unpunish't be?

Actus Quartus.

Scena Prima.

Evagrio; Iustiniane.
Eva.
BEleeve it sir, h'as all the signes of phrensie,
His inflam'd bloud boyles in his swelling veynes,
His eyes appeare like fire, his colour changes,
He grates his teeth, and falters in his speech;
Sometimes he folds his armes, and deeply sighes,
Then strikes his angry foot againnst the ground.
Iust.
Doth he continue in such violence
As at the first?
Eva.
Yes sir, by fits; sometimes
A stupid silence seizeth him, and then
He breaks againe into his former rage.
Iust.
These are, I must confesse, the noted symptomes
Of a hurt fancy; he's of a high spirit
Apt to resent a wrong (if it could be)
From fate it selfe; but, where he takes, a friend,
On whom a man may build, as on a rocke.
Eva.
True sir, his rising passions at your name,
Like a tumultuous multitude, at sight
Of a grave Iudge, were for the time appeas'd;
See where he comes, I pray observe, he vents
His passions often in poeticke rage.

Actus Quartus. Scena secunda.

Spinola, Iustiniano, Evagrio.
Spi.
YEe Furies, active ministers of hell,
That have your heads invironed with Snakes,
[Page] And in your cruell hands be are fiery scourges,
Lend me your bloudy torches to finde out,
And punish th'author of my deare sonne murther,
Assist Megaera with a new revenge,
Such as even thou would'st feare to execute:
Let a vast sea of bloud o're-flow his house,
And never ebbe till I shall pitty him;
Ease now th'infernall ghosts, remove the stone
From th' Attick thiefe, and lay it on his shoulders,
Let the swift streame deceive his endlesse thirst,
And let his hands winde the unquiet wheele,
That hourely tortures the Thessalian King:
Let Vultures tire upon his growing Liver,
But let'um ne're be tir'd; and fince there is
One of the fifty Danaan sisters wanting,
Let them admit that man into her roome,
And with their Pitchers onely load his armes;
How am Isure 'tis he? or if it be?
It is the law of Retribution,
And is but just, my conscience tels me so:
Hence childish conscience, shall I live his scorne?
And the whole Cities Pasquill? I abhor it,
Were he protected by the thunderer,
I'de snatch him from his bosome, and in spite
Of his revengefull thunder, throw him quicke
Into the throat of the infernall dog;
Or if that monster be not yet releast,
Since great Alcides drag'd him in a chaine,
Through th' amaz'd townes of Greece, Enceladus
That with his earth-bred flames affrighteth heaven,
Rather then he shall scape, shall fire the world:
But I delay, and weare away the time
With empty words, why doe I call for Furies?
That beare in mine owne breast a greater fury
Then Acheron and night did ever hatch;
I'le dart my selfe like winged lightning on him;
Have I no friend?
Iust.
Yes, one that dares assist you
In a more valiant act, to crush that Fury,
[Page] And to restore brave Spinola to himselfe.
Spin.
O faithfull soule, my deare Francisco's murder'd.
Iust.
A heavy fate, yet such as should be borne
Without so strange a tumult, what you give
T'unbridled rage, you take from your revenge.
Spi.
Wilt thou allow me to take vengeance, speake,
But speake Iustinian with thy wonted faith.
Iust.
Yes, such as law and Iustice shall allow.
Spi.
I have no skill in Law, and as for Iustice,
Your learned Stoickes make it but a foole,
A very animal.
Iust.
'Tis now not seasonable
To tell you whether Iustice, Fortitude,
And th'other vertues may be called creatures;
But I must tell you, that no creature can
Be happy, wanting them; whereof that man
Deprives himselfe, that subjugates his reason,
On which they all depend, to brutish passion;
Could you but be perswaded to reflect
Vpon your selfe, to see as in a glasse,
What a deformity this vice hath brought
Vpon your soule, although you hated me,
You would embrace my counsell.
Spi.
Deare Iustinian,
Fortune hath nothing left that's worth my hope,
But thy affection; at thy sole command,
I would attempt to swim the mid-land sea,
When Aeolus and Neptune are at warres,
Expose my selfe to the fierce Dragons jawes,
Enraged by the theft of Hercules;
At thy command I'le live; hark, hark, what's that?
It is the voyce of my dead son, that cals
For vengeance; see, see where he stands and points
At his still-bleeding wound; he bids me thinke
What he had done ere now, had we chang'd fates;
Did you not see him?
Iust.
No, nor you your selfe,
'Twas nothing but a strong impression made
In your disturb'd imagination.
Spi.
[Page]
Could both myne eyes and eares be so deceiv'd.
Iust.
That happens often to perplexed mindes.
Spi.
Alas, what shall I do?
Iust.
Let me perswade you
But to retire, perhaps some milde repose
May softly steale upon your troubled spirits,
To give you ease.
Spi.
If you will have it so,
My passions in my brest shall silence keepe,
I'le be as tame, as (what you wish me) sleepe.
Iust.
Waite on him in, I'le follow presently.

Actus Quartus. Scena Tertia.

Iustiniano.
THe vnexpected death of his deare sonne,
So wounds his soule, that his distracted fancy
Suggests beliefe, he saw and hard him speake,
But that cannot seeme strange, if we consider
How far imagination doth usurpe
Vpon the power of Reason, though it be
A faculty coincident to Bruites,
Receiving objects from the common sence;
But these his perturbations I suspect
To flow from mixt affections, greife, and anger,
The last of which, sinkes deepest in the hearts
Of most of us Italians, and I doubt
That he thereby having involv'd himselfe
In that, which is our Nations crime, Revenge;
Hath bin by th'other faction vndermin'd:
If this be, his disease is cureable,
Yet so, as every vertuous man must thinke
The remedy as bad as the disease,
Vnles strickt Iustice do becom th'avenger,
Or that their owne sad fates appease his rage;
O how it wounds my heart to see my freind
And one that truly meriteth that name
But for that vice, whereof not to be guilty
[Page] Is made a vice heere, by the Tyrant custome)
Plung'd in distresse, that cannot receive counsell:
But could he once with safety be restor'd
To his owne native ingenuity,
He would detest such crimes; his candid soule
Appeares in this, that in the midst of fury,
The sight or name of him he lov'd before
Can Orpheus-like calme his enraged spirit:
I therefore am oblig'd by sacred freindship
Even to devote my selfe to all iust meanes
Of his recovery, and I will performe it,
To cure Orestes (If the Heavens so please)
There shall not want a faithfull Pylades.

Actus Quartus. Scena Quarta.

Imperiale, Honoria, Angelica, Servants, Freinds, Doria, Maskers.
Imp.
ARe all things ready.
Ser.
Yes sir.
Imp.
Noble friends,
Your presence gives addition to the honor
Which some young Gentlemen are pleas'd to do me
In the free presentation of their mirth
Most seasonable in time of Carnivall,
And fit to celebrate this joyfull feast
Which we may challenge as our holy-day.
Fri. 1
The honor of this day chiefely belongs
To you and to your family, but yet
The benefit redounds to the whole State,
Which every yeare is thankfully acknowledged.
Fri. 2
The State, by such acknowledgement invites
All generous spirits beyond common duty
To venture life and fortune for her safety.
Imp.
This common wealth that makes them truly happy
That share the blessings of her government
Disdaines not, like a tyranny, to owe
A benefit to subiects; nor rewards
[Page] With banishment, in stead of Bayes, their merit:
But hark, musicke proclaims the maskers comming,
Be pleas'd to take your places, there are seats.
Fri. 1.
I must crave leave to place your daughter, sir,
She that is once betrothed is a Bride.
Imp.
'Twere incivility in her, or us,
If you request it, not to be uncivill,
Sit downe Angelica.
Hon.
Sit downe, sit downe,
Our friends desires are in our house, commands.

A boy, clad like a nuptiall Genius sings this song.

COme Hymen, light thy full branch'd Pine,
And let a rosie wreath intwine
Thy reeking brow, let thy brave sire
With liquid vertue thee inspire,
While waggish boyes in witty rimes,
Taxing the follies of the times,
Spare not their masters, who are now
Content this freedome to allow;
Thus the chaste girdle of the Bride
Must be by pleasant rites unti'd,
But let darke silence bring to bed
Such as want Hymen when they wed.

The song ended, Hymen and his Fescennine youths ap­peare clad in antique formes, dancing a wanton dance, at the end of which, Prince Doria representing Thalassius, en­ters with other young gentlemen his friends, attired like Romans, with their swords drawne: at sight whereof Hymen and his company runne away confusedly: then they put up their swords, and dance a warlike dance, at the end whereof Doria suddenly embraceth Angelica, the Mas­quers all crying out

Mas.
For Thalassius, for Thalassius.
Imp.
Though custome challengeth a liberty
To take our wives and daughters forth to tread
A measure without scandall, yet t'embrace,
And whisper too, requires a better warrant
[Page] Then carnivall permission, it implyes
Domesticke priviledge, or an affornt.
Mas.
For Thalassius, for Thalassius.
Imp.
That voyce was frequent at a publick rape,
But sacred hospitality forbids
All jealousie of any ill intent.
Dor.
Not, as the Romans when they had betraid
The Sabine Virgins, do my glad friends make
These acclamations of Thalassius,
But rather as a more auspicious name
Then that of drowsie and lascivious Hymen;
Behold the late Ambassador himselfe
Thus contradicts his owne seyn'd embasie.
Aug.
My Doria!
Hon.
O perfect happinesse!
Fri. 2.
See how Prince Doria hath surpriz'd us all,
Transform'd into a nuptiall Deitie.
Imp.
My doubt is in the better sense resolv'd:
You may perceive y'are welcome by the joy
Exprest both by my daughter, and my wife,
In no dry complement, but in a moist
And silent Oratory.
Dor.
Which works more
On my affections, then a golden tongue;
But tell me my divine Angelica,
How could'st thou at the tidings of my death,
Put on a valiant incredulity?
And when thou find'st me safe burst out in teares.
Ang.
To lend beliefe to any ill report
Of a known friend, although aver'd with boldnes,
In common friendship were unpardonable,
Much more in such a love as mine, which finding
In a mayne part a manifest untruth
Was for your honour bound to slight the rest:
And though there be a contrarietie
In the true causes of our joy and griefe,
Yet both are often times exprest with teares,
Dor.
I could not entertaine nor then nor now,
The least suspition of thy constancy,
[Page] But truest love delights to please it selfe
With such disguises, and to finde by trials
Our owne assurance many wayes confirm'd:
Nor had I ventur'd to disturb thy thoughts,
Which thy discerning judgement did prevent,
But that I had a present remedy.
Ang.
I might have safely tasted what the Mede,
Or the fierce Parthian dips his arrows in,
So long as there was such an antidote.
Dor.
Were I left helplesse by Machaons art,
Thy presence hath a vertue would restore me,
Pandora on whom each Deity bestow'd
A severall gift, was not endow'd like thee.
Imp.
So soone at strife? if you will needs contend
Who will love best, I'le put you both together.
Dor.
He whose ambition made him weep and sweat
Within the narrow limits of one world,
Did never thirst so much for fame and glory,
As I for that encounter, in which combat,
Whether I vanquish, or am vanquished,
I shall not envy Pompey or Caesars triumphs:
In the meane time I'le crave an houre or two
For preparation of some necessaries,
Whereof my absence makes me destitute.
Imp.
Troth my occasions have the like request,
And therefore if this noble company
Will honour us to morrow with their presence,
We shall endeavour to requite their loves.
1 Fri.
Most willingly.
2 Fri.
And at your nuptiall feast,
Wee'l wish that every grace may be your guest.
Dor.
I'le soon return, my heart with thee shal stay
As a sure pawne.
Ang.
You carry mine away.
Imp.
You have some busines too must be dispatcht,
Goe, loose no time; Molosso come thou hither,
I leave thee in my absence to take care,
That supper be prepar'd, and tell the Steward
That great revenue, parcimony, now
[Page] Must be by us neglected: thriving men
In charges that come seldome, are profuse.

Actus Quartus. Scena Sexta.

Molosso.
I Shall sir, yes, by that time you returne,
You shall confesse you have a skilfull Cater:
Why should proud greatnesse undervalue us,
And our condition? since all men are slaves;
If we survey the greatest monarchies,
What art their Courtiers else? with all the suits
They either beg or weare? the rich Banquier
Enthrals his debtor, and his money him:
This Captaine is a captive to that wench;
This Magistrate to bribes; that Lord to pride,
This Statesman to ambition; all to feare:
From whence we only that have nought to loose,
Are free, and that shall instantly appeare;
I'le send the servants forth, that Sango and I
May act our part with more security.
See how the fates themselves have help'd to bring
The Beast into my toile, and made both him
And his whole house the subject of my vengeance,
My joy is such, I cannot temper it:
As when the bloud-hound in a leash being led,
Noseth the ground, and while the prey's far off,
Spares both his mouth and feet, but drawing neer,
Will open wide, and drag away his leader,
So are my thoughts transported, I'le away,
My fury cals for bloud, and I obey.
Chorus of two.
1
VNdoubted friendship having made
A strong impression in the minde,
[Page] Though wilde distempers doe invade
Our reason can their fury binde.
Love in distracted thoughts may beare
As great a sway as servile feare.
2
He whose strong passions are his foes,
Is happy in a faithfull friend,
That will assist him to compose
Those strifes that to his ruine tend.
A true friend wishes not a cause,
But when ther's need, he ne're withdrawes.
1
A Lover with no ill intent,
Will Proteus -like, new formes devise,
He feynes to be on errands sent,
And then himselfe he will disguise
Like to a god, Love loves to stray,
And seldome keeps the beaten way.
2
But now the fatall time drawes neere,
Wherein the errour and th' offence
Of Imperiale will appeare,
To trust the slave he did incense,
And to encourage him to act
What he once thought a heynous fact.
1
But may there not be some excuse?
At least to mitigate his fault?
That he could not expect a truce,
And that he found his owne life sought:
It hath bin counted Iustice still,
Rather then to be kil'd, to kill.
2
Ther's no excuse can purge the guilt
That murther brings; we must not take
Our owne revenge, bloud by us spilt,
Will our whole off-spring guilty make:
Then let's not blame heavens justice, when
Great plagues doe light on vertuous men.

Actus Quintus.

Scena Prima.

Fidele, Evagrio.
Fid.
VVEe see there is small hope that gentle sleepe
Can find admittance to his troubled thoughts,
While rage distracts them; he's no sooner laid
To rest upon his couch, but up he starts.
Eva.
The wise Iustinian meanes this night to bring
Some curious musicke, that may rocke his senses
Into a slumber by sweet harmony,
Working on his affections, we are all
Eternally oblig'd to that good man;
Who though he be with hearty sorrow mov'd
To see his friend in such necessity,
Ev'n of his helpe, yet is resolv'd t' employ
His constant care, nor will he ever thinke
His debt of friendship paid by my labour.
Fid.
What will become of us if he miscarry?
We are his kinsmen, and have no subsistence
But by his onely bounty; I receiv'd
A deadly wound in the deplored death
Of his deare son, who oft was pleas'd to bid me
Throw all my care on him, and now I finde
My hopefull venture sunke in that brave ship.
Eva.
To lose out friends and fortunes I confesse,
Is that which needs must shake the firmest mindes,
But when there is no hope for us t' encrease
Our owne affliction, and to lose our spirits,
Is an infirmity beneath a man:
Why should we doubt his safe recovery?
Since passion as we see, doth but disturbe
His reason, not destroy't; when he's at worst,
He'l hearken to the counfell of his friend.
How earnestly he begs, that he may speake
With Imperiale, and it seemes Iustinian
Already condiscends to his request;
Me thinks that should not be, since he suspects
[Page] Him to be privy to Franciscoes death;
Eva.
No doubt, Iustinian understands what's fit;
Perchance if once he shall his mind unburden
His passions may remit, or he may seeme
To promise, cause he would not have him crost,
These things we wholly must commit to him,
Whose Iudgement's not inferior to his love:
He wish'd us but withdraw awhile, we must
Not be farre off, least he should chance to call,
For what soe'r occasion they should have
Ther's none but we t'assist: Sango the slave
Hath taken liberty to go abroad,
At his owne pleasure, who would thinke the Villain
Durst venture to be absent at this time?
Fid.
I have observ'd a wondrous league of late
Betweene him and his Cozen slave; how ere
Their Lords are far asunder, they are neere.
Eva.
T'is ever best when such as they are kept
To dayly labor, the least ease corrupts them.
Fid.
There might perchance be some discovery made
If they were both examined apart,
And made beleeve each other had confest.
Eva.
Som plot, t'is like to steale a silver spoone
To purchase Opium, or the drug Tobacco;
That is the height of their ambitious theft:
But heark they knock I prethy go thou in,
And i'le take order to have Sango sent for.

Actus Quintus. Scena Secunda.

Cater, Porter, Cooke.
Cat.
THou blow'st asmuch as he that carried
An Oxe vpon his shoulders, set it downe,
Ther's for thy paines,
Port.
Troth t'was a heavy burrhen.
Cat
Ther's two quatrines more.
Por.
I thanke you, sir.
Cooke.
Methinks Molosso might have sav'd this charge▪
And bin himselfe Porter.
Cat.
Who the Slave?
[Page] He's now our major Domo, our Lord told me
He would deliver his commands by him.
He gave me order to make this provision.
Cooke.
I like him he begins his governement
With bounty, now the Cooke may shew his skill;
Since I came hither, I have bin confin'd
To severall sallets, porrage with scrapt cheese,
And a few Vermicelle, such slight dishes:
O when I serv'd the Grand-Dukes master Cooke
How we were all employd! I can remember,
What lectures of our Mystery hee'd read,
Stiling the belly master of all arts,
And by a modell of his owne invention
Demonstrate how the antique Cookes were wont
To dresse th'intire Boare; he was a Scholler
And would discourse of the delicious Sumen
And of the noble Patrons of the kitchin
Both Greeks and Romaines; he was wont to speake
Most reverently of one Apitius,
Cat.
Why what was he?
Cooke.
A man of a brave stomack,
That spent upon his belly neere three millions,
And having cast up his accounts, and found
Only two hundred and od thousand crownes
Remayning to support his appetite,
Doubting he should be famisht, rather chose
To live by fame, and end his life with poison:
But prethy knock; there was another too,
One Nomentanus, but far short of him:
Will they not open? we shall all be shent,
Knock harder.
Cat.
Sure they are a sleepe, perhaps
The Slave being overleaven'd with his favour
Hath made himselfe starke drunke; we shall disturbe
Our Lady and her Daughter, I much wonder
Mistris Nugella comes not to the doore.
Noise within. Oh.
Cooke.
What noyse is that within? some body groanes,
Cat.
[Page]
I will goe seeke our Patron.
Coo.
Here he comes.

Actus Quintus. Scena Tertia.

Imperiale, Cater, Cooke.
Imp.
VVHat, no for warder? w'are like to sup to night
At a fine houre?
Cat.
W'have bin a good while here sir,
Have often knockt, but cannot be let in.
Coo.
We thought we heard a groaning in the house.
Imp.
How? knock againe, yet, this is very strange,
Where should Molosso be; perhaps my wife
And daughter with their maids may all be busie,
For I suppose they were to take a bath;
He certainly would not neglect my service:
I know not what to thinke, my jealousie
Suggests a thousand feares, goe presently,
Desire the Engineer to lend m' an Engine,
That I may force the doore.

Actus Quintus. Scena Quarta.

Molosso, Sango above, Imperiale below.
Mol.
SIr, here are they
Meane to make good this Fort in spite of you,
And all your Engineers.
Imp.
What's thy intent?
Thou know'st how farre I trust thee deare Molosso.
Mol.
It is not your untimely trust or favour
(That is to me but sun-shine after shipwrack)
Can satisfie your former injuries:
I would have spent an age in base observance,
Onely to gaine this day, this happy houre
That shall produce what no time shall forget.
Imp.
Iowe my life to thee and ever shall
Make that acknowledgement, then doe not thou
[Page] Destroy thine owne great merit.
Mol.
Think not fond man,
I sav'd thy life for any love of thee,
But to reserve thee for a greater plague.
Imp.
O my deare wife and daughter, where are they?
Mol.
Both yet alive, the mischief's done already,
But not the vengeance, thou shalt that behold,
Till then there's nothing can be call'd revenge:
Goe bring u'm Sango, thou hast had thy fill
San.
Of Nectar, sweeter far than that of Iove.

Actus Quintus. Scena Quinta.

Iustiniano, Spinola, Imperiale, below, Molosse, Sango, Honoria, Angelica above.
Iust.
THe best Physitians in extremities,
Allow their Patients what they most desire,
Though ne're so seeming hurtfull: when diseases
Exceed their safe and usuall remedies,
They many times are cur'd by contraries:
What should this meane?
Spi.
I must exact your promise.
Iust.
Vpon condition you'l forbeare all out-rage.
Spi.
Set me my bounds, and see if I transgresse.
Iust.
Stand here then, and be silent.
Spi.
Like a Statue.
Mol.
Behold a paire of Brides, their haire displaied,
Muse not to see u'm weep, the cause is light.
Imp.
What is the woe that these strange signs import?
Speake my Honoria, my Angelica.
Hon.
That which no womans tongue is fit t' expresse,
Nor any humane eare fit to receive.
Imp.
Mine eares may heare what such soft hearts can bear▪
I have a breast prepar'd for misery.
Hon.
Behold the Wolves, the Beares, that our sad dreams
Fore-warn'd us of, which you did so despise.
Mol.
You heare how light the cause is, but a dreame.
Hon.
Our wretched story's told and understood,
In the sole repetition of that vision;
The jewels ravish't from our innocent necks.
[Page] When swords and direfull threats could not [...]
By cruell force assisting one another,
Wrung from us both.
Ang.
Oh that heavens power had pleas'd
According to my fervent invocation,
To have transform'd me to some ugly monster,
That horror might have frighted away lust,
Or else converted it to sudden rage,
Whereby my life had ransomed mine honour!
Imp.
Was there none neere to ayde? where was Nugella?
Hon.
Bound, and then strangled, all the rest were forth.
Imp.
What haste a wretched creature makes to heare
His owne dire wretchednesse? but now Molosso,
Since thou hast cloy'd thy furious appetite,
Vnbinde their tender hands, and send them down,
That wee may all condole their heavy fortunes.
Mol.
If my revenge could have bin satisfied
With what's already done, it had done nothing;
No, Beares and Wolves alway persist to death,
And I lament to finde so narrow a Stage
To act my vengeance on, as but two women:
Sango prepare.
San.
Command, and I obey.
Ang.
Then there is hope to finde compassion
In more then Scythian breasts, ther's but that left
To expiate your former cruelty.
Imp.
O spare their lives, and all shall be forgiven!
Mol.
We are too farre embark't to hope or wish
To be forgiven, mischief's upheld by mischiefe.
Imp.
Alas poor soules, what crime have they committed?
Mol.
They are both thine Imperial, that's their crime,
And 'tis the height of our triumphant glory,
That thou shalt see u'm dye, cast thine eyes up.
Imp.
Villaine, I will not, thus I snatch away
That part of thy revengefull insolence, puls out his eyes.
So shall the Sun and Moon, heavens rowling eyes,
Drop from their spheres at the worlds generall ruine,
T' avoyd the spectacle, 'tis fit my light
Should be extinguish't with my dearest objects.
[...]
[Page]
[...]hat? hast thou so deluded us? thine eares
[...]ough thou want'st eyes to see, shall hear their groanes▪
Hon.
Oh, oh! Ang. Oh, oh!
Mol.
I would have labour'd more for this revenge,
Than those that search the bowels of the earth
For Mynes, or dive into the Sea for pearles.

Actus Quintus. Scena sexta.

Doria, Imperiale, Molosso, Sango, Iustiniano, Spinola.
Dor.
VVHose fortune should I envy? that am going
To take possession of a happinesse,
Great, and (what crownes felicity) secure?
Such constant joy proceeds from vertuous love:
But soft, what unexpected change is here?
Either mine eyes mistake, or my Imperial
Is quite depriv'd of his; alas, 'tis so:
I am amaz'd at this sad spectacle.
Imp.
There can be none but yong Prince Doria left,
So apprehensive of my misery.
Dor.
What strange Eclipse? or dire Stymphalides
With their prodigious wings obscure the sun?
What cruell hand hath made us all thus wretched?
Imp.
What thou behold'st, is the least part of mine,
And thine owne woe.
Dor.
Where's my Angelica?
Imp.
She and her mother both are visely murdered;
And that's not all, they both were ravish't first
By those two savage beasts.
Mol.
'Tis thy fate Doria
To be involv'd in that mans vow'd destruction.
Dor.
Where am I now, in fruitfull Italy,
Or in Hircania, where there's nothing seene
But horrid monsters, and perpetuall snow?
O wickednesse! that no age will beleeve!
And all Posterity deny! malitious fate,
That to my boundlesse misery add'st this;
To make me suffer barbarous wrongs from such
As are not capable of my revenge.
[Page] Were the sole Monarch of the world, the actor,
Or had he but conniv'd at the deed done
By his lustfull sonne or minion; I might hope,
Arm'd with the justice of my cause, to wrest
The ill-sway'd scepter from him, and reduce
Him and his race to unparrallel'd examples
Of wofull pride, and miserable greatnesse.
Then if abstracted spirits knowledge have
Of humane vowes, look down deflowred Mayd,
But yet no lesse a Virgin then a Vestall:
Since honour cannot stoop to punish slaves,
Whose vile condition sinks beneath that vengeance,
'Bove which no tyrants power could hope to clime.
And since thy cruell sufferings (blest soule)
Require strict satisfaction, loe, I turne
My fury on my selfe, and punish thus
Mine owne malignant fortune: who holds me?
offers to kill himselfe.
Forbeare, I may not be disarm'd.
Iust.
That man
That is transported by a desperate rage,
Disarmes himselfe, he that may hinder mischiefe,
And yet permits it, is an accessary.
Dor.
Noble Iustinian, thou wert wont to be
Full of compassion, shew it now, and end
A loathed life.
Iust.
That which had bin a crime
Not to prevent, were wickednesse to act.
Dor.
Restore me then my sword, it is not worse
To kill him that unwilling is to dye,
Than t' hinder him that's willing.
Iust.
If thou kil'st
Thy selfe, thereby thou dost confesse a guilt.
Dor.
The guilty seldome inflict punishment
Vpon themselves; what wretch can keep a life
So full of misery?
Iust.
'Tis wretchednesse,
Not to be able to beare misery,
It is not as thou think'st, renowned Doria,
[Page] A vertue to hate life, but to indure
These weighty strokes of Fortune valiantly,
And this becomes thy noble birth and spirit,
On which th'afflictions of the world should fall,
But as tempestuous showres into the sea.
Dor.
Thy counsell comes too late, sentence is given
By me upon my selfe, nor canst thou save
Or yet reprieve me, he that resolves to dye,
Findes weapons every where, my minde could arme
These hands without a sword, but it disdaines
All borrowed ayde; my weapons are within:
If sudden joy can speedy death command,
Why should not griefe? and mine above all others?
Then summon all thy forces mighty sorrow,
Contract this stubborne heart and stifle it,
Deny it the bold priviledge, to be
The last that feeles the stroke of death: so, so,
It shoots a vapour that will poyson it,
And choke each passage of the vitall spirits,
And now I feele it beat against my breast,
As if it gave th'allarum unto all
The organs of my life; O how it strugles,
Disdaining to submit! proud rebell downe,
Thy lygaments are shrunke, and I approach
The place, where Lovers after death reside,
Where I a ghost will yet enjoy my Bride:
Wilt thou not yeeld? dost thou expect reliefe?
Time, that releaseth sorrow, shall not joyne
With refresht nature to repaire thy ruine:
I to a broken heart will adde this doome,
No substance within these lips shall come.
Mol.
Thy daughter Imperiale is canoniz'd:
With contrite heart devout Prince Doria,
Hath vow'd a fast to his Saint Angelica.
Imp.
I feele so great a weight of misery,
That I can scarce be sensible of more,
Although it be (what's harder to be borne
Than my calamity) a villains scorne.
Spi▪
Thus shall my silence breake, into remorse,
Not into rage, that feaver of the soule
[Page] Is quite converted to an Apathie;
Let me cry out to fate, as Hanniball
At Canne, to his bloody Souldiers, spare;
Imperial know'st thou the voyce of Spinola?
By the most faithfull head of my Iustinian
(Than which there cannot be a holier found)
I truly am mov'd with pity, thy sad story
Would melt a flinty leart into compassion;
Procrustes, or the wilde Inhabitants
Of horrid Caucasus are milde to these.
Imp.
[...] know not, gentle Spinola how thou
Ca [...]t accept thanks from me, that have from thee
[...]eserv'd so ill, It may not be suppos'd
[...] [...]an dissemble now, that Villaine there
Contriv'd thy deare sons death without my knowledge,
Though I am guiltie of as great a crime,
For I was willing, to my too late greife
Vpon discovery made by thine owne Slave
Of thy intent, to have the same retorted
Vpon thy selfe, the rest that wretch did plot,
In whom I plac'd a wicked confidence;
And did at length too much applaud the fact,
From whence our mutuall miseries result.
Spi.
Thy crime was but diversion of an evill,
Whereof I hate the memory, and wish
I could drinke deep of Lethe, to forget
That impious designe, and for these villains,
I'le study a new punishment, that shall
Transcend Perillus Bull, and all the torments
Invented by the fierce Sicilian tyrants.
Mol.
'Tis wretchednesse to feare where ther's no hope,
Could'st thou beleeve, vaine Spinola, that we
Would undertake to act so bold a mischiefe,
And not resolve upon as brave an end?
We that have gained such a full revenge,
Meane not to lose it by a poore submission
To hopelesse mercy, or your new found torments;
Though fortune made us wretched slaves to you,
We both retaine some sparks of th'active fire,
Which the [...]
[Page] Did sometimes flame in our Numidean breasts,
Not yet so quench thy servitude, but we
Have will and power to free our selves, behold
Out liberty; these shall restore us now
To that equality that nature gave,
In which blinde chance hath put a difference:
One blow from these deliverers, can make
An abject begger equall to a King:
Sango keepe time.
San.
I'm ready.
The slaves [...]
Mol.
By consent
We thus avoyd & mock your punishment.
Spi.
The Harpies are flown suddenly to hell,
And hang already on that hideous rocke;
Where dreadfull fiends lye gaping to receive 'm;
But let me, sir, become your faithfull guide
To leade you to my house, where you shall live,
And want no comfort love or cost can give.
Imp.
The onely comfort of a wretched soule
Is to despaire of comfort. I see not
The mansion guilty of such wickednesse,
But I am seene, a wretch, in Genua,
Where all my ancestors stand wreath'd with honour:
I'le wander to a desart, or else clime
Some remote mountaine, where dark clouds that hung
About his high erected head, shall hide me
From all the eyes of men, there I'le lament
My miseries in willing banishment.
Iust.
What need we care how powerfull our foes be?
When slaves can bring us to such misery?
Whose innate cruelties at length appeare,
Though they the same may cunningly forbeare,
For their owne ends; it is not wisedome then
To place our trust in such condition'd men,
Whom punishments, and wants, and feares prepare
To hatred, to deceit, and to despaire:
Yet these are but poore instruments, the cause
That on our heads heavens indignation drawes,
Springs from our selves, [...]st which ther's no defence
[...]

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