The only free men, are the only slaves. That I must either keep my height with danger, Lyd. Your own goodness Will be your faithful guard. Con. So passionate? Giov. For, had I been your equal, I might have seen and liked with mine own eyes, And then, for change, near to the murmur of With what melodious harmony a quire Con. You forget The haste imposed upon us. Giov. One word more, And, then, I come. And, after this, when with And ever am, your servant; but it was, Of all the globes and sceptres mankind bows to, With all the obedience of a wife, to please you. Giop. I am dumb, And can make no reply. Con. Your excellence Hier. And our loves Enter Coziмo, the Duke. To his person. Here he comes : Present it boldly. Coz. What needs this form? We are not grown so proud As to disdain familiar conference In us to suffer it, were worse. Pray you, rise. Acknowledge you their absolute lord. Coz. You press us With solid arguments, we grant; and, though Our dutchess; such a dutchess, that the world, To be her second. In her grave we buried For you, ere long, with joy, shall understand, Hip. We submit, And hold the counsels of great Cozimo Enter LODOVICO and SANAZArro. Forbear all ceremony. You look sprightly, friend, San. O sir, I would not be The harbinger of aught that might distaste you. Coz. Still my nightingale, That with sweet accents dost assure me, that That dares believe, but in a thought, we are Coz. Nay, blush not, Sanazarro; we are proud San. My best endeavours never can discharge The service I should pay. Coz. Thou art too modest; But we will study how to give, and when, Enter GIOVANNI and CONTARINO. Before it be demanded. My nephew! Let me eye thee better, boy. Giov. Your servant, Coz. Thy hard travel, nephew, A hopeful prince! Carry him to his lodgings, Giov. All true pleasures San. As the rising sun, We do receive you. Giov. May this never set, But shine upon you ever. [Exeunt GIOVANNI, SANAZARRO, HIERONIMO, ALPHONSO, LODOVICO. Coz. Contarino! Con. My gracious lord. Coz. What entertainment found you From Carolo de Charamonte ? For a noble gentleman, and my worthy friend; But never heard of her. Coz. She is delivered, And feelingly, to us by Contarino, For a master-piece in nature. I would have you All those perfections that may take a virgin, San. This is, sir, An easy task, Coz. Yet, one that must exact Your secrecy and diligence. Let not Your stay be long. San. It shall not, sir. Coz. Farewell, And be, as you would keep our favour, careful. [Exeunt, He's blind with too much light. Have you not Instead of little dogs, are privileged On a how d'ye, as they call it. Cal. What would'st thou say? To carry musk-cats. Fio. Now the ceremony Is passed, what is the substance? Caland. I'll peruse My instructions, and then tell you. Her skirt kissed, Inform her highness, that your lord Cal. Who's that? Caland. Prince Giovanni, who entreats your grace, That he, with your good favour, may have leave To present his service to you. I think I have nicked it, For a courtier of the first form. Fio. To my wonder. Enter GIOVANNI and a Gentleman. Return unto the prince. But he prevents My answer. Calaminta, take him off; And, for the neat delivery of his message, Give him ten ducats; such rare parts as yours Are to be cherished. Caland. We will share: I know It is the custom of the court, when ten Are promised, five is fair. Fie! fie! the prin cess Shall never know it, so you dispatch me quickly, And bid me not come to-morrow. Cal. Very good, sir. [Ereunt CALANDRINO and CALAMINTA. Giov. Pray you, friend, Caland. Let me see my notes. These are her Inform the duke I am putting into act lodgings. Well. Cal. Art thou an ass? Caland. Peace! thou art a court wag-tail, [CALANDRINO still looking on his instruc tions. To interrupt me. Fio. He has given it you. What he commanded. Gent. I am proud to be employed, sir. [Exit gentleman. Giov. Madam, that, without warrant, I pre sume To 'trench upon your privacies, may argue Rudeness of manners: but the free access Caland. And then say to the illustrious Fi-o- Your princely courtesy vouchsafes to all rin-da I have it. Which is she? Cal. Why this, Fop-doodle. That come to pay their services, gives me hope To find a gracious pardon. Fio. If you please, not Caland. Leave chattering, bullfinch; you would To make that an offence in your construction, As you were ever, the greatest mistress of Fio. You are, sir, the master, And in the country have learnt to out-do All that in court is practised. But why should we You will impose the province you should govern, Giov. Your excellence knows so well In your relation-hath the country life Afforded you? Giov. All pleasures, gracious madam, This worthy must be cherished, Giov. 'Twas a bounty You never can repent. Fio. I glory in it. And when he did return, but still with conquest, But the happiness to converse with your sweet Appeared more courtly; all the graces that virtues. I had a grave instructor, and my hours, To guide me through the labyrinth of wild passions, That laboured to imprison my free soul, A slave to vicious sloth. Fio. You speak him well. Giov. But short of his deserts. Then, for the time Of recreation, I was allowed (Against the form followed by jealous parents His daughter's sweet society. She's a virgin, Without the aids of foreign principles, Fio. Your whole age, So spent with such a father, and a daughter, Giov. True, great princess: And now, since you have pleased to grant the hearing Of my time's expence in the country, give me leave To entreat the favour, to be made acquainted Fio. I'll meet your demand, And make a plain discovery. The duke's care For my estate and person, holds the first And choicest place; then, the respect the courtiers Pay gladly to me, not to be contemned. But that which raised in me the most delight, Of the brave count Sanazarro. I profess, to me Render a man's society dear to ladies, Giov. To divert your thoughts, Fio. You will ask, I do presume, what I may grant, and then It must not be denied. Giov. It is a favour, For which, I hope, your excellence will thank me, Fio. Nay, without circumstance. Giov. That you would please To take occasion to move the duke, I cannot speak too much, to wait upon you. Fio. 'Tis rank, he loves her: But I will fit him with a suit. [Aside.] I pause not, As if it bred or doubt or scruple in me, And hope to find you, in your grant to me, Giov. Command me, madam. Fio. 'Tis near allied to yours. That you would be A suitor to the duke, not to expose, After so many trials of his faith, Giov. Hum! I'll embrace, fair princess, The soonest opportunity. The duke! Coz. Nay, blush not; we smile on your pri |