way,

So, by no means be credulous. For great men, And, when you are sued to in a noble
Till they have gained their ends, are giants in

Be neither nice nor scrupulous.
Their promises; but, those obtained, weak pigmies Lyd. All you speak, sir,
In their performance. And it is a maxim I hear as oracles; nor will digress
Allowed among them, so they may deceive, From

your

directions. They may swear any thing; for the queen of love,

Cur. So shall you keep As they hold constantly, does never punish, Your fame untainted. But smile at lovers' perjuries.—Yet be wise, too; Lyd. As I would my life, sir. [Ereunt.

a

ACT III.

a

you careful

a

SCENE I.

Cannot o'erreach a youth, my practice yields me

But little profit.
Enter SANAZARRO and Servant.
San. Leave the horses with my grooms; but be

Enter GIOVANNI and the Servant.

Gior. You are well returned, sir. With your best diligence and speed, to find out San. Leave us. When that your grace shall The prince, and humbly in my name entreat him know the motives I mayexchange some private conference with him, That forced me to invite you to this trouble, Before the great duke know of my arrival. You will excuse my manners. [Erit servant, Serv. I haste, my lord.

Giov. Sir, there needs not San. Here I'll attend his coming;

This circumstance between us. You are ever And see you keep yourself, as much as may be, My noble friend. Concealed from all men else.

San. You shall have further cause Serv. To serve your lordship,

To assure you of my faith and zeal to serve you. I wish I were invisible.

[Exit servant. And, when I have committed to your trust San. I am driven

(Presuming still on your retentive silence)
Into a desperate straight, and cannot steer A secret of no less importance than
A middle course; and, of the two extremes My honour, nay, my head, it will confirm
Which I must make election of, I know not What value you bold with me.
Which is more full of horror. Never servant Giov. Pray you believe, sir,
Stood more engaged to a magnificent master, What you deliver to me, shall be locked up
Than I to Cozimo. And all those honours In a strong cabinet, of which you yourself
And glories, by his grace conferred upon me, Shall keep the key. For here I pawn my honour,

I
Or by my prosperous services deserved, (Which is the best security I can give yet)
If now I should deceive his trust, and make It shall not be discovered.
A shipwreck of my loyalty, are ruined.

San. This assurance
And, on the other side, if I discover

Is more than I with modesty could demand Lydia's divine perfections, all my hopes

From such a paymaster; but I must be sudden, In her are sunk, never to be buoyed up :

And therefore to the

purpose.

Can
your

excele For 'tis impossible, but as soon as seen,

lence, She must with adoration be sued to.

In your imagination, conceive A hermit at his beads, but looking on her, On what design, or whither, the duke's will Or the cold cynic, whom Corinthian Lais, Commanded me bence iast night? Not moved with her lust's blandishments, called

Giov. No, I assure you;
a stone,

And it had been a rudeness to enquire
At this object would take fire. Nor is the duke of that I was not called to.
Such an Hippolitus, but that this Phædra,

San. Grant me hearing.
But seen, must force him to forsake the groves And I will make

you

understand And Dian's huntmanship, proud to serve under It only did concern you. Venus' soft ensigns. No, there is no way

Giov. Me, my lord? For me to hope fruition of my ends,

San. You, in your present state, and future But to conceal her beauties--and how that

fortunes; May be effected, is as hard a task

For both lie at the stake. As with a veil to cover the sun's beams,

Giov. You much amaze me!
Or comfortable light. Three years the prince Pray you, resolve this riddle.
Lived in her company, and Contarino,

San. You know the duke,
The secretary, hath possessed the duke If he die issueless (as yet he is)
What a rare piece she is.—But he's my creature, Determines you his heir.
And may with ease be frighted to deny

Giov. It hath pleased his highness
What he hath said. And, if my long experience, Oft to profess so much.
With some strong reasons I have thought upon, Sun. But say he should

a

Now, when you please, begin.

With such as are more glorious. Though I never San. Such Læda's breasts were,

Did injury, yet I am sensible

[Turns from her. When I'm contemned, and scorned. Down pillows styled by Jove : And their pure San. Will you please to hear me? whiteness

Lyd. O the difference of natures! Giovanni, Shames the swan's down, or snow. No heat of lust A prince in expectation, when he lived here, Swells

up
her azure veins. And

yet

I feel Stole courtesy from Heaven, and would not, to That this chaste ice, but touched, fans fire in me. The meanest servant in my father's house, Lyd. You need not, noble sir, be thus trans- Have kept such distance. ported,

San. Pray you, do not think me
Or trouble

your
invention to express

Unworthy of your ear : It was your beauty Your thought of me: The plainest phrase and That turned me statue.- I can speak, fair lady. language

Lyd. And I can hear. The harshness of your That you can use, will be too high a strain

courtship For such an humble theme.

Cannot corrupt my courtesy. San. If the great duke

San. Will you hear me,
Made this his end to try my constant temper,

If I speak of love?
Though I am vanquished, 'tis his fault, not mine; Lyd. Provided you be modest;
For I am flesh and blood, and have affections I were uncivil, else.
Like other men. Who can behold the temples, Car. They are come to parley:
Or holy altars, but the objects work

I must observe this nearer.

[CAROLO descends. Devotion in him? And I may as well

San. You're a rare one, Walk over burning iron with bare feet,

And such (but that my haste commands me And be unscorched, as look upon

this beauty

hence) Without desire, and that desire pursued, too,

I could converse with ever. Will you grace me Till it be quenched with the enjoying those With leave to visit you again? Delights, which to atchieve, danger is nothing, Lyd. So you, And loyalty but a word.

[Aside. At your return to court, do me the favour Lyd. I ne'er was proud;

To make a tender of my humble service Nor can I find I'm guilty of a thought

To the prince Giovanni. Deserving this neglect and strangeness from you. San. Ever touching Nor am I amorous

Upon that string? And will you give me hope San. Suppose his greatness

of future happiness?
Loves her himself, why makes he choice of me Lyd. That, as I shall find you.
To be his agent? It is tyranny

The fort, that's yielded at the first assault,
To call one, pinched with hunger, to a feast, hardly worth the taking.
And at that instant cruelly deny him

Enter CAROLO.
To taste of what he sees. Allegiance,
Tempted too far, is like the trial of

Car. O ! they are at it.
A good sword on an anvil : as that often

San. She is a magazine of all perfection, Flies in pieces without service to the owner; And 'tis death to part from her; yet I mustSo trust, enforced too far, proves treachery,

[Aside. And is too late repented.

[Aside. A parting kiss, fair maid. Lyd. Pray you, sir,

Lyd. That custom grants you. Or license me to leave you, or deliver

Car. A homely breakfast does attend your The reasons which invite you to command

lordship, My tedious waiting on you.

Such as the place affords. Car. As I live,

San. No; I have feasted I know not what to think on't. Is't his pride, Already here. My thanks, and so I leave you : Or his simplicity?

I will see you again. Till this unhappy hour San. Whither have my thoughts

I ne'er was lost; and what to do, or say, Carried me from myself? In this my dulness, I have not yet determined. (Erit SANAZARBO. I've lost an opportunity.

(He turns to her. Car. Gone so abruptly? Lyd. 'Tis true,

(She fulls off. 'Tis very strange!
I was not bred in court, nor live a star there; Lyd. Under your favour, sir,
Nor shine in rich embroideries and pearl, His coming bither was to little purpose
As they, that are the mistresses of great fortunes, For any thing I heard from him.
Are every day adorned with.

Car. Take heed, Lydia !
San. Will you vouchsafe

I do advise you with a father's love, Your ear, sweet lady?

And tenderness of your honour; as I would not Lyd. Yet I may be bold,

Have you coarse and harsh in giving entertainFor my integrity and fame, to rank

ment, VOL. II.

N

:

a

seen

Coz. You are, nephew,

That I should contradict him. I am dim, sir; As I hear, an excellent horseman, and we like it. But he's sharp-sighted. Tis a fair grace in a prince. Pray you, make San. This is to my wish.

[Aside. trial

Coz. We know not what to think of this; yet Of their strength and speed, and, if you think would not

them fit For your employment, with a liberal hand

Enter GIOVANNI, HIPPOLITO, and LODOVICO, Reward the gentleman, that did present them From the viceroy of Naples.

Determine rashly of it. How do you like Giov. I will use

My nephew's horsemanship? My best endeavour, sir.

Hip. In my judgment, sir, [Ereunt Giovanni, Alphonso, and HIPPO- It is exact and rare.

Alph. And, to my fancy.
Coz. Wait on my nephew.

He did present great Alexander, mounted
Nay, stay you, Concarino; be within call; On his Bucephalus.
It may be we shall use you. You have rode Coz. You are right courtiers,
hard, sir,

And know it is your duty to cry up
And we thank you for it. Every minute seems All actions of a prince.
Irksume and tedious to us, till you have

San. Do not betray
Made your discovery. Say, friend, have you Yourself; you're safe; I've done my part.

[Aside to GIOVANNI. This phenix of our age?

Giov. I thank

you; San. I have seen a maid, sir;

Nor will I fail.
But, if that I have judgment, no such wonder Coz. What's your opinion, nephew,
As she was delivered to you.

Of the horses?
Coz. This is strange!

Giov. Two of them are, in my judgment, San. But certain truth. It may be, she was The best I ever backed : I mean the roan, sir, looked on

And the brown bay; but for the chesnut coWith admiration in the country, sir :

loured, But, if compared with many in your court, Though he be full of metal, hot, and fiery, She would appear but ordinary.

He treads weak in his pasterns. Coz. Contarino

Coz. So, come nearer; Reports her otherwise.

This exercise hath put you into a sweat; San. Such as ne'er saw swans,

Take this, and dry it: and now I command you May think crows beautiful.

To tell me truly, what's your censure of Coz. How is her behaviour ?

Charomonte's daughter, Lydia? San. 'Tis like the place she lives in,

Gioo. I am, sir, Coz. How her wit,

A novice in my judgment of a lady; Discourse, and entertainment ?

But, such as it is, your grace shall have it freely, San. Very coarse;

I would not speak ill of her, and am sorry,
I would not willingly say poor and rude: If I keep myself a friend to truth, I cannot
But, had she all the beauties of fair women, Report her as I would, so much I owe
The dulness of her soul would fright me from Her reverend father : but I'll give you, sir,
her.

As near as I can, her character in little, 'Coz. You are curious, sir. I know not what she's of a goodly stature, and her limbs to think on't.

Not disproportioned. For her face, it is Contarino!

Far from deformity; yet they flatter her Con, Sir.

That style it excellent. Her manners are Coz. Where was thy judgment, man,

Simple and innocent; but her discourse To extol a virgin Sanazarro tells me

And wit deserve my pity, more than praise. Is nearer to deforınity?

At the best, my lord, she is a handsome picSan, I saw her,

ture: And curiously perused her; and I wonder And, that said, all is spoken. That she, that did appear to me, that know

Coz. I believe you;
What beauty is, not worthy the observing, I ne'er

yet
found you

false, Should so transport you.

Giov. Nor ever shall, sir.Con. 'Troth, my lord, I thought then

Forgive ine, matchless Lydia ! too much love, Coz. Thought ?' didst thou not affirm it? And jealous fear to lose thee, do compel me, Con. I confess, sir,

Against my will, my reason, and my knowledge, I did believe so then ; but, now I hear

To be a poor detracter of that beauty, My lord's opinion to the contrary,

Which fluent Ovid, if he lived again, I am of another faith ; for 'tis not fit

Would want words to express.

[Aside.

my

Coz. Pray you, make choice of

With zeal and vehemence; and even when, The richest of our furniture for these horses; With his best words, he strived to set her forth,

[TO SAN AZARRO. Though the rare subject made him eloquent, And take my nephew with you ; we, in this, He would complain, all he could say came short Will follow his directions.

Of her deservings. Gior. Could I find now

Coz. Pray you, have patience. The princess Fiorinda, and persuade her This was strangely carried.-Ha! are we trifled To be silent in the suit that I moved to her,

with? All were secure.

Dare they do this? Is Cozimo's fury, that San. In that, my lord, I'll aid you.

Of late was terrible, grown conteniptible? Coz. We will be private; leave us. All my Well; we will clear our brows, and undermine

studies [Ereunt all but Cozimo. Their secret works, though they have digged like And serious meditations aim no farther

moles, Than this young man's good. He was my sister's And crush them with the tempest of my wrath son,

When I appear most calm; he is unfit And she was such a sister, when she lived, To command others, that knows not to use it, I could not prize too much; nor can I better And with all rigour. Yet my stern looks shall Make known how dear I hold her memory,

not Than in my cherishing the only issue

Discover intents; for I will strike Which she hath left behind her. Who's that? When I begin to frown. (Aside.) You are the

mistress Enter FIORINDA.

Of that you did demand.
Fio. Sir.

Fior. 'I thank your highness;
Coz. My fair charge, you are welcome to us. But speed in the performance of the grant
Fio. I have found it, sir.

Doubles the favour, sir.
Coz. All things go well in Urbin?

Cox. You shall possess it sooner than you Fio. Your gracious care to me, an orphan, expect ; frees me

Only be pleased to be ready when my secretary From all suspicion that my jealous fears Waits upon you, to take the fresh air. My Can drive into my fancy.

nephew ! Coz. The next summer

And my bosom friend, so to cheat me? 'Tis not In our own person, we will bring you thither,

fair!

Aside. And seat you in your own. Fio. When you think fit, sir.

Enter GIOVANNI and SANAZARRO. But, in the mean time, with your highness' par- San. Where should this princess be? Not in don,

her lodgings, I am a suitor to you,

Nor in the private walks, her own retreat, Coz. Name it, madam,

Which she so much frequented ? With confidence to obtain it,

Giov. By my life, Fio. That you would please

She's with the duke; and I much more than To lay a strict command on Charomonte,

fear, To bring his daughter Lydia to the court: Her forwardness to prefer my suit hath ruined And, pray you, think, sir, that 'tis not my pur. What

, with such care, we built up.
pose

Cox. Have you furnished
To employ her as a servant, but to use her Those coursers, as we willed you?
As a most wished companion.

San. There's no sign
Coz. Ha! your reason?

Of anger in his looks.

[Aside Fio. The hopeful prince, your nephew, sir, Giod. They are complete, sir. hath given her

Coz. 'Tis well. To your rest.

Soft sleeps To me for such an abstract of perfection

wait on you, madam; In all that can be wished for in a virgin, To-morrow, with the rising of sun, As beauty, music, ravishing discourse,

Be ready to ride with us. They with more Quickness of apprehension, with choice man

safety

Had trod on fork-tongued adders, than provoked And learning, too, not usual with women,

[Erit Cozimo. That I am much ambitious (though I shall

Fior. I come not to be thanked, sir, for the Appear but as a foil to set her off)

speedy To be from her instructed, and supplied Performance of my promise touching Lydia; In what I am defective.

It is effected. Coz. Did my nephew

San. We are undonc, Seriously deliver this?

Fior. The duke Fior. I assure your grace,

No sooner heard me, with my best of language,

ners

me,

a

:

Describe her excellencies, as you taught me, He does appear, but much transformed from But he confirmed it. You look sad, as if

what You wished it were undone.

He was when he came hither. Giov. No, gracious madam,

Cal. I confess I am your servant for it.

I am not very wise; and yet I find
Fior. Be you as careful

A fool, so he be parcel knave, in court
For what I moved to you. Count Sanazarro, May flourish and grow rich.
Now I perceive you honour me, in vouchsafing Giov. Calandrino!
To wear
so slight a favour.

Cal. Peace!
San.' 'Tis a grace

I'm in contemplation. I am unworthy of.

Giov. Don't you know me! Fior. You merit more,

Cal. I tell thee, no; on forfeit of my place, In prizing so a trifle. Take this diamond; I must not know myself, much less my father, I'll second what I have begun : for, know, But by petition: that petition lined, too, Your valour hath so won upon me, that

With golden birds, that sing to the tune of profit, Tis not to be resisted. I have said, sir,

Or I am deaf.
And leave you to interpret it. [Erit FIORINDA. Giov. But you've your sense of feeling.
San. This, to me,

[Offering to kick him. Is wormwood. 'Tis apparent we are taken San. Nay, pray you, forbear. In our own noose, :-What's to be done?

Cal. I have all that's requisite Giov. I know not.

To the making up of a signior. My spruce ruff, And 'tis a punishment justly fallen upon me My hooded cloak, long stocking, and paned hose, For leaving Truth, a constant mistress, that My case of tooth-picks, and my silver fork, Ever protects her servants, to become

To convey an olive neatly to my mouth; A slave to lies and falsehood. What excuse And, what is all in all, my pockets ring Can we make to the duke? What mercy hope A golden peal, O, that the peasants in the for,

country, Our packing being laid open?

My quondam fellows, but saw me as I am !
San. Tis not to

How they would admire and worship me!
Be questioned, but this purposed journey is Giov. As they shall;
To see fair Lydia.

For instantly you must thither.
Giov. And to divert him

Cal. My grand signior,
Impossible.

Vouchsafe a bezolus manus, and a cringe
Sun. There's now no looking backward. Of the last edition.
Giov. And which way to go on with safety, Giov. You must ride post with letters

This night to Lydia.
To be imagined

Cal. An' it please your grace,
San. Give me leave. I have

Shall I use my coach, or foot-cloth mule?
An embryo in my brain, which, I despair not, · San. You widgeon,
May be brought to form and fashion, provided

to make all speed; think not of You will be open-breasted.

pomp: Giov. 'Tis no time now,

Giov. Follow for your instructions, sirrah ! Our dangers being equal, to conceal

Cal. I have one suit to you,
A thought from you.

My good lord.
San, What power hold you o'er Lydia ? San. What is it?
Do

you think, that, with some hazard of her life, Cal. That you would give me She would prevent your ruin?

A subtle court-charm, to defend me from Giov. I presume so :

The infectious air of the country. If, in the undertaking it, she stray not

Giov. What's the reasov? From what becomes her innocence; and to that Cal. Why, as this court-air taught me knavish Tis far from me to press her; I myself

wit, Will rather suffer.

By which I am grown rich; if that again San. 'Tis enough; this night

Should turn me fool and honest—-vain hopes, Write to her by your servant Calandrino,

farewell, As I shall give direction; my man

For I must die a beggar.
Enter CALANDRINO.

San. Go to, sirrah !

You'll be whipped for this. Shall bear him company. See, sir, to my wish Giov. Leave fooling, and attend us. (Ereunt.

not

You are