The Novella.
ACT IV. SCENE I.
Flavia, Aſtutta with a Letter.
Aſt.IF this move him not, nay prevaile not with him
To the accompliſhment of your deſire,
Would I were a man, both for your ſake and his.
Fla.What wouldſt thou do?
Aſt.Firſt take away the cauſe
Of your Greene-ſickneſſe by killing him; then
Fla.What wonders thou wouldſt doe!
Aſt.I, if I were a Man and able to doe what I
Now deſire (for I would have mine own deſire ſtill)
I would doe won ers indeed. Believe it Miſtris,
An able man that has but a weake womans deſire
Has an unknown thing; and may doe any unknowne
thing, for ought I know――――
Fla.I pray thee leave thy idle pratle, and let
Me heare thy moving Letter.
As your own Act and Deed, and quickly ſigne it.
MY deare
Franciſco, If you intend not my
death, helpe me to breake Priſon this Night:
Elſe tho’ my Execution be appointed to morrow mor-
ning by a forc’d Marriage, I will prevent it by a
ſpeedier way, and by my own hand die,
[K 8v]Aſt
The Novella.
Fla.But thou haſt ſet him down no meanes.
Aſt.That’s in the Poſtcripe, marke,
The laſt minute that I will expect you ſhall be
three in the morning, when from the back Window
I will either fall into your Armes, or on my
Fla.I thank thee good
Aſtutta. O that the meſſenger
Aſt.If we cannot win her to’t, tis but a Letter loſt,
How doe they that have whole pockets full of ’hem
In readineſſe, to borrow money
?
Aſt.Why I doe not thinke there’s any of ’hem within
Fla.Thou dallieſt with my feares.
Aſt.Fear it not Miſtris, ſhe is as ſure at ſuch a lift―――
And ſo ſhee’s come already.
Enter Nanulo, Franciſco, like a Pedler Woman
with her Box.
Nan.Look you Lady, I told you true, here is the
Party, that has the Knacks and things; come
Open, open, and ſhew all.
Fra.Not before you good ſir.
Nan.Are you ſo coy of your toyes?
Fra.Your diligence were better ſomewhere elſe
:
This prying into womens buſineſſes
Is ill ſir for your eye-ſight, and perhaps
May ſpoile your growth. Good Sir, I crave your ab-
Nan.I muſt give way. Shee has a devil ſh tongue.
Exit.
Aſt.Miſtris, ſhee’s for our turne I warrant you
I finde it by her aptnes to abuſe him.
Fra.Come Miſtris Bride, – – – Nay bluſh not, pretty one,
To take the name one day before your time.
Fla.I hate the Name, on thoſe accurſed termes,
LThat
The Novella.
That have prefix’d the time. Good
Aſtutta,
Breake with her by your ſelfes; I cannot ſpeake
:
Aſt.I hope you will not offer it.
Fra.Come Miſtris, ſee. What weep you, pretty one
?
What
! and the great good turne ſo near you
? ha!
What will ſhe doe to morrow night?
Aſt.Even cry out right perhaps.
Fra.Perhaps ſo too; and laugh as faſt e’re morning,
Come Lady, come, hear me, and ſee my ware:
Tis from
Fabritio, he, that noble Gentleman,
Dos not your heart leap now? Now but ſuppoſe
French chaines here five hundred crowns a peece;
A rich Pearle Neck-lace, Saphire and Ruby Bracelets;
Variety of Jewells, and a Diamond work――――
Fra.I hate their price and them, the Sender more
Fla.I cannot
: let mee goe.
Fra.Pray ſtay ſweet Lady,
I doe not ſay
Fabritio ſent ſuch things,
I ſaid I came from him, that noble Gentleman.
Fra.Judge him by his preſents,
And ſee the things he ſends.
A mention of him; much leſſe would I ſee
The leaſt relation from his hated hands.
Aſt.Pray Miſtris ſee ’hem
! Open your Box!
Fla.Had ſhe there
Lucrece’ Knife, or
Portias coales,
Or
Cleopatra’s aſhes I could embrace ’em.
Fra.Look you how near I fit you. See what’s here
(A
What a choyce chaine is this
! and here’s a Knife,
(halter,
As ſharpe as that of
Lucrece. And, for coales,
(a Knife,
Here is a poiſonous juice, whoſe every drop
(a Viall.
[L 1v]Would
The Novella.
Would eat through Iron. Theſe
Fabritio ſends you.
If you refuſe another preſent here.
Fla.I muſt reject any from him but theſe.
Aſt.What a ſcorne’s this! This Bawd nere ſcapes alive
Out of theſe doors. Pray what’s your other peſent
?
Fra.Here Lady, look on’t pray; examine’t well.
(A
And take or this or thoſe.
(Picture,
Fla.Ha! look here
Aſtutta;
The lively image of my love
Franciſco!
Aſt.It is exceeding like him! What’s the plot troe
?
Fla.A thouſand kiſſes ſhall thy welcome be,
Happy reſemblance of my hapleſſe love;
As many thanks to you, good, vertuous Woman,
O let me fall and bleſſe the ground that beares thee,
And aſke forgiveneſſe for my late rude treſpaſſe.
Fra.Recall your ſelfe, ſweet Lady, tender heart
!
Fla.And could
Fabritio (I can name him now)
Shew me ſuch Kindneſſe, and himſelfe ſo noble,
Fra.On this condition (as I was to ſay)
That you embrace it in the memory
Of him your Love, namely his friend
Franciſco,
And that you ever love, and onely him.
Fla.Ever and onely (though I thanke him for’t)
He need not have urg’d that.
(Your Rope, here, and the reſt) had ſhe refus’d,
And to expreſſe their needleſſes the better
I pray returne them to him with great thanks.
Fra.’Twas his great care to worke mee to this
Fla.Let then the charge be mine. Here’s forty duccats.
And could you but convey a Letter for me
L 2To
The Novella.
To my
Franciſco, take a hundred more.
Fra.Knew you but my deſire to further Lovers
You need not bid ſo much. Give me the Letter.
I muſt be privy unto all I carry,
Where I meet doubts, I never undertooke.
Fla.Nay I dare truſt you (Read it if you pleaſe).
Fra.Indeed you may. To wrong an innocence
(Reads
So ſweet as yours were ſin inexpiable.
(it
Fla.But will you gi’t him Faith? I never ſwore
Nor urg’d a body to an oath before.
Fra.Tis given already
Flavia. Hence diſguiſe,
More yet? nay all ſhall off. Doe you know me yet?
Fla.O my
Franciſco!
Shee ſwounds
Fra.Curs’d be this idle habit
In which my impious curioſity,
To make a tryall of her conſtancy
Hath wounded her ſo deepe with jealouſy
Of a miſtruſt in me, that now ſhee faints
Under the paſſion; and herhaps may die ſo,
Aſt.Slight what meane you ſir
?
Fra.By all the bliſſe that a true Lover wiſhes ――――
Aſt.Will you hold your peace?
Fra.By all the oathes and practiſes of Lovers ――――
Aſt.Will you undoe all now?
Fra.I was not jealous of thy conſtancy,
Flavia! my Love, my Life
! my
Flavia.
Aſt.Will you loſe all you came for with your
Fra.Help me; for Love’s ſake helpe to make her ſpeak,
Aſt.Would you could old your peace;
Whilſt I looke down to ſcape diſcovery,
[L 2v]Sheel
The Novella.
Shee’l come to her ſelfe againe, and you too; feare not:
’Tis but a qualme of kindnes, this.
Aſt.Pray doe you peace. Handle her handſomly,
And then all ſhall be well I warrant you,
You doe not know the danger, noyſe and nakedneſſe
May pull upon you, ſhould the Rogue
Dwarfe overheare you, we were all blowne up,
Which to prevent, all huſht while I goe down.
Exit.
Fra.Be cheard my Love, I came to reſcue thee;
And hir’d this habit and the Pedlers craft;
Prayd for her abſence, and her ſilence too,
And caus’d a
Gondalo wait at the back dore
In caſe I might ſurpriſe thee. Pray take comfort.
Fla.You need not bid, nor wiſh it in theſe armes,
Who ever praye’s for thoſe in Paradiſe
?Bell rings.
Ay me! How ſoon my feares controule my bliſſe?
I have blaſphem’d in my ſecurity,
And terror threats my downfall into torment.
Enter Aſtutta.
Aſt.Out, out alas my Maſter in all haſt――――
Aſt.It is too late to aſke,
Or now to d’on your Pedlers weeds againe:
Gather ’em up and fly into your cloſet,
Dreſſe him up there. Stay not to look about ye.
(Exit Fra.
I’le doe my beſt to keepe him back a little.
Fla.
Enter Guadagni, and Nanulo.
Gua.None elſe to ſpeake with mee?
Nan.None but the merchanteſſe to fit my Miſtris,
I ſee that all goes well. No croſſe but one,
L 3That
The Novella.
That I forgot a writing, which in haſt
I am conſtrain’d to fetch. Now where’s my Girle?
Aſt.Above ſir, buſy with the daintieſt things,
That e’re allur’d a virgin into wedlock.
Out with your purſe ſir, for you cannot ſee ’hem,
But they will raviſh you to large expence:
Beſides ſir, ’twill be fit you give her ſomething,
Coming ſo jumpe as ’twere into the Market.
Gua.I will not ſee ’em. Put the woman by
Into the Gallery, or ſomewhere remote,
Aſt.You ſhall not need to urge it.
Exit.
Gua.No no: my coſt is amply ſhown already:
And will be more, before the Wedding’s over.
Without a needleſſe waſt in Gawds and Trifles,
(One rings
See who’s at doore.
Exit Nan.
A fathers care conſiſts not in expence
That is not qualified with providence.
Enter Nanulo.
Nan.Signior
Pantaloni, ſir ſends after you
He and your advocates expect you in haſt
To bring away the Writing.
Gua.Say I am comming.
Exit.
Aſt.What have you done with him?
Enter Flavia, and Aſtutta above.
Fla.Our haſt and feares could not find time to dreſs him
But I have lock’d him up into that preſſe.
Aſt.Your Father’s coming up to ſeek a writing,
Pray Love it be not there.
Aſt.Well hold you peace, looke bold and chearfully,
And be you ſilent, youth: nor cough, nor ſtink;
Nor let your feare run forth in ſtreams of urine
To make him thinke his
Aqua vita ſpilt.
Gua.Where are you
Flavia?
Within.
[L 3v]Fla.
The Novella.
Aſt.You were beſt betray all with your ſillineſſe.
Aſt.Here father, here ſir,
You will not I ſhall anſwer for you when hee’s here?
Come, look as nothing were, all will be nought elſe.
Enter Guadagni above.
Gua.Tis here that I would have thee
Flavia.
Give me the Key of this preſſe here.
Fla.O Father, Father――――
Shee falls.
Gua.What’s the matter? ha!
Aſt.Alas poore heart
! you know ſir, in her infancy,
You beat her once for loſing of a Key:
For which ſhee trembles ſtill, being aſk’d in haſt.
Are you a child ſtill in your feares, and muſt
Be wed to morrow? Fy, fy upon you,
Shee thinks ſhee has loſt it, but I ſaw her look it
Togither with a writing which you dropt
Out of this preſſe this morning, ſafe enough
Gua.Tis like I let it fall.
Aſt.Where is your Key of this? Give mee’t, give mee’t.
How haſt and feare perplexes her! I could
Gua.Doe, or break it open.
(Shee lets the
Aſt.Ay me the fruits of raſhnes
? See, tis fallen
(Cabinet
With all her Jewells and your writing too
(fall out of
Into the ſtreet. O my unlucky hand!
(the Window.
Gua.Peace giddy headed harlot, watch that none
Take it away, while I runne to recover’t,
Nanulo,
Aſt.Will you be nimble yet to finde a way
L 4By
The Novella.
By the back-dore into the
Gondalo.
While I lock him and’s man into the ſtreet?
I know their haſt will leave the Keyes i’th,dore.
Quickly unpreſſe him; and take as much gold
As you can carry, i’le along wy’e too.
Stay not to think, or thank me for my wit.
Aſt.Do as you are bidden, and ſay nothing.
Fra.Lovers ſhall ſaint thee; and this day ſhall be
For ever callenderd to
Love and thee.
Exit.
Enter a Zaffie, taking up the Cabinet, to him Nicolo
in a Zaffies habit.
Gua.Nanulo! The Key to let me forth.
Within.
Zaff.St.
Marke and fortune make it a good prize.
Nic.Hands off Sir, that’s not yours.
Zaff.Nor yours I am ſure.
Nic.Halfe part then brother
Zaffi.
Zaff.Sir you are none oth’
Zaffi.
Gua.Villaine, ſlave! come open the dore.
Zaff.How came you by this habit?
Nic.Perhaps to trie ſir how it will become me
When I have a minde to be as very a Knave
In office as your ſelfe. But ſhall we ſl p
Aſide, and ſhare, before the dog that owes it
Take the bone from us both?
Enter Guadagni, Nanulo.
Gua.I feare you can be quicker in my abſence.
Nan.The fault was in your haſt ſir.
Gua.Took you not up a Cabinet, friends?
Gua.O you watch well above there.
Nan.This fellow has it under his coat ſir.
Zaff.But who ſhall know’t for yours ſir?
Nic.May we be bold to aſke what marks it has,
[L 4v]Or
The Novella.
Gua.I’le have you ear-mark’d Villaines for your theft,
Zaff.I cry your worſhip mercy, and am glad
I was your inſtrument to preſerve this treaſure
From this falſe counterfet.
Nic.Fortune has ſent my maſter to relieve me.
Enter Pantaloni Checquino, Proſpero.
Pan.Signior
Guadagni our Councell have thought fit,
For better confirmation of our act,
That it be paſt here in your Daughters preſence
Together with my Son, whom I have ſent for,
Why doe you ſeeme thus mov’d
?
Gua.An accident hath croſt me. Look you ſir,
You have authority; Here’s a Counterfet
(Deſerves examination) would have rob’d me.
Nic.I ſav’d you ſir from being rob’d. Heare me aſide
Sir――――
Nicolo whiſpers Pant.
Gua.Carry this in; and ſend away the woman
(He gives
Nic.Now do you know me, I have done the feat.
(the
Pan.Haſt treated with the Hangman
Nicolo?
(Cabinet
Nic.The
Carnifex is fitted for your ſervice,
(to Nan,
In a moſt gorgeous hab t of a Dutchman,
(who knocks
And about five i’th’ evening will be with her.
(at dore.
Nan.Aſtutta! Madona
Flavia! Aſtutta!
Gua.What’s the matter there
?
Pan.The beſt jeſt, ha, ha, ha.
Pan.It will be mirth to morrow at our feaſt
To laugh our bellies full.
Nan.I am ſure you heare me
Foole me, but not my maſter: he is here.
Gua.Why ſtay you there ſirrah?
Pan.I let him goe: a merry harmleſſe fellow.
[L 5]I’le
The Novella.
I’le anſwer for him. Hence, away, and ſhift you,
And quickly ſend my Son.
Exit. Nic.
Nan.The dore is faſt ſir, and they will not heare
Gua.I feare I am undone.
Flavia, Aſtutta, hoe!
Tis ſo, tis ſo, ſome Robbers are ſlipt in,
And now make havock of my goods and Daughter.
Pan.It is no dallying. Run and fetch a Smith
(Ex. Nan.
Gua.Aſtutta, Flavia! O this curſed chance
I feare will ruine me and all my hopes.
Enter Pedler woman.
Ped.Sir by good appointment
To bring Bride-laces, Gloves, and curious Dreſſings
To deck your Daughter on her Brideale-day,
To morrow as I weene, holds it I pray?
Gua.Were you not here before, and in the houſe
?
Ped.If you could put it off ſir one day longer
I could ſo fit her with new faſhiond tires
That ſhee ſhould thanke me.
Gua.I fear a new, and further ſecret miſchief.
Nan.Hence let me fall to earth; I may not ſee
(Nanulo.
My Maſters fury riſe out of his ruine.
(above.
Gua.How gotſt thou thither?
Nan.By the back-dore which I found widely open.
Gua.Raviſh’d or murderd is ſhee?
Nan.Worſe, worſe, by far ſir, ſhee is conveyd hence,
The Neighbours from the windowes o’re the way
Saw her, the Mayd, and a young Man take boat.
They gueſſe it was
Franciſco.
Nan.Loaden with Caſkets ſir. Here’s his
Deceptio viſus.
[L 5v]The
The Novella.
The curſed cloak, that charm’d my honeſt care;
(Nan. ſhows
And here’s his jugling Box. What toyes are theſe!
(the ha-
Gua.O me accurſed wretch.
(bit, the cord, &c,
Enter Nicolo.
Nic.Sir, no where to be found
In private let me tell you, he ſlipt forth
At four i’th’ Morning; ſir, when you and I
Were you know where. He caſt forth doubtfull words
Of a vagary he would fetch at
Rome.
Pan.We both are wrought upon by helliſh Magick.
Gua.Devills are in this plot.
Pan.Though you ſirs, being Lawyers, think there’s none
VVe may both thinke there are, and fear ’em.
Chec.Forbear ſuch talke; and think upon the mirth,
The jeſt you have in hand againſt to morrow.
Pan.Sir, uſe your jerks and quillets at the bar.
Gua.Caſt there your petulant wit on miſery.
Chec.Sir, you miſtake, my counſell is to comfort,
Be not dejected, but ſeeke ſpeedy way
To circumvent the wit has wrought upon you.
Gua.Good ſir, your beſt adviſe.
Chec.Firſt charge this officer
Here, with this woman; who by’examination
Ped.I can diſcover nothing but my ware ſir,
Nor part with that for leſſe then ready money.
Zaff.Miſtris come with me.
Zaff.You ſhall know that hereafter.
Ped.VVhat can I diſcover?
[L 6]Ped.
The Novella.
Ped.VVhat can I diſcover
?Exit Zaff. Ped.
Chec.Into your houſe ſir now, and ſecure that;
Come, recollect your ſelfes, call home the ſtrength
Of your approved judgements, wee’l aſſiſt you.
Pros.You muſt be ſoddaine too in this your purſuit;
Adviſe and do at once, uſe no delay;
The ſpeedieſt courſe is now the ſafeſt way.
Exeunt Om.
ACT IV. SCENE II.
Fabritio like the glorious Dutchman, Horatio, Piſo.
Fab.FOund you the Fort, then, ſo impregnable
?
Hor.Againſt all force of armes, or bizines.
Pi.No way but by the down-right compoſition
Of the two thouſand Duccats to be enter’d.
Fab.Sure tis ſome noble wench then you imagine,
But my diſguiſe ſhall put her to the teſt.
Hor.I’m ſure ſhe jeerd me out of my
Monſieurſhip.
Fab.Did ſhe, and all thy fine French qualities
?
Pis.And is as like to make a ſkitter brooke
Of you in your Dutch ſlops. For if ſhe be not,
After all this, a cunning whore, i’me couzen’d.
Hor.Shee lives at a good rate how ere maintaind.
Pi.The ſecret way, man, by her commings in
Too common among women for their livings,
I’le not believe her wit and feature are
Fab.Thou art no worſhipper of faire women
Piſo
Pi.No, If I worſhip any of ’hem more.
Then in the Knee-trick, that is neceſſary
In their true uſe let me be eunuchiz’d.
[L 6v]Look
The Novella.
Looke here’s your fathers Pimpe againe.
Nic.Saw you my young Maſter Gentlemen?
Hor.Yes, there he ſtands, tranſlated out of ſober
Nic.I ſweare he was paſt my reading,
Slight, he appeares as like the noted
Almaine
Late come to town, if he had but his beard――――
Fab.How like you this for a beard?
But pray take heed your ſtay ſpoyle not the purpoſe
Fab.Why what news
Nicolo?
Nic.Your Father is in buſy queſt of you.
Fab.Then he dos miſſe me?
Nic.Pray
Phoebus he miſſe as much of Madneſſe,
He and his vertuous brother old
Guadagni,
Who miſſes too his Daughter.
Franciſco has her.
Nic.And ſhee has got him on by this time: they
Hor.But how I pray thee ſcap’d they?
There’s a ſtrange fellow without deſires to ſpeake w’yee
I gueſſe hee is ſome
Bravo.
Hor.A
Bravo ſpeake with me?
Nic.Yes, and inquires here for my Maſter too,
And Signior
Piſo, you are all known it ſeemes.
Pi.Come leave your fooling.
Nic.By mine Eares tis true.
Hor.Goe call him in, I feare no Knavery.
Pi.Your lodging protects me.
Fab.My diſguiſe me.
Puts on his falſe beard.
[L 7]Enter
The Novella.
Enter Nicolo, Paulo.
Nic.This is the Gentleman.
Pi.Tis the proud Braches whiſke!
Pau.I cry you mercy ſir, are you Signior
Horatio?
I tooke you ſir this morning for a Monſieur.
I thanke you for my Duccatoun.
Hor.What! Is ſhee come about? Has ſhee ſent
Pau.Good ſir! are you here too? I thank you ſir,
You payd me your entrance, but no parting fee.
Pi.Prithee deſerve no beating till thou haſt done
Thy errand. What doſt come for?
Pau.Sir, to intreat this Gentleman to bring
With him one Signior
Piſo, and
Fabritio――――
Beyond my hopes! Good ſir, are you here too?
Fab.This is a Devill! could he know me elſe
That nere ſaw him before; in this diſguiſe?
Pau.Cry’mercy ſir: you would not theſe ſhould know
Nor ſhall they (I feare it not) but hark you ſir.
Nic.What Familiars theſe Bawds are. They’l talke yet
Thus to Lords in private.
Pi.Sure he takes him for the Dutch loggerhead
We ſaw to day in the
Piazzo.
Hor.So would any man: Hee has hit his ſhape ſo
Pau.I am ſure I rejoyce in theſe Dollors, that you
Give me to day, and are as certaine, that
My Miſtris wiſh’d a better dinner for you
For frighting of the Spaniard with your fireworks.
But, by your ſtrangers it ſeemes you repent
The Marriage offer that you made my Miſtres.
Fortune direct you to no worſe a wife,
And ſo I leave you to your choyce.
Fab.I have found the error, and will make good uſe
[L 7v]Hor.
The Novella.
Hor.Your buſineſſe then is to that ſtrangers Sir――――
Pau.Only your ſelfe, and briefly from
Franciſco.
Pau.Where but at our houſe ſir? he and his Bride
Craving your company and thoſe Gentlemen
Pau.For no diſparagement unto their worths, ſir,
But private reaſons yet unknown to me
Wherein you ſhall be ſatisfied at your comming.
Hor.But are they Married?
Pau.I brought the Prieſt to’em;
And ſaw them lawfully coupled, and before
Sufficient witneſſes, that ſaw ’em chamberd,
Shee was his own Church-ſure before I left’em,
And he has made her Cock-ſure, ſir by this time,
Hor.Goe i’le follow thee.
Pau.But where is that
Fabritio?
Pi.Wee’l finde him too. Jog you ſir on before
:
You are no ſtreet companion for us.
Pau.I am gone ſir――――
Exit.
Hor.You have heard all
Fabritio; what dee thinke
Fab.Nothing; nor nothing will till I arrive
There at the full knowledge of all together.
Pi.But prithee hang thy Hangmans project now,
And beare us company in thine own ſhape.
Fab.Not for the price of the
Novella Piſo,
I’le try her to the quick. You’l give me leave
To make prize of her if I can, I croſt not you.
Hor.We wiſh you ſafe aboard ſir.
Fab.On before then.
Exit Hor. Piſo.
Now
Nicolo; your diſguiſe againe oth
Zaffi.
Nic.O, it is ready; and I know my quue.
[L 8]Fab.
The Novella.
Fab.Who ſee me, in this ſtraine, ſeeme to outſtrip
The bounds of filiall duty, let (withall)
Their obſervation, by my juſt ends, gather,
Tis not to loſe, but to recall a father.