ACT V. SCENE I.
Victoria, Franciſco, Flavia, Aſtutta, Jacconetta.
Vic.Now Lady, has your entertainment pleas’d you
In the
Novella’s houſe? is all well yet?
Fla.So well, that now come Father Friends, and all
The friendly Foes that did oppoſe my bliſſe
I can maintaine my cauſe in theſe ſafe armes
’Gainſt all their Frownes and Furies.
Vic.And your Miſtris is over, too, I hope ſir
The place is not ſo dangerous as it was.
Fra.Lady your nobleneſſe ſhown in this great bounty,
Hath not alone wip’d off my ſoule ſuſpition:
But ſcor’d upon my breaſt an endleſſe ſumme
Of thanks; which I, unable to diſcharge,
Muſt not preſume to live, but as your Creature;
Nor will I further dare to tempt your goodneſſe
In deeper ſearch of what your reaſon was
(Paſt all my hopes and wiſhes) to provide
For me; I will not ſum in ſuch a ſcruple:
For ſure, I hold you for a power Divine
(Paſt all the fictions of the fabulous times
Faſhioning out the Gods in earthly formes)
Sent by the higheſt providence to helpe me.
Vic.You take too deepe a ſenſe of curteſie!
But ſee, are theſe your friends?
[L 8v]Enter
The Novella.
Enter Paulo, with Horatio, and Piſo.
Your ſuffrage Lady, I may bid them welcome.
Vic.Your Bride and I will both ſupply you in it.
Neither of theſe is he they call
Fabritio?
Pau.No, but hee’s ſent for; and comes inſtantly.
Exit.
Fra.This is the Lady I am bound to ſerve.
Vic.Setting aſide your ſuit ſir.
Hor.I cannot promiſe that.
I had her double price in ready Duccats,
For what ſhe has done, and tother doe beſides.
Vic.You ſtill ſtand in your good conceit of me.
Pi.Yes, and I would ſo ſtand to’t, ha――――
Vic.You are a merry Gentleman.
Fra.I will not whiſper it,
Horatio,
The woman that I dealt with for diſguiſe
Was wrought before by this moſt matchleſſe Lady
To croſſe the Match twixt
Flavia and
Fabritio;
And had undone it though I had done nothing,
And ere ſhe would condition with me,
Oblig’d me, by an oath, (in caſe we ſcap’d)
To bring her hither to this Ladies houſe.
I kept that oath, and here you find us welcom’d.
Pi.Then thou haſt done’t, would I had ſtill the Duccats
Enter Paulo, whiſpers with Victoria.
Vic.Wee’l talke of that hereafter.
Pi.What acted you,
Tit, in this Comedy?
Aſt.The Chambermayde, a kind of putter forwards,
Fra.Shee has done ſo well,
That, if a Match in
Venice may be found
By my beſt care, i’le helpe her to a Huſband,
MFor
The Novella.
For ſhee deſerves a good one.
Aſt.And if he prove not ſo, I am like to prove
A good one my ſelfe, and make him ſomething.
Pi.Thou wilt, I find it in a villanous caſt
Hor.And what thinke you of this?
By Jacconetta
Pi.Even ſuch another, of another hue,
Shee has a deviliſh gloat too.
Vic.Gallants, I find you merry, y’are more welcome:
My man acquaints me with a preſent buſineſſe
Requiring privacy. Pleaſe you, with your friends
Goe up to the Bride-chamber, There is muſick.
Waite you reſpectively.
To Jac.
Hor.Wee’l all obſerve you Lady.
Exeunt.
Pi.But Lady, if you receive the Duccats
Before you come to us, pray bring our ſhares,
Wee all connive you know.
Follow your Friends, i’le follow you ſtreight way.
Ex. Pi.
How dreames he of this money
? he knows nothing,
An Engliſh Factor, ſay you
Borgio?
Pau.Yes Miſtris, a brave fellow.
Vic.And is he ſo well money’d as to ſpare
Out of his Maſters truſt, ſo great a ſumme?
Pau.Oh hee’s a maſter here himſelfe. They are
Abroad, the royallſt Nation of the World.
What rich Venetian Rarity has not
The Engliſh Money-maſters purchac’d from
Princes and States, to beare home as their triumphs?
And for their pleaſures ――――but i’le ſay no more;
Hee thinks I ſtay too long for him to wait
Without, with ſo much money.
Pau.Moſt brightly ſhining! Hee’s now telling it
In the next roome! He comes not to tender
[M 1v]The
The Novella.
The value of it in fine qualities
Like your ſuppos’d
Monſieur: but in caſh!
Caſh! caſh of Gold! Oh tis a tempting ſight;
Able to damne a Noble womans honour.
What’s your deſcent? But poore I make no queſtion:
Why, this will ſet you up and make you noble.
Vic.This way of his might ſerve to turn the blood
That has but any tincture of good in it
From touching ſuch a bait, yet he thinks now
He ſpurres me to it. But
Bravo I will fit you.
Pau.Now my Blood and Braine,
Be ſtrong and ſodaine, ſtay,
Pau.To ſee him weigh his gold. Oh dainty ſight!
He brought his weights in’s pocket: juſt Gentleman
He will be ſure you ſhall not want a graine
Of your full price of ſweet damnation.
Vic.Hee’s doing no ſuch thing.
Pau.No, no, I have it now.
Vic.I pray thee goe, thou knowſt not how the thought
Of ſo much gold, and the conceit o’th’ Maydenhead
Loſt i’ the houſe to day ſets my virginity
Pau.Are you ſo ready? then I fly.
Enter above, Piſo, Horatio.
Vic.What ayles the fellow troe!
Pi.I muſt yet have an eye upon this female
To quit my jealouſy, or catch her i’th nick.
Hor.Here we may ſee, and heare all undiſcover’d.
Pi.Watch cloſe, he comes.
Enter Swatzenburg, like a Merchant with
a full Bagge.
Swa.By your leave Lady, I come not a pure Sutor
(VVith ſtudyed Oratory; nor addreſſe a Sonnet,
M 2Or
The Novella.
Or trifling Love-toyes to perſwade admittance
By ſlow degrees into your inmoſt favour)
But a rich purchacer, that brings, at once,
The golden Summe, and Price of your enjoying.
Here precious
Beauty, made by this more precious
!
Take your full due, and render readily
The full tuition of my wealthy purchace.
Let not the glorious ſight of this amaze you,
Though it be granted, ſodaine apprehenſion
Of ſuch bright bleſſings may tranſport a ſoule
Into high raptures, when it is conſiderd,
The Ornament of youth, the ſtrength of age,
Lifes great maintainer, Lady, let not this
At all tranſmute you. For i’le bring ſupplies
That ſhall ſo frequently acquaint you with
Such ſights as theſe, that you ſhall grow regardleſſe
Even of the care to keepe them, in reſpect
Of the delicious pleaſure brings them in
:
Delay not therefore that high purchac’d pleaſure,
That brings this to you, by a Minutes loſſe
Vic.Sir I have heard you.
Enter Paulo behinde with piſtolls.
And now muſt let you know, tis not the ſight
Of that your glorious ſumme can take my wonder;
Much leſſe my love or perſon
: my amazement
Is, that a man, that beares his Makers ſhape,
Indued with reaſon, to direct and governe
That goodly fortune; and has ſuch treaſure given him
(Beſides his greater bleſſings of the mind
By well deſpoſing of it) to advance
This worth in deeds of vertue, ſhould deſcend
[M 2v]Below
The Novella.
Below the ſenſe of Beaſts, to part with that,
Allotted for his livelyhood and honour
To waſt it, and himſelfe in beaſtiall Luſt.
Pi.I know not what to make o’this wench.
Vic.Beſides ſir, were it well examin’d,
The golden ſumme you tender is, perhaps,
None of your proper own: I underſtand
You are anothers Factor, I preſume
In all your Catalogue of Merchandiſe
You finde no warrant to buy Maydenheads.
Is ſuch a thing in all your bills of Lading
?
They are no way tranſportable, tho’ you allow
For fraught and leakage halfe the worth; and leſſe
Returnable by way of exchange. How can
You take up a virginity in
Venice,
And make a London-payment of it, on
Sight of your bill, or ſix or ten dayes after?
Swa.Nay then you dally with me, and I muſt
Deale plaine and briefly with you. Here’s the price,
And either render me my juſt demand,
Or I ſhall take for your diſgrace an order
Shall ſpue you forth the City.
I am inſnar’d. I have but one way left
To fly from ſhame, or fall to utter Ruine.
Pi.I begin to ſuſpect her honeſt.
Swa.Your anſwer Gentlewoman.
The Law hath made me yours. And I have now
No Court but Conſcience to relieve me in.
Kneels
Vic.If the ſtrong paſſion of a Virgin ſoule,
M 3Expreſt
The Novella.
Expreſt in bitterſt teares, move not your pitty,
This ſhall prevent your cruelty
A Knife
Pi.Shee’l prove honeſt o’ my life.
Vic.Keepe at that diſtance ſir, and you ſhall know:
Come nearer, and I will not live to tell you.
Swa.Pray riſe and ſpeak your ſtory: yet I tell you,
I hold it very ſtrange, that ſo much money
And ſuch a one as I (none of th’unhandſomſt)
Should not goe down with a young wench, and one
Of the profeſſion you pretend to be of
Before cold Iron! Me thinks moſt unnaturall.
Thinke better yet before you utter further.
Vic.Tis true, I am indeed a meere pretender
To the profeſſion you ſuppos’d me of;
A ſpotleſſe Virgin (by my utmoſt hopes)
And will remaine ſo till I am a Bride.
Pi.Too honeſt to be a woman!
Swa.Why tooke you this deceiving habit then
?
Vic.I am about to tell you for your pitty.
I am a
Romane borne, of good diſcent;
My father noble (of the
Candiani)
How ere decay’d in fortune, ere he dyed;
Which drew on my Miſfortune
: For, being betroth’d
Unto a wealthy heire, here, of this City,
Who ſojourn’d then in
Rome, his covetous Father
Rav ſh’d his faith from me, to give’t another;
And calld him haſtily from
Rome to
Venice.
I followd him, in hope to croſſe the Match,
And ſo regaine him; towards which already,
Pi.Fabritio’s wench my life on’t.
Swa.VVhat in this habit, as a
Curtezan?
[M 3v]Vic.
The Novella.
Vic.Not without good adviſe: For, by this meanes
I draw the eyes of all the youthfull Gentry,
Not without hope to gaine a ſight of him.
My price and port keepe back inferiour perſons.
Nor loſe I honour by it: For the ſtrictnes
Of our
Italian cenſure gives a virgin,
That held familiarity with any Man,
By way of Marriage treaty, and then forſaken,
Loſt in repute; ſhee is no honeſt woman
Untill that man doe vindicate her honor.
Swa.But ſhould hee finde you here, what were his
Vic.Here he ſhould find what his diſloyalty
Had wrought me to; and ſhould reſtore me firme
On my firſt baſis, or exchange a life
For mine ere we would part.
Swa.This ſounds yet well.
Pau.I’le truſt thee now. Thou art a noble wench,
Thou hadſt kiſs’d Death by this elſe. Now i’le truſt
Vic.If he were loſt by Marriage of another,
I would remove with ſuch a teſtimony
Of my reſerved honour (in deſpight
Of this my outward carriage, for my ends;
Maugre the ſterne conſtruction of my countrey)
That ſtrangers ſhould receive me; and ſome one
More noble then himſelfe――――
Swa.Tis done, and I am he that does it.
Vic.I cannot ſir, but kindly take your offer
:
But, if my firſt love faile me, there is one,
A noble
German, that commenc’d his ſuit
Swa.I am he too Lady――――Looke well upon me
M 4That
The Novella.
That in this ſhift, reducing of my beard,
VVith this ſupply of money came to try you,
I finde you noble, and above it, honeſt.
Pi.This is the
German that
Fabritio apes.
Hor.And he ſhould come now.
Enter Jacomo to them above.
Indeed it is not civill in you to pry beyond
Your hoſpitable uſage, pray forbeare.
Hor.Tis timely chidden wench, we will obay thee.
Jac.Beſides the Bridegroome, and the Bride ex-
Pi.O ha they done we come, we come.
Exit Hor. Pi.
Vic.This jealous tryall now of yours (how ere
You have expreſt ſtrong arguments of love)
Has not augmented you in my affection.
Swa.O ſay not ſo ſweete Lady, i’le redeeme it.
Vic.I cannot yet believe you are the Man,
You are ſo chang’d from what you ſeem’d to day,
Muſt the minde alter with the outward habit
?
Enter Paulo.
Pau.Miſtris the
German ――――
Vic.Here he is man, he ſayes.
Pau.I ſay he is without, and craves to ſee you.
Vic.How can this be? or who can I believe?
Pau.Good ſir depart and make roome for your ſelfe
Your proper ſelfe to enter the Dutch Prince.
Swa.I tell thee I am he, and here already,
Pau.Yes in your tother beard ſir.
Hans Snortanfart, are you not? well I can but warn you,
If you will needs ſtand to the taking off
A mans good name from him before his face,
Then take what followes. I will fetch him in
Miſtris, you were beſt be out of ſight a while;
[M 4v]Your
The Novella.
Your preſence with this ſtranger may whet up his fury
To cut all our throats elſe.
Vic.I’le take your councell.
Exit
Pau.For ſir i’le tell you, if you had but ſeene
How he worried a
Spaniard to day, you would
Have beene able at your returne to make
As many of your Countreymen, as thrive
By ſerving of the
States to laugh ifaith.
Swa.I tell thee I am he; ’twas I that chac’d
Pau.I tell you yet againe
You were beſt be gone before the He indeed
Come in to chace you after him.
Swa.I’le ſtand the hazard.
Pau.See his impatience pulls him in already.
Enter Fabritio in the Germans habit.
Fab.Where is this Lady? Dos her beauty flie me?
Pau.Shee is at hand, but firſt here is a ſtranger,
A moſt ſtrange ſtranger that ſayes he is you ſir.
Swa.Was oder wer biſtu?
Biſtu ein Deutſcher?
Sag
mihr in was ort Du gelebſt haſt?
Swa.Ich denke du biſt ein heuchler;
biſtu aber ein Deut-
ſcher ſo anwort mihr in deutſcher ſprach.
Fab.Good ſir ſpeake in the proper language of
The Nation we are in, though it come brokenly
From you that this good fellow here may underſtand us.
Swa.Thou ſon of impudence, and impoſture, ſpeake;
Fab.Thinke what thine owne muſt be, thou ſon of
Swa.Precious counterfeit
!
But I am weaponleſſe, and muſt fetch ſtrength
Of officers to right me.
Exit
Fab.What dos your ſhame remove you ſir?
[M 5]Pau.
The Novella.
Pau.What can this Raſcall meane?
Swa.I care not honeſt fellow, where’s thy Miſtris?
Enter Victoria.
Pau.Dos ſhee fright you ſir
?
Fab.I aſke thee for thy Miſtris, the
Novella.
Pau.What appeares ſhee to you?
Fab.Thou powerfull man in
Magick, I will tell thee.
Th’ haſt rays’d an apparition, that has damn’d thee
Blacker, then thy black art; nay hell it ſelfe.
Pau.Bleſſe us! more madneſſe yet
!
Fab.The heavenly ſpirit, that inſpir’d this forme,
(When the unworthy world enjoyd her being,
VVhich thou haſt conjur’d into this lewd habit)
Has, at this inſtant won the powers above
To ſinke thee and thy ſorcerers.
Pau.VVhat may you meane? Here is no ſorcery,
This woman’s Fleſh and Blood.
Fab.I would not dare to try to be the Duke.
Pau.You may depart, pray hinder not the houſe.
Fab.Hadſt thou but ſeen, as I have, one like her,
And noted the divinity in her lookes
(Although in thoſe adulterate incitements
Shee ſeemes to wear) ſhe would have ſtruck thy ſoule
VVith fervent adoration, not baſe luſt.
Pau.I know not what to ſay to ’him.
Bell rings.
Vic.See who rings.
Exit Paulo.
What divine creature, ſir, was that you mention’d?
Fab.I dare to name her to thee, though thou be
Her incens’d Ghoſt, to worke me to deſpaire,
Vic.This ſounds moſt ſtrangely! Have you beene at
Fab.’Twas there I ſaw and lov’d her.
Vic.Anſwer me pray ſir, why could not this fall
[M 5v]In
The Novella.
In your diſcourſe to day, when I related
My Life and Fortune to you
? why do you ſtart
?
I am no ſhadow; but ſuſpect you rather,
To be not as you ſeeme, the noble
German
That vowd me love, dos that too ſtartle you
?
See ſir, to prove I am no aery ſpirit,
I’le truſt your hand (if you be mortall ſubſtance)
VVith ſo much fleſh and blood as may reſolve you.
Fab.I find tis ſhe, and having found her thus
Shee’s loſt for ever, and my ſelfe no leſſe.
That was the cauſe of this her deſperate fortune.
Vic.VVhat’s that you ſay? what aile you ſir
? how iſt
?
And what moves thy deſtraction?
Borgio, ſpeak.
Enter Paulo.
Pau.Horror and ſhame invades us, all the houſe
Is round beſet with officers. The Magiſtrates
Are entering now, for what, or whom they ſearch
I cannot gueſſe, unleſſe this be ſome Murderer
Slipt in, to draw our lives in qu ſtion.
Vic.Deale plainly ſir, what are you? hee’s ſtupified
!
Pau.The Spanyard’s with ’hem too that took th’affront
By the ſuppoſed Dutchman here to day;
And he that fain’d himſelfe to be that Dutchman
Deſires their aid againſt this unknown perſon.
Enter Pantaloni, Pedro, Guadagni, Swatz. Proſpero,
Checquino, Zaffi, Pedler-woman.
Gua.This is the houſe you ſay.
Ped.And this is the Gentlewoman.
Gua.Give me my Daughter, Harlot.
Vic.Here’s no ſuch creature, here ſir, if ſhe be
Your Daughter, this woman directed hither,
Shee is no Harlot, but an honeſt Bride;
Lawfully wed and bedded; as may appeare
[M 6]By
The Novella.
By the ſtrong teſtimony of divers friends
:
Call them all downe.
Exit Paulo.
Pant.Unheard-of impudence! Are Bawdes, and
Fit Matchmakers for
Magnificoe’s Daughters
?
Vic.Speake lower, or at home ſir, you know not
VVhat we are
: Harke you ſir――――your laſt nights triall
Did not enough informe you.
Pant.VVe ſhall know more anon;
I’th’ meane time what are you
?
Pant.VVe ſhall know more of that anon too.
Ped.This is the ſtranger, that affronted me;
’Gainſt whom I crave your Juſtice.
Pant.You ſhall know more anon too.
Swat.And this is my Abuſer.
Pant.You alſo ſhall know more anon.
Gua.You are well met Gentle-woman ――――I gave
Enter Paulo, Franciſco, Piſo, Horat, Flavia,
Aſtutta, Jacconetta.
Aſt.VVhat will you whimper now? will not marriage
Make you bold, that makes ſo many impudent?
Shee was not loſt ſir; nor in danger of loſing,
Shee was but miſlayd a little, as your VVriting was
Pi.VVell ſaid my chattring Magpy. I will ſide
Gua.Audacious ſtrumpet that ſeduces my Daughter.
Pi.You are Miſtaken, ſhee did but wait upon her.
Aſt.Right ſir, and did but duty i’le be ſworne.
Ped.Nor I, I will be ſworne.
Gua.Not, in conſenting to the ſtealth?
Ped.It was my duty ſir for the reward,
[M 6v]VVe
The Novella.
VVee all would live you know.
Ped.I hope I am diſcharg’d: for looke you ſir,
I brought you where you finde your Daughter ſafe.
Ped.No whit the worſe for wearing, as they ſay.
Gua.Goe thruſt her out of dores.
Ped.At my owne liberty I hope.
Gua.How thou wilt to be rid of thee.
Ped.May you ſee your Childrens, Childrens, Childrens,
Pant.And thou miſledſt my Sonne, I aſke him
Pi.You ſhall know more of that anon ſir.
Pant.Out-brav’d and ſcornd by Strumpets, Bawds, and
Pi.And call the common Hangman if you pleaſe,
And end all ’mong your ſelfes, if your grave wiſdomes,
And Lawyers, here, can find one guilty perſon
(Horatia and
VVee’l all ſubmit our necks to you.
(Franciſco, &c.,
Gua.Tis boldly ſpoken.
(talke aſide with
Pi.I will ſpeake but truth.
(Fabritio and
And you, oppoſing it, ſhall wrong the dignity
(Victoria.
You beare i’th’ City, to your utter ſhames.
This Gentleman and your Daughter were contracted,
Your ſelfe a willing witneſſe; your Son likewiſe
Unto a noble virgin (Sir of whom
You ſhall know more anon)
It pleas’d diviner providence to take
From eithers choſen mate their earthly fortunes;
Yet each had perſon, blood, and vertue left
Above the value of a Princes dowry.
VVould you ſo Kick at heaven then, in deſpight,
Of its great Ordinance, as to force your children,
[M 7]To
The Novella.
To forfeit both their faiths, thereby to loſe
The never-fayling hope of future bleſſings,
To pull withall a curſe on your own heads,
That could no leſſe then ruine your eſtates,
And render you moſt wretched in your dotage,
Paſt helpe or hope how to relieve your ſelfes
:
Your conſciences ſtill groaning underneath
The laſhes that your Childrens baſtard iſſue
Should lay upon you
? more, you may conſider――――
Pant.We doe conſider ſir, this place and people
No fit receipt for warrantable buſineſſe.
Pi.This was no bawdy talke ſir, nor have I
Heard worſe from any mouth in this free place
Vic.I cannot be ſo happy. }
Fran.Let her ſee your face. }
Aſide.
Pau.You ſee the worſt of us, I ſhould be loath
Any unwarrantable act ſhould paſſe among us.
Gua.Thou lookſt like one indeed of upright Con-
Pau.And for the Marriage ſir, it is as lawfull
As if your ſelfe had given her in
St. Marks.
I’le fetch the Prieſt t’avouch it.
Gua.Fetch that Prieſt.
(Paulo joynes
Pan.But i’le be ſo reveng’d
(in conference
Upon this inſtrument, this unknowne Trull
(with Victoria
here ――――――
(and Fabritio,
Hor.Our Eares and Eyes,
Fabritio, witneſſe for her.
Fab.You have told me wonders,
Yet with ſuch faith as I ſhal ever wiſh
Lockt in this heavenly Cabinet I take all.
Pi.You may
Fabritio, for as I prize Life;
Honour ’bove that; and above both thy friendſhip,
My ſoule is not aſſur’d of firmer truth,
[M 7v]Let
The Novella.
Let thy Dutch habit drinke off jealouſy,
Vic.And I made happy paſt my height of hopes.
(Kiſs.
Pant.Good, you ſhall ſee how I ſhall coole thoſe
Pau.May I ſay boldly you are man and wife?
[Link] I’le fetch a Prieſt ſhall ſtreight pronounce yee ſo.
Exit
Pant.You ſay that is a Dutchman ſir, that wrong’d
Ped.Right, worthy
Signior, that’s the man I Chal-
Pant.You ſay you are the man confronted
Don here.
Swat.Yes, and will ſtill mayntain’t, for violence
He offerd to that noble vertuous Lady.
Pant.Good! vertuous Lady! Let mee joyne
Ped.That is the man I challenge.
Swa.The ſame man I. He has not left the houſe
Since my abuſe; I feare to her much wrong
:
For he is ſome diſguis’d Knave on my life.
Pant.Now you are in the right.
Swa.Hee could not weare thoſe Cloathes and ſpeake
Pant.Still i’ the right; i’le ſhew you what he is,
And out of him, what ſhee is, whom you call
So vertuous and ſo noble! and you ſir,
That mentioned the Hangman, come all and ſee
The commendable port this Lady beares.
It ſeems, ſir, you affect this Gentlewoman.
Fab.The beſt of any living.
Vic.Yes, he is my husband.
[M 8]Pant.
The Novella.
Pant.Would that were true ifaith. The rogue your man
Sayd he would fetch a Prieſt――――
Enter Paulo in Friers habit.
Pau.No verier Rogue then my ſelfe ſir.
Pant.Thou art a mad fellow for a Prieſt indeed;
But ſuch a Prieſt, ſuch a Marriage,
Pau.I doe pronounce them lawfull man and wife.
Pant.The Bridegroome thankes you, but you Miſtris
For the fine trick you put on me laſt night,
(Bride
Looke now upon your huſband,
Who would you ſpeake with fellow?
Enter Nicolo, as the Zaffi.
Nic.With Signior
Raſtrofico here, the Hangman,
I come to call him to State-buſineſſe ſir.
Pant.Can this be he? (you ſaid he was a counterfeit)
I ſaw him ride the Wooden-horſe, laſt day
With leſſe then halfe this beard, unbeard him ſirrah.
I’le beare you out. So reſt you Gentlemen
With your ſo vertuous Lady, and her huſband.
Vic.Sir I muſt crave your pardon, This is he,
My firſt love that I told you of.
Swa.You have it freely Lady.
Pant.I am abus’d and couzend.
Vic.I thanke you ſir for all the harme you did me
In your Revenge――――And harke you, be at peace,
And i’le be ſilent for your laſt nights worke.
Gua.Forbeare mee, I am off againe.
Stop not the bleſſing you were about to give us.
Gua.I am off againe. The pandare was the Prieſt,
The Match is no Match, you no more my Children,
Pant.I’le not be ſo couzend.
[M 8v]This
The Novella.
This is no Prieſt; and all that’s paſt unlawfull.
Pi.You will know more anon.
(Paulo
Pau.Then caſt your eyes on me, who dare maintaine
(caſts
My Prieſt-hood lawfull; it being deriv’d
(off his Perruk
From th’holy Order of St.
Auguſtine?
(and Beard.
Vic.Let me not ſurfet with exceſſe of joy?
Pau.Thy brother and thy father, vertuous ſiſter:
Be ever ſubject of my deareſt care;
And pardon me, who (jealous of thine honour
Inflam’d by the ſame heart, of the ſame blood
:
For we are all the Relicts of our Parents)
Watch’d nearely, and purſu’d thy ſcape from
Rome.
For which I had good warrant, Gentlemen
See there my diſpenſation with th’ allowance
Of all the holy brotherhood of my
Covent.
My ends were faire, though in this uncouth way
Tho’ (heaven I beg thy pardon) as my care
Was to preſerve her life and more her honour;
Fearing her violent and abuſed ſpirit,
Might have made wrack of either, or of both,
I once had ſecret purpoſe to have ta’ne
Her Life, in caſe ſhee had forſooke her honour;
And with her cut off
Candianies Line,
Which now branch’d here, may touch the worlds end
With faire ſucceſſion! Be you bleſt for ever.
And now, grave ſirs, let me intreat your likings,
And cheerefull reconcilement to your Children:
That ſo you may your Childrens, Children ſee,
Crownd by the prayers of your proſperity.
Pant.And I, but for one ſcruple.
Cleare me this point, how had you ſav’d your honor
If the old youth, laſt night (who ſhall be nameleſſe)
Had but miſ-ſpent his time upon your moore here
?
NVic.
The Novella.
Vic.’Tis eaſily done ſir, ſee my lov’d
Fabritio
The Eunuch moore you gave me.
Fab.My boy
Jacomo, turn’d Chambermayd!
Has thy Miſtris us’d thee well
?
Vic.Not without much deſert.
Jac.Shee meanes for your deare ſake ſir.
Fab.I ſee, ſweete Heart, you have an honeſt Fa-
Vic.Here you ſee all, and all that came i’th’ houſe;
(Since it was made mine) in this Convention,
I dare them not; but give them freeſt leave
To ſpeake the worſt they found in the
Novella.
Omnes.Wee all conclude y’are noble.
Pau.All’s well accorded then. Wee all are Friends,
And may Prieſts travaile never to worſe ends.
[N 1v]E P I
EPILOGUE.
[Link] CAuſe ’tis the Cuſtome, By the Poet, Sirs,
I’m ſent to crave a Plaudit, and the Spurrs
That prick him on to’t, is, his promis’d Pay
May chance to faile, if you diſlike the Play,
But don’t if you be wiſe; for hee has vow’d
To write farre worſe if this be not allow’d.
FINIS.
[N 2]