Chapter XVIII: Act II: Scene I

_The same. A Room in the Palace._

_Enter_ ROBERTO, FULGENTIO, _and_ ASTUTIO.

_Rob._ Embark'd to-night, do you say?

_Ful._ I saw him aboard, sir.

_Rob._ And without taking of his leave?

_Ast._ 'Twas strange!

_Rob._ Are we grown so contemptible?

_Ful._ 'Tis far
From me, sir, to add fuel to your anger,
That, in your ill opinion of him, burns
Too hot already; else, I should affirm
It was a gross neglect.

_Rob._ A wilful scorn
Of duty and allegiance; you give it
Too fair a name: but we shall think on 't. Can you
Guess what the numbers were, that follow'd him
In his desperate action?

_Ful._ More than you think, sir.
All ill-affected spirits in Palermo,
Or to your government or person, with
The turbulent swordmen, such whose poverty forced them
To wish a change, are gone along with him;
Creatures devoted to his undertakings,
In right or wrong: and, to express their zeal
And readiness to serve him, ere they went,
Profanely took the sacrament on their knees,
To live and die with him.

_Rob._ O most impious!
Their loyalty to us forgot?

_Ful._ I fear so.

_Ast._ Unthankful as they are!

_Ful._ Yet this deserves not
One troubled thought in you, sir; with your pardon,
I hold that their remove from hence makes more
For your security than danger.

_Rob._ True;
And, as I'll fashion it, they shall feel it too.
Astutio, you shall presently be despatch'd
With letters, writ and sign'd with our own hand,
To the duchess of Sienna, in excuse
Of our part in these forces sent against her.
You must, beside, from us take some instructions,
To be imparted, as you judge them useful,
To the general Gonzaga. Instantly
Prepare you for your journey.

_Ast._ With the wings
Of loyalty and duty. [_Exit._

_Ful._ I am bold
To put your majesty in mind----

_Rob._ Of my promise,
And aids, to further you in your amorous project
To the fair and rich Camiola? there's my ring;
Whatever you shall say that I entreat,
Or can command by power, I will make good.

_Ful._ Ever your majesty's creature.

_Rob._ Venus prove
Propitious to you! [_Exit._

_Ful._ All sorts to my wishes:
Bertoldo was my hindrance; he removed,
I now will court her in the conqueror's style;
"Come, see, and overcome."--Boy!

_Enter Page._

_Page._ Sir; your pleasure?

_Ful._ Haste to Camiola; bid her prepare
An entertainment suitable to a fortune
She could not hope for. Tell her, I vouchsafe
To honour her with a visit.

_Page._ 'Tis a favour
Will make her proud.

_Ful._ I know it.

_Page._ I am gone, sir. [_Exit._

_Ful._ Entreaties fit not me; a man in grace
May challenge awe and privilege, by his place. [_Exit._

SCENE II.

_The same. A Room in_ CAMIOLA'_s House_.

_Enter_ ADORNI, SYLLI, _and_ CLARINDA.

_Ador._ So melancholy, say you!

_Clar._ Never given
To such retirement.

_Ador._ Can you guess the cause?

_Clar._ If it hath not its birth and being from
The brave Bertoldo's absence, I confess
'Tis past my apprehension.

_Syl._ You are wide,
The whole field wide[147]. I, in my understanding,
Pity your ignorance.

_Ador._ Resolve us.

_Syl._ Know,
Here walks the cause. She dares not look upon me;
My beauties are so terrible and enchanting,
She cannot endure my sight.

_Ador._ There I believe you.

_Syl._ But the time will come, be comforted, when I will
Put off this vizor of unkindness to her,
And show an amorous and yielding face:
And, until then, though Hercules himself
Desire to see her, he had better eat
His club, than pass her threshold; for I will be
Her Cerberus, to guard her.

_Ador._ A good dog!

_Clar._ Worth twenty porters.

_Enter Page._

_Page._ Keep you open house here?
No groom to attend a gentleman! O, I spy one.

_Syl._ He means not me, I am sure.

_Page._ You, sirrah sheep's-head,
With a face cut on a cat-stick[148], do you hear?
You, yeoman fewterer[149], conduct me to
The lady of the mansion, or my poniard
Shall disembogue thy soul.

_Syl._ O terrible! _disembogue!_
I talk'd of Hercules, and here is one
Bound up in _decimo sexto_.

_Page._ Answer, wretch.

_Syl._ Pray you, little gentleman, be not so furious:
The lady keeps her chamber.

_Page._ And we present,
Sent on an embassy to her! but here is
Her gentlewoman. Sirrah! hold my cloak,
While I take a leap at her lips: do it, and neatly;
Or, having first tripp'd up thy heels, I'll make
Thy back my footstool. [_Kisses_ CLARINDA.

_Syl._ Tamberlane in little!
Am I turn'd Turk[150]! What an office am I put to!

_Clar._ My lady, gentle youth, is indisposed.

_Page._ Though she were dead and buried, only tell her,
The great man in the court, the brave Fulgentio,
Descends to visit her, and it will raise her
Out of the grave for joy.

_Enter_ FULGENTIO.

_Syl._ Here comes another!
The devil, I fear, in his holiday clothes.

_Page._ So soon!
My part is at an end then. Cover my shoulders;
When I grow great, thou shalt serve me.

_Ful._ Are you, sirrah,
An implement of the house? [_To_ SYLLI.

_Syl._ Sure he will make
A jointstool of me!

_Ful._ Or, if you belong [_To_ ADOR.
To the lady of the place, command her hither.

_Ador._ I do not wear her livery, yet acknowledge
A duty to her; and as little bound
To serve your peremptory will, as she is
To obey your summons. 'Twill become you, sir,
To wait her leisure; then, her pleasure known,
You may present your duty.

_Ful._ Duty! Slave,
I'll teach you manners.

_Ador._ I'm past learning; make not
A tumult in the house.

_Ful._ Shall I be braved thus? [_They draw._

_Clar._ Help! murder!

_Enter_ CAMIOLA.

_Cam._ What insolence is this? Adorni, hold,
Hold, I command you.

_Ful._ Saucy groom!

_Cam._ Not so, sir;
However, in his life, he had dependence
Upon my father, he's a gentleman,
As well born as yourself. Put on your hat.

_Ful._ In my presence, without leave!

_Syl._ He has mine, madam.

_Cam._ And I must tell you, sir, and in plain language,
Howe'er your glittering outside promise gentry,
The rudeness of your carriage and behaviour
Speaks you a coarser thing.

_Syl._ She means a clown, sir;
I am her interpreter, for want of a better.

_Cam._ I am a queen in mine own house; nor must you
Expect an empire here.

_Syl._ Sure I must love her
Before the day, the pretty soul's so valiant.

_Cam._ What are you? and what would you with me?

_Ful._ Proud one,
When you know what I am, and what I came for,
And may, on your submission, proceed to,
You, in your reason, must repent the coarseness
Of my entertainment.

_Cam._ Why, fine man? what are you?

_Ful._ A kinsman of the king's.

_Cam._ I cry you mercy,
For his sake, not your own. But, grant you are so,
'Tis not impossible but a king may have
A fool to his kinsman,--no way meaning you, sir.

_Ful._ You have heard of Fulgentio?

_Cam._ Long since, sir;
A suit-broker in court. He has the worst
Report among good men I ever heard of,
For bribery and extortion: in their prayers,
Widows and orphans curse him for a canker
And caterpillar in the state. I hope,
Sir, you are not the man.

_Ful._ I reply not
As you deserve, being assured you know me;
Pretending ignorance of my person, only
To give me a taste of your wit: 'tis well, and courtly;
I like a sharp wit well.

_Syl._ I cannot endure it;
Nor any of the Syllis.

_Ful._ More; I know, too,
This harsh induction must serve as a foil
To the well-tuned observance and respect
You will hereafter pay me, being made
Familiar with my credit with the king,
And that (contain your joy) I deign to love you.

_Cam._ Love me! I am not rapt with it.

_Ful._ Hear 't again;
I love you honestly: now you admire me.

_Cam._ I do, indeed; it being a word so seldom
Heard from a courtier's mouth. But, pray you, deal plainly,
Since you find me simple; what might be the motives
Inducing you to leave the freedom of
A bachelor's life, on your soft neck to wear
The stubborn yoke of marriage; and, of all
The beauties in Palermo, to choose me,
Poor me? that is the main point you must treat of.

_Ful._ Why, I will tell you. Of a little thing
You are a pretty peat[151], indifferent fair too;
And, like a new-rigg'd ship, both tight and yare:
Besides, the quickness of your eye assures
An active spirit.

_Cam._ You are pleasant, sir;
Yet I presume that there was one thing in me,
Unmention'd yet, that took you more than all
Those parts you have remember'd.

_Ful._ What?

_Cam._ My wealth, sir.

_Ful._ You are in the right; without that, beauty is
A flower worn in the morning, at night trod on:
But beauty, youth, and fortune meeting in you,
I will vouchsafe to marry you.

_Cam._ You speak well;
And, in return, excuse me, sir, if I
Deliver reasons why, upon no terms,
I'll marry you: I fable not.

_Syl._ I am glad
To hear this: I began to have an ague.

_Ful._ Come, your wise reasons.

_Cam._ Such as they are, pray take them:
First, I am doubtful whether you are a man,
Since, for your shape, trimm'd up in a lady's dressing,
You might pass for a woman; for the fairness
Of your complexion, which you think will take me,
The colour, I must tell you, in a man,
Is weak and faint, and never will hold out,
If put to labour: give me the lovely brown,
A thick curl'd hair of the same die, a leg without
An artificial calf;--I suspect yours;
But let that pass.

_Syl._ She means me all this while,
For I have every one of those good parts;
O Sylli! fortunate Sylli!

_Cam._ You are moved, sir.

_Ful._ Fie! no; go on.

_Cam._ Then, as you are a courtier,
A graced one too, I fear you have been too forward;
And so much for your person. One word more,
And I have done.

_Ful._ I'll ease you of the trouble,
Coy and disdainful!

_Cam._ Save me, or else he'll beat me.

_Ful._ No, your own folly shall; and, since you put me
To my last charm, look upon this, and tremble.
[_Shows the king's ring._

_Cam._ At the sight of a fair ring! the king's, I take it?
I have seen him wear the like: if he hath sent it,
As a favour, to me----

_Ful._ Yes, 'tis very likely,
His dying mother's gift, prized as his crown!
By this he does command you to be mine;
By his gift you are so:--you may yet redeem all.

_Cam._ You are in a wrong account still. Though the king may
Dispose of my life and goods, my mind's mine own,
And never shall be yours. The king, heaven bless him!
Is good and gracious, and will not compel
His subjects against their wills. I believe,
Forgetting it when he wash'd his hands, you stole it,
With an intent to awe me. But you are cozen'd;
I am still myself, and will be.

_Ful._ A proud haggard[152],
And not to be reclaim'd! which of your grooms,
Your coachman, fool, or footman, is the lover
Preferr'd before me?

_Cam._ You are foul-mouth'd.

_Ful._ Much fairer
Than thy black soul; and so I will proclaim thee.

_Cam._ Were I a man, thou durst not speak this.

_Ful._ Heaven
So prosper me, as I resolve to do it
To all men, and in every place: scorn'd by
A tit of ten-pence! [_Exeunt_ FULGENTIO _and Page_.

_Syl._ Now I begin to be valiant:
Nay, I will draw my sword. O for a brother[153]!
Do a friend's part; pray you, carry him the length of 't.
I give him three years and a day to match my Toledo,
And then we'll fight like dragons.

_Ador._ Pray, have patience.

_Cam._ I may live to have vengeance: my Bertoldo
Would not have heard this.

_Ador._ Madam,----

_Cam._ Pray you, spare
Your language. Prithee fool[154], and make me merry. [_To_ SYLLI.

_Syl._ That is my office ever.

_Ador._ I must do,
Not talk; this glorious gallant shall hear from me.
[_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[147] _The whole field wide._] This expression, however signior Sylli
picked it up, is a Latinism: _Erras, tota via aberras._--GIFFORD.

[148] _A cat-stick._] This, I believe, is what is now called a
_buck-stick_, used by children in the game of tip-cat, or
kit-cat.--GIFFORD.

[149] _Fewterer_,] i. e. _a dog-keeper_, or one who lets the dogs
loose in the chase. The word is a corruption of the French
_vautrier_, or _vaultier_.

[150] _Tamberlane in little!
Am I turned Turk!_] _Tamberlane_ was a proverbial term for a
_bully_. _To turn Turk_, in our old dramatists, is generally used
for a change of situation, occupation, mode of thought or action.
The allusion, perhaps, is to the story of Tamberlane, who is said
to have mounted his horse from the back of Bajazet, the Turkish
emperor.--GIFFORD.

[151] _Peat_,] i. e. _a delicate person_. The modern word pet is
supposed to be the same, probably from the French _petit_.

[152] _Haggard_,] i. e. _a wild hawk_.

[153] _O for a brother_,] i. e. _a brother in arms_, to do what he
immediately requests Adorni to do for him: the expression was
common at the time, and well understood by Massinger's
audience.--GIFFORD.

[154] _Fool_,] i. e. _play the fool_.

SCENE III.

_The Siennese. A Camp before the Walls of Sienna._

_Chambers shot off: a Flourish as to an Assault: after which, enter_ GONZAGA, PIERIO, RODERIGO, JACOMO, _and Soldiers_.

_Gonz._ Is the breach made assaultable?

_Pier._ Yes, and the moat
Fill'd up; the cannoneer hath done his parts;
We may enter six abreast.

_Rod._ There's not a man
Dares show himself upon the wall.

_Jac._ Defeat not
The soldiers' hoped-for spoil.

_Pier._ If you, sir,
Delay the assault, and the city be given up
To your discretion, you in honour cannot
Use the extremity of war,--but, in
Compassion to them, you to us prove cruel.

_Jac._ And an enemy to yourself.

_Rod._ A hindrance to
The brave revenge you have vow'd.

_Gonz._ Temper your heat,
And lose not, by too sudden rashness, that
Which, be but patient, will be offer'd to you.
Security ushers ruin; proud contempt
Of an enemy three parts vanquish'd, with desire
And greediness of spoil, have often wrested
A certain victory from the conqueror's gripe.
Discretion is the tutor of the war.
Valour the pupil; and, when we command
With lenity, and our direction's follow'd
With cheerfulness, a prosperous end must crown
Our works well undertaken.

_Rod._ Ours are finish'd----

_Pier._ If we make use of fortune.

_Gonz._ Her false smiles
Deprive you of your judgments. The condition
Of our affairs exacts a double care,
And, like bifronted Janus, we must look
Backward, as forward: though a flattering calm
Bids us urge on, a sudden tempest raised,
Not feared, much less expected, in our rear,
May foully fall upon us, and distract us
To our confusion.--

_Enter a Scout, hastily._

Our scout! what brings
Thy ghastly looks, and sudden speed?

_Scout._ The assurance
Of a new enemy.

_Gonz._ This I foresaw and fear'd.
What are they, know'st thou?

_Scout._ They are, by their colours,
Sicilians, bravely mounted, and the brightness
Of their rich armours doubly gilded with
Reflection of the sun.

_Gonz._ From Sicily?----
The king in league! no war proclaim'd! 'tis foul:
But this must be prevented, not disputed.
Ha! how is this? your estridge[155] plumes, that but
Even now, like quills of porcupines, seem'd to threaten
The stars, drop at the rumour of a shower,
And, like to captive colours, sweep the earth!
Bear up; but in great dangers, greater minds
Are never proud. Shall a few loose troops, untrain'd
But in a customary ostentation,
Presented as a sacrifice to your valours,
Cause a dejection in you?

_Pier._ No dejection.

_Rod._ However startled, where you lead we'll follow.

_Gonz._ 'Tis bravely said. We will not stay their charge,
But meet them man to man, and horse to horse.
Pierio, in our absence hold our place;
And with our foot men and those sickly troops
Prevent a sally: I in mine own person,
With part of the cavallery, will bid
These hunters welcome to a bloody breakfast:--
But I lose time.

_Pier._ I'll to my charge. [_Exit._

_Gonz._ And we
To ours: I'll bring you on.

_Jac._ If we come off,
It's not amiss; if not, my state is settled.
[_Exeunt. Alarum within._

FOOTNOTE:

[155] _Estridge_,] i. e. _ostrich_.

SCENE IV.

_The same. The Citadel of Sienna._

_Enter_ FERDINAND, DRUSO, _and_ LIVIO, _on the Walls_.

_Fer._ No aids from Sicily! Hath hope forsook us;
And that vain comfort to affliction, pity,
By our vow'd friend denied us? we can nor live
Nor die with honour: like beasts in a toil,
We wait the leisure of the bloody hunter,
Who is not so far reconciled unto us,
As in one death to give a period
To our calamities; but in delaying
The fate we cannot fly from, starved with wants,
We die this night, to live again to-morrow,
And suffer greater torments.

_Dru._ There is not
Three days' provision for every soldier,
At an ounce of bread a day, left in the city.

_Liv._ To die the beggar's death, with hunger made
Anatomies while we live, cannot but crack
Our heart-strings with vexation.

_Fer._ Would they would break,
Break altogether! How willingly, like Cato,
Could I tear out my bowels, rather than
Look on the conqueror's insulting face;
But that religion, and the horrid dream
To be suffer'd in the other world, denies it!

_Enter a Soldier._

What news with thee?

_Sold._ From the turret of the fort,
By the rising clouds of dust, through which, like lightning,
The splendour of bright arms sometimes brake through,
I did descry some forces making towards us;
And, from the camp, as emulous of their glory,
The general, (for I know him by his horse,)
And bravely seconded, encounter'd them.
Their greetings were too rough for friends; their swords,
And not their tongues, exchanging courtesies.
By this the main battalias are join'd;
And, if you please to be spectators of
The horrid issue, I will bring you where,
As in a theatre, you may see their fates
In purple gore presented.

_Fer._ Heaven, if yet thou art
Appeased for my wrong done to Aurelia,
Take pity of my miseries! Lead the way, friend.
[_Exeunt._

SCENE V.

_The same. A Plain near the Camp._

_A long Charge; after which, a Flourish for Victory: then enter_ GONZAGA, JACOMO, _and_ RODERIGO, _wounded_; BERTOLDO, GASPARO, _and_ ANTONIO, _Prisoners. Officers and Soldiers_.

_Gonz._ We have them yet, though they cost us dear. This was
Charged home, and bravely follow'd. Be to yourselves
[_To_ JACOMO _and_ RODERIGO.
True mirrors to each other's worth; and, looking
With noble emulation on his wounds,
[Points to BERT.
The glorious livery of triumphant war,
Imagine these with equal grace appear
Upon yourselves. The bloody sweat you have suffer'd
In this laborious, nay, toilsome harvest,
Yields a rich crop of conquest; and the spoil,
Most precious balsam to a soldier's hurts,
Will ease and cure them. Let me look upon
[GASPARO _and_ ANTONIO _are brought forward_.
The prisoners' faces. Oh, how much transform'd
From what they were! O Mars! were these toys fashion'd
To undergo the burthen of thy service?
The weight of their defensive armour bruised
Their weak effeminate limbs, and would have forced them,
In a hot day, without a blow to yield.

_Ant._ This insultation shows not manly in you.

_Gonz._ To men I had forborne it; you are women,
Or, at the best, loose carpet-knights[156]. What fury
Seduced you to exchange your ease in court
For labour in the field? Perhaps you thought
To charge, through dust and blood, an armed foe,
Was but like graceful running at the ring
For a wanton mistress' glove; and the encounter,
A soft impression on her lips:--but you
Are gaudy butterflies, and I wrong myself
In parling with you.

_Gasp._ _Voe victis!_ now we prove it.

_Rod._ But here's one fashion'd in another mould,
And made of tougher metal.

_Gonz._ True; I owe him
For this wound bravely given.

_Bert._ O that mountains
Were heap'd upon me, that I might expire,
A wretch no more remember'd! [_Aside._

_Gonz._ Look up, sir;
To be o'ercome deserves no shame. If you
Had fallen ingloriously, or could accuse
Your want of courage in resistance, 'twere
To be lamented: but, since you perform'd
As much as could be hoped for from a man,
(Fortune his enemy,) you wrong yourself
In this dejection. I am honour'd in
My victory over you; but to have these
My prisoners, is, in my true judgment, rather
Captivity than a triumph: you shall find
Fair quarter from me, and your many wounds,
Which I hope are not mortal, with such care
Look'd to and cured, as if your nearest friend
Attended on you.

_Bert._ When you know me better,
You will make void this promise: can you call me
Into your memory?

_Gonz._ The brave Bertoldo!
A brother of our order! By St. John,
Our holy patron, I am more amazed,
Nay, thunderstruck with thy apostacy,
And precipice from the most solemn vows
Made unto Heaven when this, the glorious badge
Of our Redeemer, was conferred upon thee
By the great master, than if I had seen
A reprobate Jew, an atheist, Turk, or Tartar,
Baptized in our religion!

_Bert._ This I look'd for;
And am resolved to suffer.

_Gonz._ Fellow-soldiers,
Behold this man, and, taught by his example,
Know that 'tis safer far to play with lightning,
Than trifle in things sacred. In my rage [_Weeps._
I shed these at the funeral of his virtue,
Faith, and religion; why, I will tell you:--
He was a gentleman so train'd up and fashion'd
For noble uses, and his youth did promise
Such certainties, more than hopes, of great achievements,
As--if the Christian world had stood opposed
Against the Othoman race, to try the fortune
Of one encounter--this Bertoldo had been,
For his knowledge to direct, and matchless courage
To execute, without a rival, by
The votes of good men, chosen general;
As the prime soldier, and most deserving
Of all that wear the cross: which now, in justice,
I thus tear from him.

_Bert._ Let me die with it
Upon my breast.

_Gonz._ No; by this thou wert sworn,
On all occasions, as a knight, to guard
Weak ladies from oppression, and never
To draw thy sword against them; whereas thou,
In hope of gain or glory, when a princess,
And such a princess as Aurelia is,
Was dispossess'd by violence of what was
Her true inheritance, against thine oath
Hast, to thy uttermost, labour'd to uphold
Her falling enemy. But thou shalt pay
A heavy forfeiture, and learn too late,
Valour employ'd in an ill quarrel turns
To cowardice, and Virtue then puts on
Foul Vice's visor. This is that which cancels
All friendship's bands between us.--Bear them off;
I will hear no reply: and let the ransom
Of these, for they are yours, be highly rated.
In this I do but right, and let it be
Styled justice, and not wilful cruelty. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTE:

[156] _Carpet-knights._] A term of contempt very frequently used by
our old writers. _Carpet-knights_ were such as were made on
occasion of public festivities, marriages, births, &c., in
contradistinction to those that were created on the field of
battle, after a victory. They were naturally little regarded by
the latter; and, indeed, their title had long been given in scorn,
to effeminate courtiers, favourites, &c.--GIFFORD.