Chapter VIII: Act II: Scene I

_Venice.--Hall in_ ROBERTO'S _house_.

_Enter_ ROBERTO, Lord Cardinal, ISABELLA, Lady LENTULUS,
ABIGAIL, _and_ THAIS. _Lights._

_Rob._ My grave Lord Cardinal, we congratulate,
And zealously do entertain your love,
That from your high and divine contemplation
You have vouchsafed to consummate a day
Due to our nuptials. O may this knot you knit--
This individual Gordian grasp of hands,
In sight of God so fairly intermixt--
Never be sever'd, as Heaven smiles at it,
By all the darts shot by infernal Jove!
Angels of grace, Amen, Amen, say to 't! 10
Fair lady-widow, and my worthy mistress,
Do you keep silence for a wager?

_Tha._ Do you ask a woman that question, my lord,
when she enforcedly pursues what she's forbidden? I
think, if I had been tied to silence, I should have been
worthy the cucking-stool ere this time.

_Rob._ You shall not be my orator, lady, that pleads
thus for your self.

_Enter a_ Servant.[182]

_Ser._ My lord, the masquers are at hand.

_Rob._ Give them kind entertainment.--Some worthy
friends of mine, my lord, unknown to me, too lavish of
their loves, bring their own welcome in a solemn
masque. 23

_Abi._ I am glad there's noblemen in the masque, with
our husbands to overrule them; they had shamed us
all[183] else.

_Tha._ Why? for why, I pray?

_Abi._ Why?--marry, they had come in with some city
show else; hired a few tinsel coats, at the vizard-makers,
which would ha' made them look for all the world like
bakers in their linen bases[184] and mealy vizards, new come
from boulting. I saw a show once at the marriage of
Magnificero's daughter, presented by Time, which Time
was an old bald thing, a servant: 'twas the best man; he
was a dyer, and came in likeness of the rainbow, in all
manner of colours, to show his art; but the rainbow smelt
of urine so we were all afraid the property was changed,
and look'd for a shower. Then came in after him,
one that, it seem'd, feared no colours[185]--a grocer that
had trimm'd up himself handsomely: he was justice, and
show'd reasons[186] why. And I think this grocer--I mean
this justice--had borrowed a weather-beaten balance
from some justice of a conduit, both which scales were
replenish'd with the choice of his ware. And the more
liberally to show his nature, he gave every woman in
the room her handful. 46

_Tha._ O great act of justice! Well, and my husband
come cleanly off with this, he shall ne'er betray his weakness
more, but confess himself a citizen hereafter, and
acknowledge their wit, for alas! they come short.

_Enter in the Masque, the_ Count of MASSINO,[187] MENDOZA,
CLARIDIANA, _and_ Torch-bearers. _They deliver their shields
to their several mistresses--that is to say,_ MENDOZA _to the_
Lady LENTULUS; CLARIDIANA _to_ THAIS;[188] _to_ ISABELLA,
MASSINO; _to_ ABIGAIL, ROGERO.

_Isa._ Good my lord, be my expositor.

[_To the_ Cardinal.

_Car._ The sun setting, a man pointing at it:
The motto, _Senso tamen ipse calorem_.
Fair bride, some servant of yours, that here imitates
To have felt the heat of love bred in your brightness,
But setting thus from him by marriage;
He only here acknowledgeth your power,
And must[189] expect beams of a morrow-sun.

_Lady Len._ Lord Bridegroom, will you interpret me?

_Rob._ A sable shield: the word,[190] _Vidua spes_. 60
What--the forlorn hope, in black, despairing?
Lady Lentulus, is this the badge of all your suitors?

_Lady Len._ Ay, by my troth, my lord, if they come to me.

_Rob._ I could give it another interpretation. Methinks
this lover has learn'd of women to deal by contraries; if
so, then here he says, the widow is his only hope.

_Lady Len._ No; good my lord, let the first stand.

_Rob._ Inquire of him, and he'll resolve the doubt.

_Abi._ What's here?--a ship sailing nigh her haven?
With good ware belike: 'tis well ballast. 70

_Tha._ O this your device smells of the merchant.
What's your ship's name, I pray? _The Forlorn Hope_?

_Abi._ No; _The Merchant Royal_.

_Tha._ And why not _Adventurer_?

_Abi._ You see no likelihood of that: would it not
fain be in the haven? The word, _Ut tangerem portum._
Marry, for aught I know; God grant it. What's there?

_Tha._ Mine's an azure shield: marry, what else? I
should tell thee more than I understand; but the word
is, _Aut pretio, aut precibus_. 80

_Abi._ Ay, ay, some common-council device.

[_They take the women, and dance
the first change._

_Men._ Fair widow, how like you this change?

_Lady Len._ I chang'd too lately to like any.

_Men._ O your husband! you wear his memory like a death's-head.
For Heaven's love, think of me as of the man
Whose dancing days you see are not yet done.

_Lady Len._ Yet you sink a-pace,[191] sir.

_Men._ The fault's in my upholsterer, lady.

_Rog._ Thou shalt as soon find Truth telling a lie, 90
Virtue a bawd, Honesty a courtier,
As me turn'd recreant to thy least design.
Love makes me speak, and he makes love divine.

_Abi._[192] Would Love could make you so! but 'tis his guise
To let us surfeit ere he ope our eyes.

_Tha._[193] You grasp my hand too hard, i'faith, fair sir.

[CLARIDIANA _holds her by the hand_.

_Clar._ Not as you grasp my heart, unwilling wanton.
Were but my breast bare and anatomised,
Thou shouldst behold there how thou torturest it;
And as Apelles limn'd the Queen of Love, 100
In her right hand grasping a heart in flames,
So may I thee, fairer, but crueller.

_Tha._[193] Well, sir, your vizor gives you colour for what
you say.

_Clar._ Grace me to wear this favour; 'tis a gem
That vails to your eyes, though not to the eagle's,
And in exchange give me one word of comfort.

_Tha._[193] Ay, marry: I like this wooer well:
He'll win's pleasure out o' the stones.

[_The second change,_ ISABELLA _falls in
love with_ MASSINO;[194] _when_[195]
_they change she speaks_.

_Isa._ Change is no robbery; yet in this change 110
Thou robb'st me of my heart. Sure Cupid's here,
Disguisèd like a pretty torch-bearer,
And makes his brand a torch, that with more sleight
He may entrap weak women. Here the sparks
Fly, as in Ætna from his father's anvil.
O powerful boy!
My heart's on fire, and unto mine eyes
The raging flames ascend like to two beacons,
Summoning my strongest powers; but all too late;
The conqueror already opes the gate. 120
I will not ask his name.

_Abi._ You dare put it into my hands.

_Rog._[196] Zounds,[197] do you think I will not?

_Abi._ Then thus: to-morrow (you'll be secret, servant)--

_Rog._ All that I do, I'll do in secret.

_Abi._ My husband goes to Maurano[198] to renew the farm
he has.

_Rog._ Well, what time goes the jakes-farmer?

_Abi._ He shall not be long out, but you shall put in,
I warrant you. Have a care that you stand just i' the
nick about six o'clock in the evening; my maid shall
conduct you up. To save mine honour, you must come
up darkling, and to avoid suspicion. 133

_Rog._ Zounds! hoodwink'd! and if you'll open all,
sweet lady----

_Abi._ But if you fail to do 't----

_Rog._ The sun shall fail the day first.

_Abi._ Tie this ring fast, you may be sure to know.
You'll brag of this, now you have brought me to the bay.

_Rog._ Pox o' this masque! would 'twere done! I might
To my apothecary's for some stirring meats! 141

_Tha._ Methinks, sir, you should blush e'en through your vizor.
I have scarce patience to dance out the rest.

_Clar._[199] The worse my fate, that ploughs a marble quarry:
Pygmalion, yet thy image was more kind,
Although thy love[200] not half so true as mine.
Dance they that list, I sail against the wind.

_Tha._ Nay, sir, betray not your infirmities,
You'll make my husband jealous by and by.
We will think of you, and that presently. 150

_Mass._[201] The spheres ne'er danced unto a better tune.
Sound music there!

[_The third change ended, ladies fall off._

_Isa._ 'Twas music that he spake.

_Rob._ Gallants, I thank you, and begin a health
To your mistresses!

_Three or four._ Fair thanks, Sir Bridegroom.

_Isa._ [_Aside._] He speaks not to this pledge; has he no mistress?
Would I might choose one for him! but 't may be
He doth adore a brighter star than we.

_Rob._ Sit, ladies, sit; you have had standing long.

[MASSINO[202] _dances a Levalto or a Galliard,
and in the midst of it falleth into the
Bride's lap, but straight leaps up and danceth
it out._

_Men._ Bless the man! sprightly and nobly done!

_Tha._ What, is your ladyship hurt?

_Isa._ O no, an easy fall. 160
[_Aside._] Was I not deep enough, thou god of lust,
But I must further wade! I am his now,
As sure as Juno's Jove's! Hymen, take flight,
And see not me, 'tis not my wedding night.

[_Exit_ ISABELLA.

_Car._ The bride's departed, discontent it[203] seems.

_Rob._ We'll after her. Gallants, unmasque I pray,
And taste a homely banquet, we entreat.

[_Exeunt_ ROBERTO, Cardinal, _and lights_.

_Clar._ Candied[204] eringoes, I beseech thee.

_Men._ Come, widow, I'll be bold to put you in.
My lord, will you have a sociate? 170

[_Exeunt_ THAIS, Lady LENTULUS, ABIGAIL,
_and_ MENDOZA.

_Mass._[205] Good gentlemen, if I have any interest in you,
Let me depart unknown; 'tis a disgrace
Of an eternal memory.

_Rog._[206] What, the fall, my lord?--as common a thing as
can be. The stiffest man in Italy may fall between a
woman's legs.

_Clar._ Would I had changed places with you, my lord--would
it had been my hap!

_Mass._ What cuckold laid his horns in my way?
Signior Claridiana, you were by the lady when I fell:
Do you think I hurt her? 181

_Clar._ You could not hurt her, my lord, between the legs.

_Mass._ What was 't I fell withal?

_Rog._ A cross-point, my lord.

_Mass._ Cross-point, indeed.
Well, if you love me, let me hence unknown;
The silence yours, the disgrace mine own.

[_Exeunt_ CLARIDIANA _and_ ROGERO.[207]

_Enter_ ISABELLA _with a gilt goblet, and meets_ MASSINO.[208]

_Isa._ Sir, if wine were nectar, I'd[209] begin a health
To her that were most gracious in your eye: 190
Yet deign, as simply 'tis the gift of Bacchus,
To give her pledge that drinks. This god of wine
Cannot inflame me more to appetite,
Though he be co-supreme[210] with mighty Love,
Than thy fair shape.

_Mass._ Zounds! she comes to deride me.

_Isa._ That kiss shall serve
To be a pledge, although my lips should starve.--
[_Aside._] No trick to get that vizor from his face?

_Mass._ I will steal hence, and so conceal disgrace.

_Isa._ Sir, have you left naught behind? 200

_Mass._ Yes, Lady,[211] but the fates will not permit
(As gems once lost are seldom or never found)
I should convey it with me. Sweet, good-night!
[_Aside._] She bends to me: there's my fall again.

[_Exit._

_Isa._ He's gone! That lightning that a while doth strike
Our eyes with amaz'd brightness, and on a sudden
Leaves us in prison'd darkness! Lust, thou art high;
My similes[212] may well come from the sky.
Anna, Anna!

_Enter_ ANNA.

_Anna._ Madam, did you call? 209

_Isa._ Follow yond stranger; prithee learn his name.
We may hereafter thank him. [_Exit_ ANNA.] How I dote!
Is he not a god
That can command what other men would win
With the hard'st advantage? I must have him,
Or, shadow-like, follow his fleeting steps.
Were I as Daphne, and he followed chase,
(Though I rejected young Apollo's love,
And like a dream beguile his wand'ring steps;)
Should he pursue me through the neighbouring grove,
Each cowslip-stalk should trip a willing fall, 220
Till he were mine, who till then am his thrall.
Nor will I blush, since worthy is my chance:[213]
'Tis said that Venus with a satyr slept;
And how much short came she of my fair aim!
Then, Queen of Love, a precedent I'll be,
To teach fair women learn to love of me.
Speak, music: what's his name?

_Enter_ ANNA.

_Anna._ Madam, it was the worthy Count Massino.

_Isa._ Blest be thy tongue! The worthy count indeed,
The worthiest of the worthies. Trusty Anna, 230
Hast thou pack'd up those monies, plate, and jewels
I gave direction for?

_Anna._ Yes, madam; I have truss'd up them, that many
a proper man has been truss'd up for.

_Isa._ I thank thee. Take the wings of night,
Beloved secretary, and post with them to Pavia;[214]
There furnish up some stately palace
Worthy to entertain the king of love:
Prepare it for my coming and my love's.
Ere Phoebus' steeds once more unharness'd be, 240
Or ere he sport with his belovèd Thetis,
The silver-footed goddess of the sea,
We will set forward. Fly like the northern wind,
Or swifter, Anna,--fleet like to my mind.

_Anna._ I am just of your mind, madam. I am gone.

[_Exit_ ANNA.

_Isa._ So to the house of death the mourner goes,
That is bereft of what his soul desired,
As I to bed--I to my nuptial bed,
The heaven on earth: so to thought-slaughters went
The pale Andromeda, bedew'd with tears. 250
When every minute she expected gripes
Of a fell monster, and in vain bewail'd
The act of her creation. Sullen Night,
That look'st with sunk eyes on my nuptial bed,
With ne'er a star that smiles upon the end,
Mend thy slack pace, and lend the malcontent,
The hoping lover, and the wishing bride,
Beams that too long thou shadowest: or, if not,
In spite of thy fix'd front, when my loath'd mate
Shall struggle in due pleasure for his right, 260
I'll think 't my love, and die in that delight!

[_Exit._

[182] Not marked in old eds.

[183] Omitted in ed. 1631.

[184] Seemingly, here, a sort of apron.--The word is used in a
variety of senses: see Nares' _Glossary_.

[185] Properly a military expression, meaning--fear no enemy.

[186] Used with a quibble: (1) reason, (2) raisin.

[187] Old eds. "Count of Arsena;" and so below "_to_ Isabella,
Gvido Count of Arsena."--It was Guido who prepared the masque
(see p. 149), and he ought certainly to be one of the masquers;
but if we suppose that he is the masquer with whom Isabella falls
in love, we are involved at once in wild confusion. Throughout
this scene the prefixes are constantly wrong. The masquer who is
now called Guido is frequently transformed into Rogero: see p.
157, "The second change, ISABELLA fals in loue with Rogero" and
what follows. Later in the scene Isabella sends her waiting-woman
Anna to discover the unknown masquer's name; and Anna returns
with the announcement, "Madam, it was the worthy Count Massino."
In the third scene she sends her page to summon the stranger to
her presence. When the page returns with him, the stage-direction
is "_Enter_ Count ARSENA and a Page." She flies with her
paramour, and the first man to proffer his advice to Roberto is
this same Guido, Count of Arsena, who--according to the old
copies--is flying with the Countess to Pavia! In iii. 11 the
stage-direction is "_Enter_ Count GUIDO, ISABELLA," &c., and
presently Isabella addresses her paramour as Rogero. Isabella
pretends that she is sick and Guido goes to fetch a doctor: when
he returns the stage direction is "_Enter_ ROGERO, ANNA, _and_
Doctor." So the changes are rung through several scenes. In iv. 3
Isabella speaks of--
"False Count Guido, treacherous Gniaca,
Counties of Gazia and of rich Massino."

Gniaca is the Count of Gazia [Gaeta?], and it follows that Guido
would be the name of the Count of Massino [Messina?]. But Guido
is the Count of Arsena; and it will be intolerable to have
another Guido. Throughout I shall give the name Massino to the
paramour who elopes with the Countess, and shall prefix "_Mass._"
to his speeches. Count Arsena will have to be excluded from the
masque. It is no fault of mine; the author (or authors) and the
old printer must bear the blame.

[188] Old eds. "CLARIDIANA, _to_ ABIGAL; _to_ ISABELLA, GVIDO
_Count of Arsena_; _to_ THAIS, ROGERO."

[189] Ed. 1631 "I must."

[190] _i.e._, motto.

[191] Shakespeare has a more elaborate quibble:--"And then comes
repentance, and with his bad legs falls into the _cinque-pace_
faster and faster till he _sink_ into his _grave_."--_Much Ado_,
ii. 1. Cinque-pace was the name of a lively dance.

[192] Old eds. "_Thais_."

[193] Old eds. "_Abig._"

[194] Old eds. "_Rogero_."

[195] Old eds. "_when the changers speak_."

[196] To this speech and Rogero's five following speeches the
prefix "_Men._" is given in the old copies.

[197] Omitted in ed. 1631.

[198] Ed. 1631 "Mucaue."

[199] Old eds. "_Robert_" and "_Rob_."

[200] Ed. 1631 "love's."

[201] Old eds. "_Gui_."

[202] Old eds. "_Rogero_."

[203] Omitted in ed. 1631.

[204] Old eds. "Candidi Ernigos" and "Erignos."

[205] To Massino's speeches old eds. give the prefix
"_Rog._"

[206] Old eds. give the prefix "_Men._" here and at l. 184.

[207] Old eds. "_Mend._"

[208] Old eds. "ROGERO."

[209] Old eds. "Ile."

[210] So ed. 1613.--Ed. 1631 "to supreme."

[211] Omitted in ed. 1631.

[212] Old eds. "smiles."

[213] Quy. "choice"?

[214] Old eds. "Sweuia."

SCENE II.

_Venice.--A street._

_Enter at several doors_ ABIGAIL _and_ THAIS.

_Abi._ Thais, you're an early riser. I have that to show
will make your hair stand an-end.[215]

_Tha._ Well, lady, and I have that to show you will
bring your courage down. What would you say and I
would name a party saw your husband court, kiss, nay,
almost go through for the hole?

_Abi._ How, how? what would I say? nay, by this
light! what would I not do? If ever Amazon fought
better, or more at the face than I'll do, let me never be
thought a new married wife. Come, unmask her; 'tis
some admirable creature, whose beauty you need not
paint; I warrant you, 'tis done to your hand. 12

_Tha._ Would any woman but I be abused to her face?
Prithee read the contents. Know'st thou the character?

_Abi._ 'Tis my husband's hand, and a love-letter; but
for the contents I find none in it. Has the lustful
monster, all back and belly, starved me thus? What defect
does he see in me? I'll be sworn, wench, I am of
as pliant and yielding a body to him, e'en which way he
will--he may turn me as he list himself. What? and dedicate
to thee! Ay, marry, here's a stile so high as a man
cannot help a dog o'er it. He was wont to write to me
in the city-phrase, _My good Abigail._ Here's _astonishment
of nature, unparallel'd excellency, and most unequal rarity
of creation_!--three such words will turn any honest woman
in the world[216] whore; for a woman is never won till she
know not what to answer; and beshrew me if I understand
any of these. You are the party, I perceive, and
here's a white sheet, that your husband has promis'd me
to do penance in: you must not think to dance the
shaking of the sheets[217] alone; though there be not such
rare phrases in 't, 'tis more to the matter: a legible hand,
but for the dash or the (he) and (as):[218] short bawdy parentheses
as ever you saw, to the purpose; he has not left
out a prick, I warrant you, wherein he has promis'd to
do me any good; but the law's in mine own hand. 36

_Tha._ I ever thought by his red beard he would prove
a Judas;[219] here am I bought and sold; he makes much
of me indeed. Well, wench, we were best wisely in time
seek for prevention; I should be loath to take drink and
die on 't, as I am afraid I shall, that he will lie with thee.

_Abi._ To be short, sweetheart, I'll be true to thee,
though a liar to my husband. I have signed your husband's
bill like a woodcock, as he is held; persuaded
him (since naught but my love can assuage his violent
passions) he should enjoy, like a private friend, the
pleasures of my bed. I told him my husband was to go
to Maurano to-day, to renew a farm he has; and in the
meantime he might be tenant at will to use mine. This
false fire has so took with him, that he's ravish'd afore
he come. I have had stones on him all red. Dost
know this?

_Tha._ Ay, too well; it blushes, for his master. 53

[_Points to the ring._

_Abi._ Now my husband will be hawking about thee
anon, and thou canst meet him closely.

_Tha._ By my faith, I would be loth in the dark, and
he knew me.

_Abi._ I mean thus: the same occasion will serve him
too; they are birds of a feather, and will fly together, I
warrant thee, wench; appoint him to come; say that thy
husband's gone for Maurano, and tell me anon if thou
madest not his heart-blood spring for joy in his face. 62

_Tha._ I conceive you not all this while.

_Abi._ Then th' art a barren woman, and no marvel if
thy husband love thee not. The hour for both to come
is six--a dark time fit for purblind lovers; and with
cleanly conveyance by the nigglers our maids, they shall
be translated into our bed-chambers. Your husband into
mine, and mine into yours.

_Tha._ But you mean they shall come in at the backdoors? 71

_Abi._ Who? our husbands? nay, an' they come not in
at the fore-doors there will be no pleasure in 't. But we
two will climb over our garden-pales, and come in that
way (the chastest that are in Venice will stray for a good
turn), and thus wittily will we be stowed--you into my
house to your husband, and I into your house to my
husband; and I warrant thee before a month come to an
end, they'll crack louder of this night's lodging than the
bedsteads. 80

_Tha._ All is if our maids keep secret.

_Abi._ Mine is a maid I'll be sworn; she has kept her
secrets hitherto.

_Tha._ Troth, and I never had any sea-captain boarded
in my house.

_Abi._ Go to, then; and the better to avoid suspicion,
thus we must insist: they must come up darkling, recreate
themselves with their delight an hour or two, and after a
million kisses or so-- 89

_Tha._ But is my husband content to come darkling?

_Abi._ What, not to save mine honour? He that will
run through fire, as he has profess'd, will, by the heat of
his love, grope in the dark! I warrant him he shall
save mine honour.

_Tha._ I am afraid my voice will discover me.

_Abi._ Why, then, you're best say nothing, and take it
thus quietly when your husband comes.

_Tha._ Ay, but you know a woman cannot choose but
speak in these cases.

Abi. Bite in your nether-lip, and I warrant you; 100
Or make as if you were whiffing tobacco;
Or puich[220] like me. Gods so! I hear thy husband!

[_Exit_ ABIGAIL.

_Tha._ Farewell, wise woman.

_Enter_ ROGERO.[221]

_Rog._[222] Now 'gins my vengeance mount high in my lust:
'Tis a rare creature, she'll do 't i'faith;
And I am arm'd at all points. A rare whiblin,[223]
To be revenged, and yet gain pleasure in 't,
One height above revenge! Yet what a slave am I!
Are there not younger brothers enough, but we must
Branch one another? O but mine's revenge! 110
And who on that does dream
Must be a tyrant ever in extreme.--
O my wife Thais, get my breakfast ready;
I must into the country to my farm I have
Some two miles off, and, as I think,
Shall not come home to-night. Jaques, Jaques?
Get my vessel ready to row me down the river.
Prithee make haste, sweet girl.

[_Exit_ ROGERO.[224]

_Tha._ So, there's one fool shipp'd away. Are your cross-points
discovered? Get your breakfast ready! 120
By this light I'll tie you to hard fare; I have been too
sparing of that you prodigally offer voluntary to another:
well, you will be a tame fool hereafter,
The finest light is when we first defraud;
Husband, to-night 'tis I must lie abroad.

[_Exit._

[215] "And each particular hair to stand _an-end_".--_Hamlet_,
i. 4.

[216] Ed. 1631 "_a_ whore."

[217] "The shaking of the sheets" was the name of an old dance.
It is often used with a quibble (as in the text).

[218] I follow the reading of the old copies.

[219] In tapestry Judas was commonly represented with a red
beard.

[220] Puke, simper.

[221] Old eds. "MIZALDUS."

[222] Old eds. "_Miz._"

[223] This word is used in a variety of senses: see Nares'
_Gloss._ Here the meaning seems to be "device, trick." We
have had the word "quiblin" in this sense: see p. 60.
[Transcriber's Note: Footnote [64]]

[224] Old eds. "MIZAL."

SCENE III.

_Venice._--ROBERTO'S _house_.

_Enter_ ISABELLA, _and a_ Page _with a letter_.

_Isa._ Here, take this letter, bear it to the count.
But, boy, first tell, think'st thou I am in love?

_Page._ Madam, I cannot tell.

_Isa._ Canst thou not tell? Dost thou not see my face?
Is not the face the index of the mind?
And canst thou not distinguish love by that?

_Page._ No, madam.

_Isa._ Then take this letter and deliver it
Unto the worthy count. No, fie upon him!
Come back: tell me, why shouldst thou think 10
That same's a love-letter?

_Page._ I do not think so, madam.

_Isa._ I know thou dost; for thou dost ever use
To hold the wrong opinion. Tell me true,
Dost thou not think that letter is of love?

_Page._ If you would have me think so, madam, yes.

_Isa._ What, dost thou think thy lady is so fond?
Give me the letter; thyself shall see it.
Yet I should tear it in the breaking ope,
And make him lay a wrongful charge on thee, 20
And say thou brokest it open by the way,
And saw what heinous things I charge him with.
But 'tis all one, the letter is not of love;
Therefore deliver it unto himself,
And tell him he's deceived--I do not love him.
But if he think so, bid him come to me,
And I'll confute him straight: I'll show him reasons--
I'll show him plainly why I cannot love him.
And if he hap to read it in thy hearing,
Or chance to tell thee that the words were sweet, 30
Do not thou then disclose my lewd intent
Under those siren words, and how I mean
To use him when I have him at my will;
For then thou wilt destroy the plot[225] that's laid,
And make him fear to yield when I do wish
Only to have him yield; for when I have him,
None but myself shall know how I will use him.
Begone! why stayest thou?--yet return again.

_Page._ Ay, madam. 39

_Isa._ Why dost thou come again? I bade thee go.
If I say go, never return again.

[_Exit_ Page.

My blood, like to a troubled ocean,
Cuff'd with the winds, incertain where to rest,
Butts at the utmost shore[226] of every limb!
My husband's not the man I would have had.
O my new thoughts to this brave sprightly lord
Was fix'd to [by?] that hid fire lovers feel!
Where was my mind before--that refined judgment
That represents rare objects to our passions?
Or did my lust beguile me of my sense, 50
Making me feast upon such dangerous cates,
For present want, that needs must breed a surfeit?
How was I shipwrack'd? Yet, Isabella, think;
Thy husband is a noble gentleman,
Young, wise, and rich; think what fate follows thee,
And naught but lust doth blind thy worthy love.
I will desist. O no, it may not be.
Even as a headstrong courser bears away
His rider, vainly striving him to stay;
Or as a sudden gale thrusts into sea 60
The haven-touching bark, now near the lea,
So wavering Cupid brings me back amain,[227]
And purple Love resumes his darts again:
Here of themselves, thy shafts come as if shot,
Better than I thy quiver knows 'em not.

_Enter_ Count MASSINO[228] _and the_ Page.

_Page._ Madam, the count.

_Mass._[229] So fell the Trojan wanderer on the Greek,
And bore away his ravish'd prize to Troy.
For such a beauty, brighter than his Danae,[230]
Jove should (methinks) now come himself again. 70
Lovely Isabella, I confess me mortal--
Not worthy to serve thee in thought, I swear;
Yet shall not this same overflow of favour
Diminish my vow'd duty to your beauty.

_Isa._ Your love, my lord, I blushingly proclaim it,
Hath power to draw me through a wilderness,
Were 't armed with furies, as with furious beasts.
Boy, bid our train be ready; we'll to horse.

[_Exit_ Page.

My lord, I should say something, but I blush;
Courting is not befitting to our sex. 80

_Mass._ I'll teach you how to woo. Say you have loved me long,
And tell me that a woman's feeble tongue
Was never tuned unto a wooing-string;
Yet for my sake you will forget your sex,
And court my love with strain'd immodesty:
Then bid me make you happy with a kiss.

_Isa._ Sir, though women do not woo, yet for your sake
I am content to leave that civil custom,
And pray you kiss me.

_Mass._ Now use some unexpected ambages[231] 90
To draw me further into Vulcan's net.

_Isa._ You love not me so well as I love you.

_Mass._ Fair lady, but I do.

_Isa._ Then show your love.

_Mass._ Why, in this kiss I show 't, and in my vowed service
This wooing shall suffice: 'tis easier far
To make the current of a silver brook
Convert his flowing backward to his spring
Than turn a woman wooer. There's no cause
Can turn the settled course of Nature's laws.

_Isa._ My lord, will you pursue the plot? 100

_Mass._ The letter gives direction here for Pavy.
To horse, to horse! Thus on Eurydice,[232]
With looks regardiant [_sic_], did the Thracian gaze,
And lost his gift while he desired the sight:
But wiser I, led by more powerful charm,
I'd see the world win thee from out mine arm.

[_Exeunt._

[225] Ed. 1631 "plots."

[226] Old eds. "share."

[227] Old eds. "againe."

[228] Old eds. "ARSENA."

[229] The prefix to Massino's speeches in old eds. is "_Rog._"

[230] Old eds. "Dana."

[231] Old. eds. "vmbages." The word _ambages_ (= roundabout
statements) is not uncommon. Cf. _Spanish Tragedy_:--
"Tush, tush, my lord, let go these _ambages_,
And in plain terms acquaint me with your love."
--Hazlitt's _Dodsley_, v. 30.

[232] Old eds. "once Eridace" (and "Fridace").

SCENE IV.

_Venice.--Courtyard of Robert's house._

_Enter at several doors_ CLARIDIANA _and_ GUIDO.

_Gui._ Zounds! is the hurricano coming? Claridiana,
what's the matter?

[_A trampling of horses heard._

_Cla._ The Countess of Suevia has new taken horse.--
Fly, Phoebus, fly, the hour is six o'clock.!

_Gui._ Whither is she gone, signior?

_Cla._ Even as Jove went to meet his Semele--
To the devil, I think.

_Gui._ You know not wherefore?

_Cla._ To say sooth. I do not.--
So in immortal wise shall I arrive----

_Gui._ At the gallows. What, in a passion, signior? 10

_Cla._ Zounds! do not hold me, sir.--
Beauteous Thais, I am all thine wholly.
The staff is now advancing for the rest,
And when I tilt, Rogero,[233] 'ware thy crest!

[_Exit_ CLARIDIANA.

_Gui._ What's here?
The cap'ring god-head[234] tilting in the air?

_Enter_ ROBERTO _in his night-gown and cap, with_
Servants; _he kneels down_.

_Rob._ The gods send her remorse,[235] a poor old age,
Eternal woe, and sickness' lasting rage!

_Gui._ My lord, you may yet o'ertake 'em.

_Rob._ Furies supply that place, for I will not! No: 20
She can forsake me when pleasure's in the full,
Fresh and untired;
What would she on the least barren coldness?
I warrant you she has already got
Her bravoes and her ruffians; the meanest whore
Will have one buckler, but your great ones more.
The shores of Sicil retain not such a monster,
Though to galley-slaves they daily prostitute.
To let the nuptial tapers give light to her new lust!
Who would have thought it? She that could no more
Forsake my company than can the day 31
Forsake the glorious presence of the sun!--
When I was absent then her gallèd eyes
Would have shed April showers, and outwept
The clouds in that same o'er-passionate mood,
When they drowned all the world, yet now forsakes me!
Women, your eyes shed glances like the sun:
Now shines your brightness, now your light is done.
On the sweetest flowers[236] you shine--'tis but by chance,
And on the basest weed you'll waste a glance. 40
Your beams, once lost, can never more be found,
Unless we wait until your course run round,
And take you at fifth hand. Since I cannot
Enjoy the noble title of a man,
But after-ages, as our virtues are
Buried whilst we are living, will sound out
My infamy and her degenerate shame,
Yet in my life I'll smother 't, if I may,
And like a dead man to the world bequeath
These houses of vanity, mills, and lands. 50
Take what you will, I will not keep, among you, servants:
And welcome some religious monastery.
A true sworn beads-man I'll hereafter be,
And wake the morning cock with holy prayers.

_Ser._ Good my lord--noble master----

_Rob._ Dissuade me not, my will shall be my king;
I thank thee, wife; a fair change thou has given;
I leave thy lust to woo the love of Heaven! 58

[_Exit cum servis._

_Gui._ This is conversion, is 't not--as good as might
have been? He turns[237] religious upon his wife's turning
courtesan. This is just like some of our gallant prodigals,
when they have consum'd their patrimonies wrongfully,
they turn Capuchins for devotion.

[_Exit._

[233] Old eds. "Mizaldus aware."

[234] Ed. 1613 "Cods-head."

[235] So the editor of 1820.--Old eds. "no horse."

[236] Ed. 1631 "showres."

[237] Ed. 1631 "returnes."