LIVIO

You're well read In mysteries of state, at best It's but a goodly pandarism. I must resolve To turn my sister whore, speak a homeword, For my old Bachelor— Lord, so, i'st not so? A trifle in respect of present means, Here's all— May it prove so. Sister, look ye, How by a new creation off my Tailors, I've shook off old mortality, the rags Of home spun Gentry (prithee sister mark it) Are cast by, and I now appear in fashion Unto men, and received, observe me sister, The consequence concerns you. First Romanello, This for your satisfaction: if you waste More hours in courtship to this maid, my sister, Weighing her competency with your own, You go about to built without foundation; So that care will prove void. Next Castamela, To thee (my own loved Sister) let me say I have not been so bountiful, in showing To Fame, the treasure, which this age hath opened, As thy true valve merits. My jealousy of thy fresh blooming years, Prompted a fear of husbanding too charily Thy growth to such perfection, as no flattery Of are can perish now. I'll no longer Chamber thy freedom, we have been already Thrifty enough in our low Fortune's, henceforth Command thy liberty, with that thy pleasures. A day, a week, a month Sported amongst such beauty's, is a gain On time, th'are young, wife, noble, fair, and chased. I wait you to your coach, Some two hours hence. I shall return again. Who, I, I jealous? no, no, here's no cause In this place it's a nunnery, a retirement For meditation, all the difference extant But puzzles, only bar belief, not grounds it, Rich services in place! soft and fair lodgings, Varieties of recreations, exercise Of music in all changes? neat attendance? Princely, nay royal furniture of garments? Satiety of gardens, orchards, water works, Pictures so ravishing, that ranging eyes, Might dwell upon a dotage of conceit, Without a single wish for livelier substance? The great world in a little world of Fancy, Is here abstracted: no temptation proffered But such as fools and mad folks can invite to? And yet— My presence then is usher to her ruin, And lose of her, the fruit of my preferment. By our firm truth of friendship, I subscribe To just conditions. Good, good— Troylo, O that I had a lusty Faith to credit it, Though none of all this wonder should be possible. News admirable, it's, it's so—pish I know it, Yet he has a kind heart of his own to girls, Young, handsome Girls; yes, yes, so of may, 'Tis granted—of wood now and then be piddling, And play the wanton, Like a fly that dallies About a candles flame: then scorch his wings, Drop down, and creep away, would? Send him joy on't. Well, I have lived in ignorance: the ancients, Who chatted of the golden age, feigned trisles. Had they dreamt this, they would have truthed it heaven. I mean and earthly heaven, less it is not. The Yellows. But why are you his instrument, his Nephew? 'Tis ominous in nature. Knowing how things stand too. A caution happily studied. Yes and properly, Since all his recreations are in Fancy. I'm infinitely taken—sister? marry Would I had sisters in a plenty, Troylo, So to bestow them all, and turn them Fancies. Fancies? Why it's a pretty name methinks. Silence. All happiness, all joy. Fie Castamela sie, My Lord upon my life. Suddenly I shall return, now for a round tempta cion. Health and his hearts desire to Romanello; My welcome I bring with me; noblest Lady, Excuse and ignorance of your fair presence; This may be bold intrusion. This Lady, With both these Gentlemen, in happy hour May be partakers of the long lived amity, Our souls must liuke in. Siena sometime Has been informed how gladly there did pass A treaty of chased loves with Castamela; From this good heart, it was in me and error Wilful and causeless, it's confessed, that hindered Such honourable prosecution, Even and equal; better thoughts consider, How much I wronged the gentle course which led ye To vows of true affection; us of friendship. Then without plea, For countenancing what has been injurious On my partly, I am come to tender really My Sister a loved Wife the; freely take her Right honest man, and as ye live together, May your increase of years prove but one spring, One lasting flourishing youth; she is your own, My hands shall perfect what's required to ceremony. Enjoin and oath at large. You'd be courted, Courtship's the child of coyness Romanello; And for the Rules it's possible to name them. Full,—answer was late mate to this already, My Sister's only thine. Here is scorn in Riddles, So would the he you talk to, Romanello, Without a noise that's singular. Castamela Is refused then. Intelligence flies swiftly. So my Sister Can be no wife for Romanello? Far be't from me to press a blame, great Lady; I kiss your noble hands, and to these Gentlemen Present a civil parting; Romanello, By the next foot-Post thou wilt hear some news Of alteration; if I send, come to me. My thanks may quit the favour. I come, my Lord, a Suitor. Pray discharge my office, My mastership; 'twere better live a yeoman And live with men, then over-eye your houses, While I my self am ridden Like a jade. Without passion, My Lord, d'yee think your Nephew here, your Troylo Parts in your spirit as freely as your blood; It's no rude question. Pretty Gentleman, How modestly you move your doubts? how tamely? Ask Romanello, he hath without leave Surveyed your Bowers of FANCIES, hath discovered The mystery of those pure Nuns; those chased ones, Untouched forsooth; the holy Academy: Hath found a Mother's daughter there of mine too, And one who called my Father Father, talks out, Ruffles in mirth on't; baffled to my face The glory of her greatness by it. Death to my sufferance, canst thou hear this misery, And answer't with a truly? 'twas thy wickedness False as thine own heart tempted my credulity, That, her to ruin; she was once and innocent, As free from spot, as the blue face of heaven Without a cloud in't; she is now as fully'd As is that Canopy, when mists and vapours Divide it from our sighed, and threaten pestilence. Yes, an't Like your nobleness; He truly does so say; your breach of friendship With me, must borrow courage from your Uncle, While your sword talks and answer; theres no remedy, I will have satisfaction, though thy life Come short of such demand. Not? the time is short, Before our sleeping hour: you vow. So I intend to, On confidence of which, what left the Marquessa In charge for me? I'll do't. Easy business, And then.— Yet your servant. It's strange, is't possible. You find Sir, I have proved a ready servant, And brought th'expected guests, amid these feastings, These costly entertainments; you must pardon My incivility that here sequesters Your ears from choice of music, or discourse To a less pleasant parley; night draws on, And quickly will grow old; it were unmanly For any Gentleman, who loves his honour, To put it on the rack; here is small comfort Of such a satisfaction as was promised, Though certainly it must be had; pray tell me What can appear about me to be used thus? My soul is free from injuries. Not wronged me? (Blessed Heaven!) this is the bandy of a patience Beyond all sufferance. Fine whirls in tame imagination; on sir, It is scarce mannerly at such a season, Such a solemnity (the place and presence Considered) with delights, to mix combustions. Turn Capuchine, He, while I stand a Cypher and fill up Only and useless sum to be laid out In and unthristy lewdness, that must buy Both name and riot; O my Fickle destiny! Patience keep within me, Leap not yet rudely into scorn of anger. Hark you Troylo. Much more worthy A better Brother, he a better Friend Then my dull brains could fashion. Most noble Lord, I am struck silent. Livio my good Lord. Here's Romanello, a fine tempered gallant, Of decent carriage, of indifferent means, Considering that his sister, new hoist up, From a lost Merchant's warehouse, to the titles Of a great Lords-bed, may supply his wants Not sunk in his acquaintance, for a scholar Able enough, and one who may subsist Without the help of friends, provided always, He fly not upon wedlock without certainty Of and advancement, else a bachelor May thrive by observation on a little. As single life's no burden, but to draw In yokes is chargeable, and will require A double maintenance, why I can live Without a wife, and purchase. Name and honour. What are they? a mere found without supportance, A begging chastity, youth, beauty, hansomnesse, Discourse, behaviour which might charm attention, And curse the gazers eyes into amazement; Are Nature's common bounties. So are Diamonds Uncut, so flowers unworn, so silkworms webs Unwrought, gold unrefined, then all those glories are of esteem, when used and set at price, There's no dark sense in this. They come as soon as spoke of—sweetest fair-ones My sister cannot but conceive this honour Particular in your respects: Dear sir You grace us in your favours. On, I attend with eagerness. Castamela, My Sister, noble Lord. Are you so taken? Sir, I dare answer My sisters resolution. Free converse Amongst so many of her Sex, so virtuous, She ever hath preferred before the surquedry Of protestation, or the vainer giddiness Of popular attendants. Be now my Sister, stand a trial bravely: My Lord. Idem speak with you anon. O I am cheated. PRithee be serious. Tattle? Sister, Dee know to whom you talk this? Thou mistakest sure What person thou holdest speech with. Is't possible? why? you are turned a Mistress, A Mistress of the trim; beshrew me Lady You keep a stately Port, but it becomes you not: Our Father's Daughter, if I err not rarely, Delighted in a softer humbler sweetness: Not in a hey-de-gay of scurvy Gallantry. You do not brave it Like a thing oth' fashion; You Ape the humour faintly. Fine sport, you mind not me; will you yet hear me Madam? And so you clapped the bargain, the conceit on't Tickles your contemplation. It's come out now, A Woman's tongue I see, some time or other Will prove her Traitor: This was all I sifted, And here have found thee wretched. You are much witty. Why Caestamcla, this to me? you counterfeit Most palpably. I am too well acquainted With thy condition Sister; if the Marquess Hath uttered one unchaste, one wanton syllable, Provoking thy contempt: not all the flatteries Of his assurance to our Hope's of rising, Can or shall slave our souls. In such earnest? Hath goodness left thee quite? fool thou art wandering In dangerous fogs, which will corrupt the purity Of every noble virtue dwelled within thee. Come home again, home Castamela Sister; Home to thine own simplicity, and rather Then yield thy memory up to the Witchcraft Of and abused confidence; be courted For Romanello. Scornest thou The name? thy thoughts I find then are changed rebels To all that's honest, that's to truth and honour. Thou art fallen suddenly Into a pleurisy of faithless impudence; A whorish itch infects thy blood; a leprosy Of raging lust, and thou art mad to prostitute The glory of thy Virgin dower basely For common sale. This foulness must be purged, Or thy disease will rankle to a pestilence, Which can even taint the very air about thee: But I shall study Physic. Saucy? strumpet In thy desires: it's in my power to cut off The twist thy life is spun by. You are a gallant One of my old Lord Fancies. Peevish girl Was't ever herd that youth could dote on sickness, A grey beard, wrinkled face, a dried up marrow, A toothless head,—a—this is but a merriment, Merely but trial. Romanello loves thee, Has not abundance, true, yet cannot want. Return with me, and I will leave these Fortune's, Good Maid, of gentle nature. Will you hence, and trust to My care of settling you a peace. Off be't broken, I'll do what thou shalt rue. So confident? young Mistress mine, I'll do't. Such language from a Gentleman So noble in his quality as you are Deserves in my weak Judgement rather pity Then a contempt. Most impossible. Add any thing of reason. Your bounty Stile me your ever servant. It seems the bargain, Was driven before between ye. Pish, believe it, Endeavours and and active brain, are better Then patrimonies left by parents. Prove it, One thrives by cheating; shallow fools and unthrifts, Are game knaves only sly at: then a fellow Presumest on his hair, and that his back can toil For fodder from the City, lies: another Reputed valiant, lives by the sword, and takes up Quarrels or braves them, as the novice likes, To guild his reputation, most improbable. A wor'd of desperate undertakings, possibly, Procures some hungry meals, some tavern surfeits, Some frippery to hide nakedness: perhaps The scambling half a ducat now and then To roar and noise it with the tattling hostess, For a weeks lodging: these are pretty shifts, Souls bankrupt of their royalty submit to. Give me a man, whose practice and experience, Conceives not barely the Philosophers stone, But indeed ha it, one whose wit's his Indies. The poor is most ridiculous. Ladies of birth and I quality are suitors For being known t'ee, I have promised, sister, They shall partake your company. Castamela chased, I would not hazard My Hope's, my joys of thee, on dangerous trial. Yet if (as it may chance) a neat clothed merriment Pass without blush in tattling to the words, Fallen not too broad, it's but a pastime smiled at Amongst your selves in counsel, but beware Of being overheard. Phew—anon I shall instruct at large.—we are prepared And easily entreated; it's good manners Not to be troublesome. Troylo-Savelli, Plays merrily on my wants, By their merits. O Sir, Create me what you please of yours, do this, You are another Nature, I wish Clarella were allotted. Danger? dishonour, Troylo: were my sister In safety from those charms, I must confess I could live here for ever.