THORELLO

Piso, come hither: there lies a note within upon my desk; here take my key: it's no matter neither, where's the boy? Brother, did you see that same fellow there? He is e'ene the honestest faithful servant, that is this day in Florence; (I speak a proud word now) and one that I durst trust my life into his hands, I have so strong opinion of his love, if needs were. Faith brother, I am loath to utter it, As fearing to abuse your patience, But that I know your judgement more direct, Able to sway the nearest of affection. I will not say what honour I ascribe Unto your friendship, nor in what deer state I hold your love; let my continued zeal, The constant and religious regard, That I have ever carried to your name, My carriage with your sister, all contest, How much I stand affected to your house. Then (without further ceremony) thus. My brother Prospero (I know not how) Of late is much declined from what he was, And greatly altered in his disposition. When he came first to lodge here in my house, Never trust me, if I was not proud of him: Me thought he bore himself with such observance, So true election and so fair a form: And (what was chief) it showed not borrowed in him, But all he did became him as his own, And seemed as perfect, proper, and innate, Unto the mind, as colour to the blood, But now his course is so irregular, So lose affected, and deprived of grace. And he himself withal so far fallen off From his first place, that scarce no note remains, To tell men's judgements where he lately stood; He's grown a stranger to all endue respect, Forgetful of his friends, and not content To stale himself in all societies, He makes my house as common as a Mars, A Theater, a public receptacle For giddy humour, and diseased riot, And there, (as in a Tavern, or a stews,) He, and his wild associates, spend their hours, In repetition of lascivious e ts, Swear, leap, and dance, and revel night by night, Control my servants: a worser indeed what not? Nay good Brother have patience. Oh there are dium ̄ ers reasons to dissuade me, But would your self vouchsafe to travail in it, (Though but with plain, and easy circumstance,) It would, both come much better to his sense, And savour less of grief and discontent. You are his elder brother, and that title Confirms and warrants your authority: Which (seconded by your aspect) will breed A kind of duty in him, and regard. Whereas, if I should intimate the least, It would but add contempt, to his neglect, Heap worse on ill, rear a huge pile of hate, That in the building, would come tottering down, And in her vines, bury all our love. Nay more then this brother; (if I should speak) He would be ready in the heat of passion, To fill the ears of his familiars, With oft reporting to them, what disgrace And gross disparagement, I had proposed him. And then would they straight back him, in opinion, Make some lose comment upon every word, And out of their distracted fantasies; Contrive some slander, that should dwell with me. And what would that be think you? marry this, They would give out, (because my wife is fair, My self but lately married, and my sist r Here sojourning a virgin in my house) That I were jealous: nay, as sure as death, Thus they would say: and how that I had wronged My brother purposely, thereby to find And apt pretext to banish them my house. Brother they would believe it: so should I (Like one of these penurious quack-slaluers,) But try experiments upon my self, Open the gates unto mine own disgrace, Lend bare-ribd envy, opportunity. To stab my reputation, and good name. He came not to his lodging to night sir, I assure you. Nay Brother Giuliano. You shall not follow him now I pray you, Good faith you shall not. O do not fret your self thus, never think oh it. But brother, let your apprehension (then) Run in and easy current, not transported With heady rashness, or devouring choler, And rather carry a persuading spirit, Whose powers will pierce more gently; and allure, the imperfect thoughts you labour to reclaim, To a more sudden and resolved assent. How now? o the bell rings to breakfast. Brother Giuliano, I pray you go in and bear my wife company: I'll but give order to my servants for the dispatch of some but sines and come to you presently. What Cob? our maids will have you by the back (I'faith) For coming so late this morning. Now (in good faith) my mind is somewhat eased, Though not repo worser in that security, As I could wish; well, I must be content, How ever I set a face on't to the world, Would I had lost this inger at a vent, So Prospero had never lodged in my house, Why't cannot be, where there is such resort Of wanton gallants, and young revellers, That any woman should be honest long. I'st Like, that factious beauty will preserve The sovereign state of chastity vnscard, When such strong motives muster, and make head Against her single peace? no, no: beware When mutual pleasure sways the appetite, And spirits of one kind and quality, Do meet to parlee in the pride of blood. Well (to be plain) if I but thought, the time Had answered their affections: all the world Should not persuade me, but I were a cuckold: Marry I hope they have not God that start. For opportunity hath balked them yet, And shall do still, while I have eyes and ears To attend the imposition of my heart, My presence shall be as and Iron Bar, Betwixt the conspiring motions of desire, Yea every look or glance mine eye objects, Shall check occasion, as one does his slave, When he forgets the limits of prescription. And she have overheard me now? By Christ I would not for a thousand crowns. Troth my head akes extremely on a sudden. How now? what? How simple, and how subtle are her answers? A new disease, and many troubled with it. Why true, she herd me all the world to nothing. I'll come to you presently, it will away I hope. A new disease? I know not, new or old. But it may well be called poor mortals Plague; For Like a pestilence it does infect The houses of the brain: first it begins Solely to work upon the fantasy, Filling her seat with such pestiferous air, As soon corrupts the judgement, and from thence, Sends Like contagion to the memory, Still each of other catching the infection, Which as a searching vapor spreads it self Confusedly through every sensive partly, Till not a thought or motion in the mind Be free from the black poison of suspect. Ah, but what error is it to know this, And want the free election of the soul In such extremes? well, I will once more strive, (Even in despite of hell) my self to be, And shake this fever off that thus shakes me. Why what's a clock? Hath he the money ready, can you tell? O that's well: fetch me my cloak. Stay, let me see; and hour to go and come, I that will be the least: and then it'll be And hour, before I can dispatch with him; Or very near: well, I will say two hours; Two hours? would? things never drempt of yet May be contrived, I and effected too, In two hours absence: well I will not go. Two hours; no flee king opportunity I will not give your treachery that scope. Who will not judge him worthy to be robbed, That sets his doors wide open to a thief, And shows the felon, where his treasure lies Again, what earthy spirit but will attempt To taste the fruit of beauty's golden tree, When leaden sleep seals up the dragons eyes? O beauty is a Project of some power, Chiefly when opportunity attends her: She will infuse true motion in a stone, Put glowing fire in and Icy soul, Stuff peasants bosoms with proud Caesars spleen, Pour rich device into and empty brain: Bring youth to follies gate: there train him in, And after all, extenuate his sin. Well, I will not go, I am resolved for that. Go carry it again, yet stay: yet do too, I will defer it till some other time. That's true: by Jesu I had clean forgotten it. I must go, what's a clock? 'Hart, then will Prospero presently be here too, With one or other of his lose consorts. I am a Jew, if I know what to say, What course to take, or which way to resolve. My brain (me thinks) is Like and hourglass, And my imaginations Like the sands, Run dribbling forth to fill the mouth of time, Still changed with turning in the ventricle. What were I best to do? it shall be so. Nay I dare built upon his secrecy? Piso. Yet now I have bethought me to, I will not. Is Cob within? But he'll prate too, there's no talk of him. No, there were no course upon the earth to this, If I durst trust him; tut I were secure, But there's the question now, if he should prove, Rimarum plenus, then, 'sblood I were Rook . The state that he hath stood in till this present Does promise no such change what should I fear then? Well, come what will, isle tempt my fortune once. Piso, thou mayest deceive me, but I think thou love me Piso. I have a matter to impart to thee, but thou must be see cret, Piso. Nay hear me man; think I esteem thee well, To let thee in thus to my private thoughts; Piso, it is a thing, sits nearer to my crest, Then thou art beware of: if thou shouldst reveal it— Nay, I do not think thou wouldst, but if thou shouldst: He will not swear: he has some meaning sum e, Else (being urged so much) how should he choose, But lend and oath to all this protestation? He is no puritane, that I am certain of. What should I think of it? urge him again, And in some other form: I will do so. Well Piso, thou hast sworn not to disclose; I you did swear Nay I dare take thy word. But if thou wilt swear; do as you think good, I am resolved without such circumstance. Enough, enough, these ceremonies needs not, I know thy faith to be as firm as brass. Piso come hither: nay we must be close In managing these actions: So it is, (Now he ha sworn I dare the safelier speak;) I have of late by diverse observations— But, whither his oath be lawful yea, or no, would I will ask counsel ere I do proceed: Piso, it will be now too long to stay, We'll spy some fitter time soon, or to morrow. I pray you search the books gainst I return For the receipts betwixt me and Platan . And hear you: if my brother Prospero Chance to bring hither any gentlemen Ere I come back: let one straight bring me word. Forget it not, nor be not you out of the way. Or whither he come or no, if any other, Stranger or else? fail not to send me word. Have care I pray you and remember it. But Piso, this is not the secret I told thee of. Nay believe me it is not. By heaven it is not, that's enough. Marry, I would not thou shouldst utter it to any creature li ving. Yet I care not. Well, I must hence: Piso conceive thus much, No ordinary person could have drawn So deep a secret from me; I mean not this, But that I have to tell thee: this is nothing, this. Piso, remember, silence, buried here: No greater hell then to be slave to fear. Would, how many are there, sayest thou? Tut, beside him: what strangers are there man? How? so many? A swarm, a swarm, Spite of the Devil, how they sting my heart! How long hast thou been coming hither Cob? Didst thou come running? Tut, then I am familiar with thy haste. Ban to my Fortune's: what meant I to marry? I that before was ranked in such content, My mind attired in smooth silken peace, Being free master of mine own free thoughts, And now become a slave? what, never sighs, Be of good cheer m n: for thou art a cuckold, It's done, it's done: nay when such flowing store, Plenty it self falls in my wives lap, The Cor u-copi will be mine I know. But Cob, What entertainment had they? I am sure My sister and my wife would bid them welcome, would? No, their lips were sealed with kisses, and the voice Drowned in a flood of joy at their arrival, Had lost her motion, state and faculty. Cob, which of them was't that first kissed my wife? (My sister I should say) my wife, alas, I fear not her: would? who was it sayest thou? O I good Cob: I pray thee. How? were they not gone in then ever thou camest? Spite of the Devil, what do I stay here then? Cob, follow me. Why, how now? whats the matter? what stir is hear, Whence springs this quarrel, P oh where is he? Put up your weapons, and put of this rage. My wife and sister they are cause of this, What, Pizo? where is this kna e. Why how now brother, who inforced this braule. O that was some love of yours, sister. Her love, by Jesu: my wises minion, Fair disposition? excellent good parts? S'hart, these phr ses are intolerable, Good parts? how should she know his parts? well well It is too plain, oo clear: Piz come hither. What are they gone? Are any of the gallants within? Art thou sure oh it? Pizo what gentleman was that they praised so? I, I thought so: my mind gave me as much: Sblood isle be hanged if they h e not hid him in the house, Some where, isle go S arch, Piz go with me, Be true to me and thou shalt find me bo ntifull. Now trust me Pr S ro you were much to blame, T'incense your brother and disturb the peace, Of my poor house, for there be S ntinelles, That very minute watch to give alarames, Of civil war, without adjection, Of your assistance and occasion. Now God forbid: Oh me? now I remember, My wife drunk to me last; and changed the cup, And bade me beware this cursed suit to day, See, if God suffer murder undiscovered? I feel me ill; give me some Mithredate, Some Mithredate and oil; good sister fetch me, Oh, I am sick at heart: I burn, I burn; If you will save my life go fetch it me. No time but now? well, isle wait upon his worship, Pizo, Cob, isle seek them out, and set them sentinel till I re turn. Pizo, Cob, Pizo. Ho Pizo, Cob, where are these villains troe? O, art thou there? Pizo hark thee here: Mark what I say to thee, I must go forth; Be careful of thy promise, keep good watch, Note every gallant and observe him well, That enters in my absence to thy mistress; If she would show him rooms, the jest is stale, Follow them Pizo or else hang on him, And let him not go after, mark their looks? Note if she offer but to see his band, Or any other amorous toy about him, But praise his leg, or foot, or if she say, The day is hot, and bid him feel her hand, How hight it is, o thats a monstrous thing: Note me all this, sweet Pizo ; mark their sighs, And if they do but whisper break them off, I'll bear thee out in it: wilt thou do this? Wilt thou be true sweet Pizo ? Thanks gentle Pizo : where is Cob ? now: Cob? How: is my wife gone forth, where is she sister? Abroad with Pizo ? o that villain dors me. He hath discovered all unto my wife, Beast that I was to trust him: whither went she? Whither for gods sake? I will, I will, to Cobs house? does she haunt Cobs, She's gone a purpose now to cuckold me, With that lewd rascal, who to win her favour, Hath told her all. Out on thee more then strumpets impudency, Stealest thou thus to thy haunts? and have I taken, Thy baud, and thee, and thy companion? This hoary headed lecher, this old goat Close at your villainy, and wouldst thou scuse it, With this stale harlots jest, accusing me? Oh old incontinent, dost thou not shame, When all thy powers inchastity is spent, To have a mind so hight? and to entice And feed the enticements of a lustful woman? Defy me strumpet? ask thy pander here Can he deny it? or that wicked elder. Tut, tut, never speak, Thy guilty conscience will discover thee: Hesperida? is she not at home What Cob art thou here? o I am abused, And in thy house, was never man so wronged. Marry young lu to in old, and old in young here, Thy wives their baud, here have I taken them. After two sir. I found her there sir. Marry that did my brother Prospero. He plays upon my before head, brother Giulliano, I pray you tell me one thing I shall ask you: is my forehead any thing rougher then it was wont to be. Why should he then say? be smooth foreheaded, Unless he jested at the smothnesse of it? And that may be; for horn is very smooth; So are my brows by Jesu, smooth as horn? Tell me By cham, do not you play the woman with me. Dissemble? Nay do not turn away: but say I faith was it not a match appointed betwixt this old gentleman and you? Nay if it were not, I do not care: do not weep I pray thee sweet Biancha, nay so now? by Jesus I am not jealous, but resolved I have the faythfulst wife in Italy. For this I find where jealousy is fed, Horns in the mind , are worse then on the head. See what a drove of horns fly in the air, Winged with my cle said, and my credulous breath: Watch them suspicious eyes, watch where they fallen, See see, on heads that think they have none at all. O what a ple vous world of this will come, When air reins horns, all men besure of some. O he ven,? abroad? what light? a harlot too? Why? why? hark you, hath she? hath she not a brother? A brother's house to keep? to look un oh? But she must fling abroad, my wife hath spoiled her, She takes right after her, she does, she does, Well you goody b u and— That make your husband such a hoddy dod ; And you young apple squire, and old cuckold m ker, I'll have you every one before the Doctor, Nay you shall answer it I charge you go. A bitter quean, come weel have you tamd. Gone with my sister sir, I know not whither. I, I, percei e well we were all ab said Let him tell over that Spanish gold, and weigh it, and do you see the delivery of those wares to Signior Bentivol : isle be there my self at the receipt of the money anon. Am I not sick? how am I then not poisoned? Am I not poisoned? how am I then so sick?