SANNAZARO

Oh Sir, I would not be The Harbinger of ought that might distaste you. And therefore know (for 'twere a sin to torture Your Highness expectation) your Viceadmiral By my directions hath surprised the Galleys Appointed to transport the Asian tribute Of the great Turk, a richer Prize was never Brought into Florence. My best endeavours never can discharge The service I should pay. As the rising Sun We do receive you. Sir! I saw him in bed Sir. Dread sir, she may dispense the ̄ as she pleases, But I look up to her as on a Princess I dare not be ambitious of, and hope Her prodigal graces shall not render me Offended to your Highness. Security Dwells about this house I think, the gate's wide open, And not a servant stirring. See the horses Set up, and clothed. I'll make bold To press a little further. A good day to you friends. Nay, do not conceal your Physic, I approve it, And if you please will be a Patient with you. A health to yours. Well done, I see you love your selves. And I commend you It's the best wisdom. Tell him I come For a Visit only. It's a handsome pile this. I Cannot apprehend, yet I have argued All ways I can imagine, for what reasons The great Duke does employ me hither, and What does increase the miracle, I must render A strict and true account, at my return Of Lidia this Lords daughter, and describe In what she's excellent, and where defective. It's a hard task; he that will undergo To make a judgement of a woman's beauty, And see through all her plaistrings, and paintings, Had need of Linceus eyes, and with more ease May look Like him through nine mud walls, then make A true discovery of her. But th'intents And secrets of my Princes heart must be Served and not searched into. He Sir Holds still his wonted Greatness, and confesses Himself your debtor, for your love, and care To the Prince Giovanni, and had sent Particular thanks by me, had his Grace known, The quick dispatch of what I was designed to Would have licenced me to see you. Sir, I have herd Your happiness in a daughter. Fame gives her out for a rare masterpiece. Let my desire To see her, find a fair construction from you, I bring no lose thought with me. With your fair leave I make bold to salute you. Where am I? I feel my self another thing! Can charms Be writ on such pure Rubies? Her lips melt Assoon as touched! not those smooth gales that glide Over happy Araby, or rich Sabaea, Creating in their passage gums and spices, Can serve for a weak simile to express The sweetness of her breath. Such a brave stature Homer bestowed on Pallas, every limb Proportioned to it. And I must add If your discourse and reason parallel The rareness of your more then humane form, You are a wonder. Madame, you are so large a theme to treat of, And every Grace about you offers to me Such copiousness of language, that I stand Doubtful which first to touch at. If I err, As in my choice I may, let me entreat you Before I do offend, to sign my pardon, Let this the Emblem of your innocence Give me assurance. Such Laedas paps were, Down pillows styled by Jove. And their pure whiteness Shames the Swans Down, or snow. No heat of lust Swells up her Azure veins. And yet I feel That this chased Ice but touched fans fire in me. If the great Duke Made this his end to try my constant temper, Though I am vanquished, it's his fault, not mine. For I am flesh and blood, and have affections Like other men. Who can behold the Temples, Or holy Altars, but the Objects work Devotion in him? And I may as well Walk over burning iron with bore feet And be unscorched, as look upon this beauty Without desire, and that desire pursued to, Till it be quenched with the enjoying those Delights, which to achieve danger is nothing, And loyalty but a word. Suppose his Greatness Loves her himself, why makes he choice of me To be his agent? it is tyranny To call one pinched with hunger to a feast, And at that instant cruelly deny him To taste of what he sees. Allegiance Tempted too far, is Like the trial of A good sword on and Anvil; as that often Flies in pieces without service to the owner; So trust enforced too far proves treachery, And is too late repented. Whither have my thoughts Carried me from my self? in this my dulness, I have lost and opportunity. Will you please to hear me? Pray you do not think me Unworthy of your ear, it was your beauty That turned me statue, I can speak, fair Lady. Will you hear me If I speak of love? You are a rare one, And such (but that my hast commands me hence) I could converse with ever. Will you grace me With leave to visit you again. Ever touching Upon that string? And will you give me hope Of future happiness? No, I have feasted Already here, my thanks, and so I leave you. I will see you again. Till this unhappy hour I was never lost, and what to do or say I have not yet determined, Here I'll attend his coming, And see you keep your self as much as may be Concealed from all men else. I am driven Into a desperate straight, and cannot steer A middle course; and of the two extremes Which I must make election of, I know not Which is more full of horror. Never servant Stood more engaged to a magnificent Master Then I to Cozimo. And all those honours And glories by his Grace conferred upon me, Or by my prosperous services deserved, If now I should deceive his trust, and make A shipwreck of my loyalty, are ruined. And on the other side, if I discover Lidia's divine perfections, all my Hope's In her are sunk, never to be boyed up: For it's impossible, but assoon as seen She must with adoration be sued to. A Hermit at his beads, but looking on her, Or the cold Cinique, whom Corinthian Lais, Not moved with her lustest blandishments, called a stone, At this object would take fire. Nor is the Duke Such and Hippolitus, but that this Phaedra But seen, must force him to forsake the Groves And Dians Huntmanship, proud to serve under Venus soft Ensigns. No, there is no way For me to hope fruition of my ends, But to conceal her beauty's; and how that May be effected, is as hard a task As with a vail to cover the Suns beams, Or comfortable light. Three years the Prince Lived in her company, and Contarino The Secretary, hath possessed the Duke What a rare piece she is. But he's my creature, And may with ease be frighted to deny What he hath said. And if my long experience With some strong reasons I have thought upon, Cannot overreach a youth, my practice yields me But little profit. You shall have further cause To assure you of my faith and zeal to serve you. And when I have committed to your trust (Presuming still on your retentive silence) A secret of no less importance, then My honour, nay my head, it will confirm What valve you hold with me. This assurance Is more then I with modesty could demand From such a paymaster, but I must be sudden, And therefore to the purpose. Can your Excellence In your imagination conceive On what design, or whither the Dukes will Commanded me hence last night? Grant me hearing, And I will make you truly understand, It only did concern you. You know the Duke, If he die issueless (as yet he is) Determines you his Heir. But say, he should Be won to prove a second wife, on whom He may beget a son, how in a moment Will all those glorious expectations, which Render you reverenced and remarkable, Be in a moment blasted, how ever you are His much loved sisters son? Sweetly answered, And Like your noble self. This your rare temper So wins upon me, that I would not live (If that by honest Arts I can prevent it) To see your Hope's made frustrate. And but think How you shall be transformed from what you are, Should this (as heaven avert it) ever happen, It must disturb your peace. For whereas now, Being as you are received for the Heir apparent, You are no sooner seen, but wondredat; The Signiors making it a business to Inquire how you have slept; and as you walk The streets of Florence, the glad multitude In throngs press but to see you, and with joy The Father, pointing with his finger, tells His son, This is the Prince, the hopeful Prince, That must hereafter rule, and you obey him. Great Ladies beg your picture, and make love To that, despairing to enjoy the substance. And but the last night, when't was only rumoured That you were come to Court (as if you had By Sea passed hither from another world) What general shouts, and acclamations followed, The Bells' rung loud, the boonfires blazed, and such As loved not wine, carrow sing to your health, Were drunk, and blushed not at it. And is this A happiness to partly with? Yet all these were paid To what you may be, not to what you are, For if the great Duke but show to his servants A son of his own, you shall Like one obscure Pass unregarded. That is soon delivered; Great Cozimo your Uncle, as I more Then guess, for it's no frivolous circumstance That does persuade my judgement to believe it, Purposes to be married. With the fair Lidia. The daughter Of Signior Charomonte. That is granted; But Contarino hath so sung her praises, And given her out for such a masterpiece, That he's transported with it Sir. And love Steals sometime through the care into the heart As well as by the eye. The Duke no sooner Herd her described, but I was sent in post To see her, and return my judgement of her. I saw her, And curiously perused her, and I wonder That she that did appear to me, that know What beauty is, not worthy the observing, Should so transport you. Do not betray Your self, you are safe, I have done my partly. In that my Lord t'll aid you. There's no sign Of anger in his looks. We are undone. It's a grace I am unworthy of. This to me Is Wormwood. It's apparent we are taken In our own nooze. What's to be done? It's not to Be questioned, but his purposed journey is To see fair Lidia. There's now no looking backward. Give me leave. I have And Embrion in my brain, which, I despair not, May be brought to form and fashion, provided You will be open breasted. It's enough, this night Write to her by your servant Calandrino As I shall give directions, my man Shall bear him company. See Sir to my wish He does appear, but much transformed from what He was when he came hither. In what Sir? It's now passed help, And we must stand the hazard, hope the best Sir? Sir. See you keep State. And I my Lord chosen rather To deliver her better parted then she is, Then to take from her. All thoughts of her Are in your goodness buried. Which sets off A Prince much more then rigour. I stand ready For any act you please. Him I know sir For a noble Gentleman, and my worthy friend, But never herd of her. This is Sir And easy task. It shall not sir. He cannot want, what you are pleased to wish him. She is a Magazine of all perfection, And it's death to partly from her, yet I must, A parting kiss fair Maid. You in your present state, and future Fortune's, For both lie at the stake? It's a pretty creature. Yes, yes, I have seen worse faces. She hath a waste Indeed sized to loves wish. Then for a leg and foot. As she is Sir I know she wants no gracious partly that may Allure the Duke, and if he only see her She is his own. He will not be denied, And then you are lost. Yet if you'll second me (As you have reason, for it most concerns you) I can prevent all yet. I will cry down her beauty's; Especially the beauty's of her mind, As much as Contarino hath advanced they, And this I hope, will breed forgetfulness, And kill affection in him: but you must Join with me in my report, if you be questioned. Be constant in it. I have seen a Maid Sir, But if that I have judgement, no such wonder As she was delivered to you. But certain truth, it may be she was looked on With admiration in the Country Sir, But if compared with many in your Court, She would appear but ordinary. Such as never saw Swans, May think Crows beautiful. It's Like the place she lives in. Very course, I would not willingly say poor, and rude, But had she all the beauty's of fair women, The dulness of her soul would fright me from her. This is to my wish. What power hold you over Lidia? Do you think that with some hazard of her life She would prevent your ruin? Nay pray you forbear. You Whidgin, You are to make all speed, think not of pomp. What is't? Go too Sirrah, You'll be whipped for this. ARe you not tired with travail Sir? Yes sir, you will find her Such as I gave her to you. The Duke is too sharp sighted To be deluded thus. It'll rather Sir Increase his sorrow, that you know his shame, Your Grace may do it by Letter. 'Tis proved in me, the curse of humane frailty (Adding to our afflictions) makes us know What's good, and yet our violent passion force us To follow what is ill. Reason assured me It was not safe to shave a Lyons skin, And that to trifle with a Sovereign, was To play with lightning: yet imperious beauty Treading upon the neck of understanding, Compelled me to put off my natural shape Of loyal duty, to disguise my self In the adulterate, and cobweb masque Of disobedient treachery. Where is now My borrowed Greatness? or the promised lives Of following Courtiers echoing my will? In a moment vanished? Power that stands not on Its proper base, which is peculiar only To absolute Princes, falls, or rises, with Their frown, or favour. The great Duke my Master (Who almost changed me to his other self) No sooner takes his beams of comfort from me, But I as one unknown, or unregarded, Unpitied suffer! who makes intercession To his mercy for me now? who does remember The service I have done him? not a man; And such as spoke no language, but my Lord, The favourite of Tuskanies grand Duke Deride my madness. Would! What noise of horses? A goodly troop! This back-part of my prison Allows me liberty to see and know them. Contarino! Yes, it's he, and Lodovico; And the Duchess Fiorinda; Urbins heir, A Princess I have slighted; yet I wear Her favours. And to teach me what I am, She whom I scorned can only meditate for me. This way she makes, yet speak to her I dare not, And how to make suit to her, is a task Of as much difficulty; yes; thou blessed pledge Of her affectionayde me. This supplies The want of pen and ink, and this of paper. It must be so, and I in my Petition Concise and pithy. ANd can it be your bounties should fallen down In showers on my ingratitude? or the wrongs Your Greatness should revenge, teach you to pity? What retribution can I make? what service Pay to your goodness, that in some proportion May to the world express, I would be thankful? Since my engagements are so great, that all My best endeavours to appear your creature Can but proclaim my wants, and what I owe To your magnificence. Make me understand Great Princess, what they are, and my obedience Shall with all cheerful willingness subscribe To what you shall command. I am wretched In having but one life to be employed As you please to dispose it. And believe it, If it be not already forfeited To the fury of my Prince, as it's your gift, With all the faculties of my soul, I'll study In what I may to serve you. It's Lidia Madame, she. — The Duke? that counvenance once, When it was clothed in smiles, showed Like and Angels, But now it's folded up in clouds of fury, It's terrible to look on. LEave the horses with my Grooms; but be you careful With your best diligence, and speed to find out The Prince, and humbly in my name entreat him I may exchange some private conference with him Before the great Duke know of my arrival. Leave us. When that your Grace shall know the motives That forced me to invite you to this trouble, You will excuse my manners. I more then fear it. It's more fit That I should ask your pardon for disturbing Your restat this unseasonable hour. But my occasions carrying me so near Your hospitable house, my stay being short to; Your goodness, and the name of friend, which you Are pleased to grace me with, gave me assurance A Visit would not offend. Where should this Princess be? nor in her lodgings, Nor in the private walks, Her own retreat Which she so much frequented? I crave your pardon, and yours, matchless Maid, For such I must report you. Will you vouchsafe Your ear sweet Lady? We both confess a guilty cause.