AURELIA

We thank your valours A victory without blood is twice achieved, And the disposure of it to us tendered, A Guard made Aurelia. pass thorough em. loud music . The greatest honour, worthy captains thanks. My love extends it self to all You shall have just cause To say it hath. The charge of the long siege Defrayed, and the lose my Subject's have sustained Made good, since so far I must deal with caution, You have your liberty My Lord Gonzagam. Since my coming to Siena, I have herd much Of your prisoner; brave Bert ldo. He is, as it's reported, A goodly gentleman, and of noble parts, A brother of your order. Great minds For trial of their valours oft maintain Quarrels that are unjust, yet without malice, And such a fair construction I make of him. I would see that brave enemy; But not to us; We must weigh with our own scale. This is he, are! How soon mine eye had found him! what a port He bears! how well his bravery becomes him! A prisoner! nay, a princely suitor rather! But I am too sudden. With what Majesty He bears himself! You ill deserve Ferdinand kn eling, isses her hand. The favour of our hand; we are no well, Give us more air. S descends suddenly That lifted yours against me. Before You have our licence to depart; if manners, Civility of manners cannot teach you T'attend our leisure, I must tell you, Sir, That you are still our prisoner, or had you Commission to free him. You were my substitute, and wanted power Without my warrant to dispose of him. I will pay back his ransom ten times over, Rather then quit my interest. How, come nearer; Was his usage such? In your charity Believe me innocent. Now you are my prisoner You shall have fairer quarter, you will shame The place where you have been, should you now leave it Before you are recovered. I'll conduct you To more convenient lodgings, and it shall be My care to cherish you. Repine who dare; It is our will. You'll follow me? Let not, Sir, The violence of my passion nourish in you And ill opinion; or grant my carriage Out of the road, and Gam be of private women, It's still done with decorum. As I am A Princess, what I do, is above cens re, And to be imitated. Consider of it, I will not be long from you, Be ldo walking by musing. Are you blind ? who are we ? Prefer your S ites Unto Bertoldo, we will give him hearing, And you'll find him your best advocate. Exit Aurelia You shall know hereafter, My lord your pardon, for my too much trenching upon your patience. How do you I expect not But fair equality, since I well know If that superiority be worser e It's not to me, When you are made my censor All the prerogatives of my high birth canceled I'll practice the obedience of a wis , And freely pay it. Queens themselves, if they Make choice of their inferiors, only aiming To feed their sensual appetites, and to reign Over their husbands, in some kind commit Authorized whoredom, nor will I be guilty In my intent of such a crime. You are ever. And enemy of our sex, but you I hope Sir Have better thoughts. Or add or altar What you think fit. In him I have my all, Heaven make me thankful for him. How's this? You seem troubled, Sir, I never wronged you. Is this true? On the sudden I feel all fires of love quenched in the water Of compassion, make your peace; you have My free consent; for here I do disclaim All interest in you: and to further your Desires, fair Maid, composed of worth and honour, The dispensation procured by me, Fr eing Bertoldo from his vow, makes way To your embraces. For my partly I cannot guess the issue. Enter Syl. with But for these aids from Sicily sent against us To blast our pring of conquest in the bud: I cannot find, my Lord Ambassador, How we should entertaine't but as a wrong. With purpose to detain us from our own. How e'r the King endeavours in his letters To mitigate the affront. Pray you do: And bring him to our presence. Exit Gonzagam. Sure his lips are poisoned, And through that see veins, force passage to my heart Aside. Which is already eaz'd upon. But not of love: Aside. Why, hath your entertainment, Sir, been such In your restraint, that with the wings of fear You would fly from it? Oh thou mis-sh p'd monster! In thee it is confirmed, that such as have No share in nam ures bounties, know no pity To such as have they Look on him with my eyes, And answer then, whither this were a man, Whose heekes of lovely fullness should be made A prey to meager famine? or these eyes Whose every glance store Cupid's emptied quiver, To be dimmed with tedious watching? or these lips, These rudie lips, of whose fresh colour, cherries And roses were but copies, should grow pale For want of Nectar? or these legs that bear A burden of more worth, then is supported By Atla wearied shoulders, should be cramped With the weight of iron? Oh I could dwell ever On this description! No, Lord General, I have herd my father say oft, 'twas a custom, Usual in the camp, nor are they to be punished For words, that have in fact deserved so well. Let the one excuse the other. A Seat here for the Duke. It is our glory To overcome with courtesies, not rigor; To Lordly Roman, who held it the height Of humane happiness, to have kings and Queens To wait by his triumphant chariot wheels In his insulting pride, deprived himself Of drawing near the nature of the gods, Best known for such, in being merciful, Yet give me leave, but still with gentle language, And with the freedom of a riend to tell you, To seek by force, what courtship could not win, was not harsh, and never taught in loves mild school. Wise Poets feign that Venus coach is drawn By doves, and sparrows, not by bears, and tigers. Good, ere long You shall know me better. Yes, the object, Look on it better (Lady) may excuse The charge of his affection. You dwell too long In your deliberation, and come With a cripples pace to that which you should lie to That hind rance Is easily removed. I owe the king For a royal visit which I straight will pay him, And having first reconciled you to his favour, A dispensation shall meet with us, But done in heat of blood, (Charmed by her flatteries, as no doubt he was) To be dispensed with. We shall take time To search the depth of't further, and proceed As our counsel shall direct us. Yes Gonzagam, Provide a royal ship. On this book seal it.