GALEAZZO, a Milanese Prince, disguised under the name of HORTENSIO. JULIO, his Attendant.

MARTINO,

Captains.

Florentine Officers.

Milanese Ambassador.

Doctor.

MATILDA, Daughter to GONZAGA.
BEATRICE, her Waiting-Woman.

MARIA, Daughter to OCTAVIO, disguised as a
Page, and called ASCANIO.

Waiting-Women.

Hort. Honest ones, I know it.

I have my bills of exchange, and all provisions,
Entrusted to you; you have shewn yourself
Just and discreet, what would you more? and yet,
To satisfy in some part your curious care,
Hear this, and leave me. I desire to be
Obscured; and, as I have demean'd myself
These six months past in Mantua, I'll continue
Unnoted and unknown, and, at the best,
Appear no more than a gentleman, and a stranger,
That travels for his pleasure.

Jul. With your pardon,

This hardly will hold weight, though I should With your noble friends and brother.

Hort. You may tell them,

[swear it,

Since you will be my tutor, there's a rumour,
Almost cried up into a certainty,

Of wars with Florence, and that I am determined
To see the service: whatever I went forth,

From Florence; but it is 'gainst me already

[Exit.

Hort. A war, indeed, is threaten'd, nay, expected,

Proclaim'd in Mantua; I find it here,

No foreign, but intestine war: I have
Defied myself, in giving up my reason
A slave to passion, and am led captive
Before the battle's fought: I fainted, when
I only saw mine enemy, and yielded,
Before that I was charged; and, though defeated,
I dare not sue for mercy. Like Ixion,
I look on Juno, feel my heart turn cinders
With an invisible fire; and yet, should she
Deign to appear clothed in a various cloud,
The majesty of the substance is so sacred,
I durst not clasp the shadow. I behold her
With adoration, feast my eye, while all
My other senses starve; and, oft frequenting
The place which she makes happy with her pre-
I never yet had power with tongue or pen [sence,
To move her to compassion, or make known
What 'tis I languish for; yet I must gaze still,
Though it increase my flame :-however, I
Much more than fear I am observ'd, and censured
For bold intrusion.
[Walks by.

The unparallel'd Matilda! some proof of it;
I'll pay for my intelligence. [Gives Asc. money.

Asc. Let me kiss

Your honour's hand; 'twas ever fair, but now
Beyond comparison.

Beat. I guess the reason;

A giving hand is still fair to the receiver.

Asc. Your ladyship's in the right; but to the
purpose.

He is my client, and pays his fees as duly
As ever usurer did, in a bad cause,

To his man of law; and yet I get, and take them
Both easily and honestly: all the service

I do him is, to give him notice when

And where the princess will appear; and that
I hope's no treason. If you miss him, when
She goes to the vesper or the matins, hang me;
Or when she takes the air, be sure to find him
Near her coach, at her going forth, or coming
back;

But if she walk, he's ravish'd. I have seen him
Smell out her footing like a lime-hound, and nose it
From all the rest of her train.

Beat. Yet I ne'er saw him

Present her a petition.

Asc. Nor e'er shall:

He only sees her, sighs, and sacrifices

A tear or two-then vanishes.

Beat. 'Tis most strange :

[of't.

What a sad aspéct he wears! but I'll make use
The princess is much troubled with the threats
That come from Florence; I will bring her to him,
The novelty may afford her sport, and help
To purge deep melancholy. Boy, can you stay
Your client here for the third part of an hour?
I have some ends in't.

Asc. Stay him, madam! fear not :

The present receipt of a round sum of crowns,
And that will draw most gallants from their prayers,
Cannot drag him from me.

Hort. My little friend, good morrow. Hath the Slept well to-night?

Asc. I hear not from her women

One murmur to the contrary.

Hort. Heaven be praised for't!
Does she go to church this morning?
Asc. Troth, I know not;

I keep no key of her devotion, signior.
Hort. Goes she abroad? pray tell me.
Asc. 'Tis thought rather,

She is resolv'd to keep her chamber.
Hort. Ah me!

[princess

Asc. Why do you sigh? if that you have a business

To be dispatch'd in court, shew ready money,
You shall find those that will prefer it for you.
Hort. Business ! can any man have business, but
To see her; then admire her, and pray for her,
She being composed of goodness? for myself,
I find it a degree of happiness

But to be near her, and I think I pay

A strict religious vow, when I behold her;
And that's all my ambition.

Asc. I believe you :

Yet, she being absent, you may spend some hours With profit and delight too. After dinner,

The duke gives audience to a rough ambassador, Whom yet I never saw, nor heard his title, Employ'd from Florence; I'll help you to a place, Where you shall see and hear all.

Hort. "Tis not worth

My observation.

Asc. What think you of

An excellent comedy, to be presented

For his entertainment? he that penn'd it is
The poet of the time, and all the ladies,
(I mean the amorous and learned ones,)
Except the princess, will be there to grace it.

Hort. What's that to me? without her all is
nothing;

The light that shines in court Cimmerian darkness;
I will to bed again, and there contemplate
On her perfections.

Re-enter BEATRICE with MATILDA, and two Waiting

The rising sun with joyful superstition,
I could fall down and worship.-
Like Phoebe breaking through an envious cloud,
Or something which no simile can express,
She shews to me: a reverent fear, but blended
With wonder and amazement, does possess me.
Now glut thyself, my famish'd eye!

Beat. That's he,

An't please your excellence.

1 Wom. Observe his posture,

But with a quarter-look.

2 Wom. Your eye fix'd on him,

Will breed astonishment.

Matil. A comely gentleman!

I would not question your relation, lady,
Yet faintly can believe it. How he eyes me!
Will he not speak?

Beat. Your excellence hath deprived him

Of speech and motion.

Matil. 'Tis most strange.
Asc. These fits

Are usual with him.

Matil. Is it not, Ascanio,

A personated folly! or he a statue ?
If it be, it is a masterpiece; for man

I cannot think him.

Beat. For your sport, vouchsafe him

A little conference.

Matil. In compassion rather:

Asc. Signior! the princess

Commands you to attend her.

Hort. [Returns.] How! the princess! Am I betray'd?

Asc. What a lump of flesh is this!

You are betray'd, sir, to a better fortune

Than you durst ever hope for. What a Tantalus
Do you make yourself! the flying fruit stays for
And the water that you long'd for, rising up [you,
Above your lip, do you refuse to taste it?
Move faster, sluggish camel, or I'll thrust
This goad in your breech: had I such a promising
I should need the reins, not spurs.
[beard,
Matil. You may come nearer.

Why do you shake, sir? If I flatter not
Myself, there's no deformity about me,
Nor any part so monstrous, to beget
An ague in you.

Hort. It proceeds not, madam,
From guilt, but reverence.

Matil. I believe you, sir;

Have you a suit to me?

Hort. Your excellence

Is wondrous fair.

less,)

It should not be return'd with scorn; that were
An inhumanity, which my birth nor honour
Could privilege, were they greater. Now I perceive
He has life and motion in him. To whom, lady,
Pays he that duty?

[HORTENSIO, bowing, offers to go off.

Beat. Sans doubt, to yourself.
Matil. And whither goes he now?
Asc. To his private lodging,

But to what end I know not; this is all

I ever noted in him.

Matil. Call him back :

In pity I stand bound to counsel him,
Howe'er I am denied, though I were willing,
To ease his sufferings.

2 Wom. He's no gentleman,

On my virginity, it is apparent :

My tailor has more boldness; nay, my shoemaker
Will fumble a little further, he could not have
The length of my foot else.

Matil. Only to look on me!
Ends your ambition there?

Hort. It does, great lady,

And that confined too, and at fitting distance :
The fly that plays too near the flame burns in it.
As I behold the sun, the stars, the temples,

I look on you, and wish it were no sin
Should I adore you.

Matil. Come, there's something more in't;
And since that you will make a goddess of me,
As such a one I'll tell you, I desire not