All this is practice, and that both are false: Presume upon their sovereign's clemency. Enter CALANDRINO and PETRONELLA. All. Long live great Cozimo! In the giving vein, they are so loud. Come on, spouse; We have heard all, and we will have our boon too. Cos. What is it? Cal. That your grace, in remembrance of THE MAID OF HONOUR. TO MY MOST HONOURED FRIENDS, SIR FRANCIS FOLJAMBE, KNT. AND BART. AND SIR THOMAS BLAND, KNT. THAT you have been, and continued so for many years, since you vouchsafed to own me, patrons to me and my despised studies, I cannot but with all humble thankfulness acknowledge: and living, as you have done, inseparable in your friendship, (notwithstanding all differences, and suits in law arising between you,) I held it as impertinent as absurd, in the presentment of my service in this kind, to divide you. A free confession of a debt in a meaner man, is the amplest satisfaction to his superiors; and I heartily wish, that the world may take notice, and from myself, that I had not to this time subsisted, but that I was supported by your frequent courtesies and favours. When your more serious occasions will give you leave, you may please to peruse this trifle, and peradventure find something in it that may appear worthy of your protection. Receive it, I beseech you, as a testimony of his duty who, while he lives, resolves to be Truly and sincerely devoted to your service, PHILIP MASSINGER. Ful. If you've a suit, shew water, I am blind else. Ador. A suit; yet of a nature not to prove The quarry that you hawk for: if your words Are not like Indian wares, and every scruple To be weigh'd and rated, one poor syllable, Vouchsafed in answer of a fair demand, Cannot deserve a fee. Ful. It seems you are ignorant, I neither speak nor hold my peace for nothing; Ador. I much thank you. Hath the ambassador audience, sir, to-day? Ast. A gentleman, yet no lord. He hath some drops Of the king's blood, running in his veins, derived Some ten degrees off. His revenue lies In a narrow compass, the king's ear; and yields him Every hour a fruitful harvest. Men may talk Of three crops in a year in the Fortunate Islands, Or profit made by wool; but, while there are suitors, His sheepshearing, nay, shaving to the quick, Is to raise this up, or pull down that; and though Enter BERTOLDO, GASPARO, ANTONIO, and a Servant. Ast. The presence fills. He in the Malta habit Is the natural brother of the king-a by-blow. Ador. I understand you. Gasp. Morrow to my uncle. Bert. 'Tis true. Ant. Pray you, shew us The difference between the city valour, And service in the field. Bert. 'Tis somewhat more Than roaring in a tavern or a brothel, Or to steal a constable from a sleeping watch, And no shirt, (being a thing superfluous, sword Will slash your scarlets and your plush a new way; Ant. And my late guardian :-but at length II The reins in my own hands. Ast. Pray you, use them well, Or you'll too late repent it. Bert. With this jewel Presented to Camiola, prepare, [have This night, a visit for me. [Exit Servant.] I shall have Your company, gallants, I perceive, if that Ant. Sir, I have horses Of the best breed in Naples, fitter far To break a rank than crack a lance; and are, Bert. And such may be useful To run away with, should we be defeated: Ant. Sir, excuse me; All of their race, by instinct, know a coward, And scorn the burthen: they come on, like light Gasp. I must tell you In private, as you are my princely friend, do not like such fiddlers. Bert. No! they are useful For your imitation; I remember you, When you came first to the court, and talk'd of nothing But your rents and your entradas, ever chiming The sovereign means to teach irregular heirs Civility, with conformity of manners, [night [trine Founder'd in a retreat. [ning ; Ant. My lord, this is bitter. Gasp. I will raise me a company of foot; And, when at push of pike I am to enter A breach, to shew my valour, I have bought me An armour cannon-proof. Bert. You will not leap, then, O'er an outwork, in your shirt? Activity that way. Bert. You had rather stand A mark to try their muskets on? No good, I'll do no hurt. Bert. 'Tis in you, signior, Were two or three sound beatings. His own inheritance: but youth, and heat He sought her in a noble way,) to endeavour Rob. Which now proves The seat of his captivity, not triumph : Amb. And yet that justice is To be with mercy temper'd, which heaven's depu ties Stand bound to minister. The injured dutchess, By reason taught, as nature, could not, with [zaga, The reparation of her wrongs, but aim at Our flags of truce hung out in vain: nor will he Bound neither of us further than to aid And so far in my honour I was tied. But since, without our counsel, or allowance, He hath ta'en arms; with his good leave, he must We see, and may avoid. Let other monarchs Of glorious conquests; we, that would be known His living chronicle, and to speak his praise, Rob. Where's your warrant Bert. Here, sir, in my heart: Let sycophants, that feed upon your favours, Of human blessings: I must tell you, sir, And, when we move not forward, we go backward: Gasp. Well urged, my lord. Ant. Perfect what is so well begun. My lord your servant. Rob. Hair-brain'd fool! what reason Canst thou infer, to make this good? Bert. A thousand, Not to be contradicted. But consider Rome, Can yield our numerous fry bread: we must starve, Or eat up one another. Ador. The king hears With much attention. Ast. And seems moved with what Bertoldo hath deliver'd. Bert. May you live long, sir, The king of peace, so you deny not us Must sow and reap their harvest. If examples Putting a girdle round about the world? Dice, cards, or whores. Rouse us, sir, from the sleep Our counsel's built upon so weak a base, O' your master's sufferings, since these gallants, weary Of the happiness of peace, desire to taste No way compell'd by us, they may make trial Bert. We desire no more. Rob. 'Tis well; and, but my grant in this, Assistance from me. Govern, as you please, In purse or person aids thee. Take your fortune : Amb. My prince pays, In me, his duty. Rob. Follow me, Fulgentio, And you, Astutio. [Flourish. Exeunt ROBERTO, FULGENTIO, ASTUTIO, and Attendants. Gasp. What a frown he threw, At his departure, on you! Bert. Let him keep His smiles for his state catamite, I care not. Ant. Shall we aboard to-night? Amb. Your speed, my lord, Doubles the benefit. Bert. I have a business Requires dispatch; some two hours hence I'll meet In practice with a peruked gentleman-usher, Syl. You may, madam, My more than most rare features to your view: A mark of sweet simplicity, ever noted In the family of the Syllis. Therefore, lady, Cam. You are no barber? Syl. Fie, no! not I; but my good parts have drawn More loving hearts out of fair ladies bellies, O' th' strength of my back, though it will bear a With any porter. Cam. I mean not to ride you. [burthen Syl. Nor I your little ladyship, till you have Perform'd the covenants. Be not taken with My pretty spider-fingers, nor my eyes, That twinkle on both sides. Cam. Was there ever such A piece of motley heard of! [A knocking within.] Who's that? [Exit CLARINDA.] You may spare The catalogue of my dangers. Syl. No, good madam; I have not told you half. |