1633 spelling, from EEBO-TCP A01057. Stage directions from that printing are kept.
Enter Annabella aboue.
Anna.
Pleasures farwell, and all yee thriftlesse minutes, Wherein False ioyes haue spun a weary life, To these my Fortunes now I take my leaue. Precious Time, that swiftly rid'st in poast Ouer the world, to finish vp the race Of my last fate; here stay restlesse course, And beare to Ages that are yet vnborne, A wretched woefull woemans Tragedy, My Conscience now stands vp against my lust With dispositions charectred in guilt, Enter Fryar. And tells mee I am lost: Now I confesse, Beauty that cloathes the out-side of the face, Is cursed if it be not eloath'd with grace: Here like a Turtle (mew'd vp in a Cage) Vn-mated, I conuerse with Ayre and walls, And descant on my vild vnhappinesse. O Giouanni, that had the spoyle Of owne vertues and my modest fame, Would hadst beene lesse subiect to those Stars That luckelesse raign'd at my Natiuity: O would the scourge due to my blacke offence Might passe from , that I alone might feele[…] The torment of an vncontrouled flame.
Fry.
What's this I heare?
Anna.
That man, that Blessed Fryar, Who ioynd in Ceremoniall knot my hand To him whose wife I now am; told mee , I troad the path to death, and shewed mee how. But they who sleepe in Lethargies of Lust Hugg[…] their confusion, making Heauen v[…]ius[…], And so did I.
Fry.
Here's Musicke to the soule.
Anna.
Forgiue mee my Good Genius, and this once Be helpfull to my ends; Let some good man Passe this way, to whose trust I may commit This paper double lin'd with teares and blood: Which being granted; here I sadly vow Repentance, and a leauing of that life I long haue dyed in.
Fry.
Lady, Heauen heard you, And by prouidence ordain'd, that I should be his Minister for your behoofe.
Anna.
Ha, what are you?
Fry.
Your brothers friend the Fryar; Glad in my soule that I haue liu'd to heare This free confession twixt your peace and you, What would you or to whom? feare not to speake.
Anna.
Is Heauen so bountifull? then I haue found More fauour then I hop'd; here Holy man—Throwes a letter, Commend mee to my Brother giue him that, That Letter; bid him read it and repent, Tell him that I (imprison'd in my chamber, Bard of all company, euen of My Guardian, Who giues me cause of much suspect) haue time To blush at what past: bidd him be wise, And not beleeue the Friendship of my Lord, I feare much more then I can speake: Good father, The place is dangerous, and spyes are busie, I must breake off—you'le doe't?
Fry.
Be sure I will; And fly with speede—my blessing euer rest With my daughter, liue to dye more blessed. Exit Fry.
Anna.
Thanks to the heauens, who haue prolong'd my breath To this good vse: Now I can welcome Death. Exit.
Enter Soranzo and Vasques.
Vas.
Am I to be beleeu'd now? First, marry a strumpet that cast her selfe away vpon you but to laugh at your hornes? to feast on your disgrace, riott in your vexations, cuckold you in your bride-bed, waste your estate vpon Panders and Bawds?
Soran.
No more, I say no more.
Vas.
A Cuckold is a goodly tame beast my Lord.
Soran.
I am resolu'd; vrge not another word, My thoughts are great, and all as resolute As thunder; in meane time I'le cause our Lady To decke her selfe in all her bridall Robes, Kisse her, and fold her gently in my armes. Begone; yet heare you, are the Bandetti ready To waite in Ambush?
Vas.
Good Sir, trouble not your selfe about other busines, then your owne resolution; remember that time lost cannot be recal'd.
Soran.
With all the cunning words canst, inuite The States of Parma to my Birth-dayes feast, Haste to my Brother riuall and his Father, Entreate them gently, bidd them not to fayle, Bee speedy and returne.
Vas.
Let not your pitty betray you, till my comming backe, Thinke vpon Incest and Cuckoldry.
Soran.
Reuenge is all the Ambition I aspire, To that I'le clime or fall; my blood's on fire.
Exeunt.
Enter Giouanni.
Gio.
Busie opinion is an idle Foole, That as a Schoole-rod keepes a child in awe, Frights the vnexperienc't temper of the mind: So did it mee; who My precious Sister Was married, thought all tast of loue would dye In such a Contract; but I finde no change Of pleasure in this formall law of sports. Shee is still one to mee, and euery kisse As sweet, and as delicious as the first I reap't; when yet the priuiledge of youth Intitled her a Virgine. O the glory Of two vnited hearts like hers and mine! Let Poaring booke-men dreame of other worlds, My world, and all of happinesse is here, And I'de not change it for the best to come, A life of pleasure is Elyzeum. Enter Fryar. Father, you enter on the Iubile Of my retyr'd delights; Now I can tell you, The hell you haue prompted, is nought else But slauish and fond superstitious feare; And I could proue it too—
Fry.
blindnesse slayes , Looke there, writt to .
Giues the Letter.
Gio.
From whom?.
Fry.
Vnrip the seales and see: The blood's yet seething hot, that will Be frozen harder then congeal'd Corrall. Why d'ee change colour sonne?
Gio.
Fore Heauen you make Some petty Deuill factor 'twixt my loue And your relligion-masked sorceries. Where had you this?
Fry.
Conscience youth is sear'd, Else stoope to warning.
Gio.
her hand, I know't; and all written in her blood. She writes I know not what; Death? I'le not feare An armed thunder-bolt aym'd at my heart. Shee writes wee are discouered, […] o[…] dreames Of lowe faint-hearted Cowardise: discouered? The Deuill wee are; which way is't possible? Are wee growne Traytoms to our owne delights? Confusion take such d[…]ge, but forg'd, This is your peeuish chattering weake old man, Now sir, what newes bring you?
Enter Vasques.
Vas.
My Lord, according to his yearely custome keeping this day a Feast in honour of his Birth-day, by mee inuites you ; your worthy Father with the Popes reuerend Nuntio, and other Magni[…]ico's of Parma, haue promis'd their presence, wil[…] please you to be of the number?
Gio.
Yes, tell them I dare come.
Vas.
Dare come?
Gio.
So I sayd; and tell him more I will come.
Vas.
These words are strange to mee.
Gio.
Say I will come.
Vas.
You will not misse?
Gio.
Yet more, I'le come; sir, are you answer'd?
Vas.
So I'le say—my seruice to you[…] Exit Vas.
Fry.
You will […] goe I trust.
Gio.
Not goe? for what?
Fry.
O doe not goe, this feast (I'le gage my life) Is but a plot to trayne you to your ruine, Be rul'd, you sha'not goe.
Gio.
Not goe? stood Death Threatning his armies of confounding plagues, With […]o[…]sts of dangers hot as blazing Starrs, I would be there; not goe? yes and resolue To strike as deepe in slaughter as they all. For I will goe.
Fry.
Goe where wilt, I see The wildnesse of Fare drawes to an end, To a bad fearefull end; I must not stay To know fall, backe to Bononia I With speed will haste, and shun this comming blowe. Parma farwell, would I had neuer knowne , Or ought of ; well Youngman, since no prayer Can make safe, I leaue to despayre. Exit Fry. Despaire or tortures of a thousand hells All's one to mee; I haue set vp my rest. Now, n[…]w, worke serious thoughts on banefull plots Be all a man my soule; let not the Curse Of old prescription rent from mee the gall Of Courage, which inrolls a glorious death. If I must totter like a well-growne Oake, Some vnder shrubs shall in my weighty fall Be crusht to splitts: with me they all shall perish. Exit.
Enter Soranzo, Vasques, and Bandetti.
Soran.
You will not […]ayle, or shrinke in the attempt?
Vas.
I will vndertake for their parts; be sure my Maisters to be bloody enough, and as vnmercifull, as if you were praying vpon a rich booty on the very Mountaines of Liguria; for your pardons trust to my Lord; but for reward you shall trust none but your owne pockets.
Ban. omnes.
Wee'le make a murther.
Soran.
Here's gold, here's more; want nothing, what you do is noble, and an act of braue reuenge. I'le make yee rich Bandetti and all Free.
Omnes.
Liberty, liberty.
Vas.
Hold, take euery man a Vizard; when yee are with drawne, keepe as much silence as you can possibly: you know the watch-word, till which be spoken moue not, but when you heare that, rush in like a stormy-flood; I neede not instruct yee in your owne profession.
Omnes.
No, no, no.
Vas.
In then, your ends are profit and preferment—away.
Exit Bandetti.
Soran.
The guests will all come Vasques?
Vas.
Yes sir, and now let me a little edge your resolution; you see nothing is vnready to this Great worke, but a great mind in you: Call to your remembrance your disgraces, your losse of Honour, Hippolita's blood; and arme your courage in your owne wrongs, so shall you best right those wrongs in vengeance which you may truely call Your owne.
Soran.
well; the lesse I speake, the more I burne, and blood shall quench that flame.
Vas.
Now you begin to turne Italian, this beside, when my young Incest-monger comes, hee wilbe sharpe set on his old bitt: giue him time enough, let him haue your Chamber and bed at liberty; let my Hot Hare haue law he be hunted to his death, that if it be possible, hee may poast to Hell in the very Act of his damnation.
Enter Giouanni.
Soran.
It shall be so; and see as wee would wish, Hee comes himselfe first; welcome my Much-lou'd brother, Now I perceiue you honour me; y'are welcome, But where's my father?
Gio.
With the other States, Attending on the Nuntio of the Pope To waite vpon him ; how's my sister?
Soran.
Like a good huswife scarcely ready yet, Y'are best walke to her chamber.
Gio.
If you will.
Soran.
I must expect my honourable Friends, Good brother get her fort[…].
Gio.
You are busie Sir. Exit Giouanni.
Vas.
Euen as the great Deuill himselfe would haue it, let him goe and glut himselfe in his owne destruction; harke, the Nuncio is at hand; good sir be ready to receiue him.
Florish.
Enter Cardinall, Florio, Donado, Richardetto and Attendants.
Soran.
Most reuerend Lord, this grace made me proud, That you vouchsafe my house; I euer rest Your humble seruant for this Noble Fauour.
Car.
You are our Friend my Lord, […]is holinesse Shall vnderstand, how zealously you honour[…] Saint Peters Vicar in his substitute Our speciall loue to you.
Soran.
Signiors to you My welcome, and my euer best of thanks For this so memorable court[…]sie, Pleaseth your Grace to walke neere?
Car.
My Lord, wee come To celebrate your Feast with Ciuill mirth, […]s ancient custome teacheth: wee will goe.
Soran.
Attend his grace there, Signiors keepe your way.
Exeut
Enter Giouanni and Annabella lying on a bed.
Gio.
What chang'd so soone? your new sprightly Lord[…] Found out a tricke in night-games more then wee Could know in our simplicity? ha! is't so? Or does the fitt come on you, to proue treacherous To your past vowes and oathes?
Anna.
Why should you jeast At my Calamity, without all sence Of the approaching dangers you are in?
Gio.
What danger's halfe so great as reuolt? art a faithlesse sister, else know'st, Malice, or any treachery beside Would stoope to my bent-browes; why I hold Fa[…]e Clasp't in my fist, and could Command the Course Of times eternall motion; hadst beene, One thought more steddy then an ebbing Sea. And what? you'le now be honest, that's resolu'd?
Anna.
Brother, deare brother, know what I haue beene; And know that now there's but a dying time Twixt vs and our Confusion: let's not waste These precious houres in vayne and vselesse speech. Alas, these gay attyres were not put on But to some end; this suddaine solemne Feast Was not ordayn'd to riott in expence: […]hat haue now beene chambred here alone, B[…]rd of my Guardian, or of any else, Am not for nothing at an instant free'd To fresh accesse; be not deceiu'd My Brother, This Banquet is an harbinger of Death To you and mee, resolue your selfe it is, And be prepar'd to welcome it.
Gio.
Well then, The Schoole-men teach that all this Globe of earth Shalbe consum'd to ashes in a minute.
Anna.
So I haue read too.
Gio.
But 'twere somewhat strange To see the Waters burne, could I beleeue This might be true, I could beleeue as well There might be hell or Heauen.
Anna.
That's most certaine.
Gio
A dreame, a dreame; else in this other world Wee should know one another.
Anna.
So wee shall.
Gio.
Haue you heard so?
Anna.
For certaine.
Gio.
But d'ee thinke, That I shall see you there, You looke on mee, May wee kisse one another, Prate or laugh, Or doe as wee doe here?
Anna.
I know not that, But good for the present, what d'ee meane To free your selfe from danger? some way, thinke How to escape; I'me sure the guests are come.
Gio.
Looke vp, looke here; what see you in my face?
Anna.
Distraction and a troubled Countenance.
Gio.
Death and a swift repining wrath—yet looke, What see you in mine eyes?
Anna.
Methinkes you weepe.
Gio.
I doe indeede; these are the funerall teares Shed on your graue, these furrowed vp my cheekes When first I lou'd and knew not how to woe. Faire Annabella, should I here repeate The Story of my life, wee might loose time. Be record all the spirits of the Ayre, And all things else that are; that Day and Night, Earely and late, the tribute which my heart paid to Annabella's sacred loue, been these teares, which are her mourners now: Neuer till now did Nature doe her best, To shew a matchlesse beauty to the world, Which in an instant, it scarse was seene, The jealous Destinies require againe. Pray Annabella, pray; since wee must part, Goe white in soule, to fill a Throne Of Innocence and Sanctity in Heauen. Pray, pray my Sister.
Anna.
Then I see your drift, Yee blessed Angels, guard mee.
Gio.
So say I, Kisse mee; if euer after times should heare Of our fast-knit affections, though perhaps The Lawes of Conscience and of Ci[…]ill vse May iustly blame vs, yet when they but know Our loues, That loue will wipe away that rigour, Which would in other Incests bee abhorr'd. Giue mee your hand; how sweetely Life runne In these well col[…]ured veines! how constantly These Palmes doe promise health! but I could chide With Nature for this Cunning flattery, Kisse mee againe—forgiue mee.
Anna.
With my heart.
Gio.
Farwell.
Anna.
Will you begone?
Gio.
Be darke bright Sunne, And make this mid-day night, that guilt rayes May not behold a deed, will turne their splendour More sooty, then the Poets faigne their Stix. One other kisse my Sister.
Anna.
What meanes this?
Gio.
To saue fame and kill in a kisse. stabs her. Thus dye, and dye by mee, and by my hand, […]enge is mine; Honour loue Command.
Anna.
Oh brother by your hand?
Gio.
When art dead: I'le giue my reasons for't; for to dispute With (euen in death) most louely beauty, Would make mee stagger to performe this act Which I most glory in.
Anna.
Forgiue him Heauen—and me my sinnes, farwell. Brother vnkind, vnkind—mercy great Heauen—oh—oh.
Dyes.
Gio.
Shee's dead, alas good soule; The haplesse Fruite That in her wombe receiu'd its life from mee, had from mee a Cradle and a Graue. I must not dally, this sad Marriage-bed In all her best, bore her aliue and dead. Soranzo mist ayme in this, I haue preuented now reaching plots, And kil'd a Loue, for whose each drop of blood I would haue pawn'd my heart; Fayre Annabella, How ouer-glorious art in wounds, Tryumphing ouer infamy and hate! Shrinke not Couragious hand, stand vp my heart, And boldly act my last, and greater part.
Exit with the Body.
A Banquet.
Enter Cardinall, Florio, Donado, Soranzo, Richardetto, Vasques and attendants; They take their places.
Vas.
Remember Sir what you haue to do, be wise and resolu[…]e.
Soran.
Enough—my heart is fix't, pleaseth Your Grace To taste these Course Confections; though the vse Of such set enterteyments more consists In Custome, then in Cause; yet Reuerend Sir, I am still made your seruant by your presence.
Car.
And wee your Friend.
Soran.
But where's my Brother Giouanni?
Enter Giouanni with at heart vpon his Dagger.
Gio.
Here, here Soranzo; trim'd in ree[…]ing blood, That tryumphs ouer death; proud in the spoyle Of Loue and Vengeance, Fate or all the Powers That guide the motions of immortall Soules Could not preuent mee.
Car.
What meanes this?
Flo.
Sonne Giouanni?
Soran.
Shall I be forestall'd?
Gio.
Be not amaz'd: If your misgiuing hearts Shrinke at an idle sight; what bloodlesse Feare Of Coward passion would haue ceaz'd your sences, Had you beheld the Rape of Life and Beauty Which I haue acted? my sister, oh my sister,
Flo.
Ha! What of her?
Gio.
The Glory of my Deed Darkned the mid-day Sunne, made Noone as Night. You came to feast My Lords with dainty fare, I came to feast too, but I dig'd for food In a much richer Myne then Gold or Stone Of any value ballanc't; a Heart, A Heart my Lords, in which is mine intomb'd, Looke well vpon't; d'ee know't?
Vas.
What strange ridle's this?
Gio.
Annabella's Heart, ; why d'ee startle? I vow hers, this Daggers poynt plow'd vp Her fruitefull wombe, and left to mee the fame Of a most glorious executioner.
Flo.
Why mad-man, art selfe?
Gio.
Yes Father, and that times to come may know, How as my Fate I honoured my reuenge: Li[…]t Father, to your eares I will yeeld vp How much I haue deseru'd to bee your sonne.
Flo.
What is't say'st?
Gio.
Nine Moones haue had their changes, Since I first throughly view'd and truely lou'd Your Daughter and my Sister.
Flo.
How! alas my Lords, hee's a frantick mad-man!
Gio.
Father no; For nine Moneths f[…]ace, in secret I enjoy'd Sweete Annabella's sheetes; Nine Moneths I liu'd A happy Monarch of her heart and her, Soranzo, know'st this; paler cheeke Beares the Confounding print of disgrace, For her too fruitfull wombe too soone bewray'd[…] The happy passage of our stolne delights, And made her Mother to a Child vnborne.
Car.
Incestuous Villaine.
Flo.
Oh his rage belyes him.
Gio.
It does not, the Oracle of truth, I vow it is so.
Soran.
I shall burst with fury, Bring the strumpet forth.
Vas.
I shall Sir. Exit Vas.
Gio.
Doe sir, haue you all no faith To credit yet my Triumphs? here I sweare By all that you call sacred, by the loue I bore my Annabella whil'st she liu'd, These hands haue from her bosome ript this heart. Is't true or no sir?
Enter Vas.
Vas.
most strangely true.
Flo.
Cursed man—haue I liu'd to—
Dyes.
Car.
Hold vp Florio, Monster of Children, see what done, Broake old Fathers heart; is none of you Dares venter on him?
Gio.
Let 'em; oh my Father, How well his death becomes him in his griefes! Why this was done with Courage; now survines None of our house but I, guilt in the blood Of a Fayre sister and a Haplesse Father.
Soran.
Inhamane scorne of men, a thought T'out liue murthers?
Gio.
Yes, I tell yes; For in my fists I beare the twists of life, Soranzo, see this heart which was wiues, Thus I exchange it royally for , And thus and thus, now braue reuenge is mine.
Vas.
I cannot hold any longer; you sir, are you growne insolent in your butcheries? haue at you.
Fight.
Gio.
Come, I am arm'd to meete .
Vas.
No, will it not be yet? if this will not, another shall, Not yet; I shall fitt you —
Vengeance.
Enter Bandetti.
Gio.
Welcome, come more of you what you be, I dare your worst— Oh I can stand no longer, Feeble armes Haue you so soone lost strength.
Vas.
Now, you are welcome Sir, Away my Maisters, all is done, Shift for your selues, your reward is your owne, Shift for your selues.
Ban.
Away, away.
Exeunt Bandetti.
Vas.
How d'ee my Lord, see you this? how is't?
Soran.
Dead; but in death well pleased, that I haue liu'd To see my wrongs reueng'd on that Blacke Deuill. O Vasques, to bosome let mee giue My last of breath, let not that Lecher liue—oh
Dyes.
Vas.
The Reward of peace and rest be with him, My euer dearest Lord and Maister.
Gio.
Whose hand gaue mee this wound?
Vas.
Mine Sir, I was your first man, haue you enough?
Gio.
I thanke , done for me but what I would haue else done on my selfe, ar't sure Lord is dead?
Vas.
Oh Impudent slaue, as sure as I am sure to see the dye,
Car.
Thinke on life and end, and call for mercy.
Gio.
Mercy? why I haue found it in this Iustice.
Car.
Striue yet to cry to Heauen.
Gio.
Oh I bleed fast, Death, art a guest long look't for, I embrace and wouuds; oh my last minute comes. Where I goe, let mee enjoy this grace, Freely to view My Annabella's face.
Dyes.
Do.
Strange Miracle of Iustice!
Car.
Rayse vp the Citty, wee shall be murderedall.
Vas.
You neede not feare, you shall not; this strange taske being ended, I haue paid the Duty to the Sonne, which I haue vowed to the Father.
Car.
Speake wretched Villaine, what incarnate Feind led on to this?
Vas.
Honesty, and pitty of my Maisters wrongs; for know My Lord. I am by birth a Spaniard, brought forth my Countrey in my youth by Lord Soranzo's Father; whom whil'st he liued, I seru'd faithfully; since whose death I haue beene to this man, as I was to him; what I haue done was duty, and I repent nothing, but that the losse of my life had not ransom'd his.
Car.
Say Fellow, know'st any yet vnnam'd Of Counsell in this Incest?
Vas.
Yes, an old woeman, sometimes Guardian to this murthered Lady.
Car.
And what's become of her?
Vas.
Within this Roome shee is, whose eyes after her confession I caus'd to be put out, but kept aliue, to confirme what from Giouanni's owne mouth you haue heard: now My Lord, what I haue done, you may Iudge of, and let your owne wisedome bee a judge in your owne reason.
Car.
Peace; First this woeman chiefe in these effects, My sentence is, that forthwith shee be tane Out of the City, for examples sake, There to be burnt to ashes.
Do.
most iust.
Car.
Be it your charge Donado, see it done.
Do.
I shall.
Vas.
What for mee? if death, welcome, I haue beene honest to the Sonne, as I was to the Father.
Car.
Fellow, for ; since what , was doue Not for selfe, being no Italian, Wee banish for euer, to depart Within three dayes, in this wee doe dispense With grounds of reason not of offence.
Vas.
well; this Conquest is mine, and I reioyce that a Spaniard out-went an Italian in reuenge. Exit Vas.
Car.
Take vp these slaughtered bodies, see them buried, And all the Gold and Iewells, or whatsoeuer, Confiscate by the Canons of the Church, Wee ceaze vpon to the Popes proper vse.
Richar.
Your Graces pardon, thus long I liu'd disguis'd To see the effect of Pride and Lust at once Brought both to shamefull ends.
Car.
What Richardetto whom wee thoughr for dead?
Do.
Sir was it you—
Richar.
Your friend.
Car.
Wee shall haue time To talke at large of all, but neuer yet Incest and Murther haue so strangely met. Of one so young, so rich in Natures store, Who could not say, pitty shee's a Whoore?