Part 24

_Vir._ Thy discretion In this may answer for me; look on _Naples_ The Countrey where we both were born and bred, _Naples_ the Paradise of _Italy_, As that is of the earth; _Naples_, that was The sweet retreat of all the worthiest _Romans_, When they had shar'd the spoils of the whole world; This flourishing Kingdom, whose inhabitants For wealth and bravery, liv'd like petty Kings, Made subject now to such a tyrannie. As that fair City that receiv'd her name From _Constantine_ the great, now in the power Of barbarous Infidels, may forget her own; To look with pity on our miseries; So far in our calamities we transcend her. For since this _Arragonian_ tyrant, _Ferrand_, Seiz'd on the gover[n]ment, there's nothing left us That we can call our own, but our afflictions.

_Jul._ And hardly those; the Kings strange cruelty, Equals all presidents of tyranny.

_Vir._ Equal say you? He has out-gone, the worst compar'd to him; Nor _Phalaris_, nor _Dionysius_, _Caligula_, nor _Nero_ can be mention'd; They yet as Kings, abus'd their Regal power; This as a Merchant, all the Countreys fat, He wholly does ingross unto himself; Our Oils he buys at his own price, then sells them To us, at dearer rates; our Plate and Jewels, Under a fain'd pretence of publique use, He borrows; which deny'd his instruments force. The Races of our horses he takes from us; Yet keeps them in our pastures; rapes of Matrons, And Virgins, are too frequent; never man Yet thank'd him for a pardon; for Religion, It is a thing he dreams not of.

_Jul._ I have heard, How true it is, I know not; that he sold The Bishoprick of _Tarent_ to a Jew, For thirteen thousand Duckets.

_Vir._ I was present, And saw the money paid; the day would leave me, E'r I could number out his impious actions; Or what the miserable Subject suffers; And can you entertain in such a time, A thought of dalliance? tears, and sighs, and groans, Would better now become you.

_Jul._ They indeed are, The only weapons, our poor Sex can use, When we are injur'd; and they may become us; But for me[n] that were born free men, of Ranck; That would be Registred Fathers of their Countrey; And to have on their Tombs in Golden Letters, The noble stile of Tyrant-killers, written; To weep like fools and Women, and not like wise men. To practise a redress, deserves a name, Which fits not me to give.

_Vir._ Thy grave reproof: If what thou dost desire, were possible To be effected, might well argue it, As wise as loving; but if you consider, With what strong guards this Tyrant is defended: Ruffins, and male-contents drawn from all quarters; That only know, to serve his impious Will; The Cittadels built by him in the neck Of this poor City; the invincible strength, Nature by Art assisted, gave this Castle; And above all his fear; admitting no man To see him, but unarm'd; it being death For any to approach him with a weapon. You must confess, unless our hands were Cannons, To batter down these walls; our weak breath Mines, To blow his Forts up; or our curses lightning, To force a passage to him; and then blast him; Our power is like to yours, and we, like you, Weep our misfortunes.

_Jul._ Walls of Brass resist not A noble undertaking; nor can vice, Raise any Bulwark, to make good the place, Where virtue seeks to enter; then to fall In such a brave attempt, were such an honor That _Brutus_, did he live again, would envy. Were my dead Father in you, and my Brothers; Nay, all the Ancestors I am deriv'd from; As you, in being what you are, are all these. I had rather wear a mourning Garment for you, And should be more proud of my widdowhood; You dying for the freedom of this Countrey; Than if I were assur'd, I should enjoy A perpetuity of life and pleasure With you, the Tyrant living.

_Vir._ Till this minute, I never heard thee speak; O more than woman! And more to be belov'd; can I find out A Cabinet, to lock a secret in, Of equal trust to thee? all doubts, and fears, That scandalize your Sex, be far from me; Thou shalt partake my near and dearest councils, And further them with thine.

_Jul._ I will be faithful.

_Vir._ Know then this day, stand heaven propitious to us, Our liberty begins.

_Jul._ In _Ferrands_ death?

_Vir._ 'Tis plotted love, and strongly, and believe it, For nothing else could do it, 'twas the thought, How to proceed in this design and end it, That made strange my embraces.

_Jul._ Curs'd be she, That's so indulgent to her own delights, That for their satisfaction, would give A stop to such a glorious enterprize: For me, I would not for the world, I had been Guilty of such a crime; go on and prosper. Go on my dearest Lord, I love your Honor Above my life; nay, yours; my prayers go with you; Which I will strengthen with my tears: the wrongs Of this poor Countrey, edge your sword; Oh may it Pierce deep into this Tyrants heart, and then When you return bath'd in his guilty blood; I'll wash you clean with fountains of true joy. But who are your assistants? though I am So covetous of your glory, that I could wish You had no sharer in it. [_Knock._

_Vir._ Be not curious. They come, however you command my bosom, To them I would not have you seen.

_Jul._ I am gone Sir, Be confident; and may my resolution Be present with you. [_Exit._

_Vir._ Such a Masculine spirit, With more than Womans virtues, were a Dower To weigh down a Kings fortune.

_Enter_ Brissonet, Camillo, Ronvere.

_Briss._ Good day to you.

_Cam._ You are an early stirrer.

_Vir._ What new face, Bring you along?

_Ron._ If I stand doubted Sir? As by your looks I guess it: you much injure A man that loves, and truly loves this Countrey, With as much zeal as you doe; one that hates The Prince by whom it suffers, and as deadly; One that dares step as far to gain my freedom, As any he that breaths; that wears a sword As sharp as any's.

_Cam._ Nay, no more comparisons.

_Ron._ What you but whisper, I dare speak aloud, Stood the King by; have means to put in act too What you but coldly plot; if this deserve then Suspition in the best, the boldest, wisest? Pursue your own intents, I'll follow mine; And if I not out-strip you--

_Briss._ Be assur'd Sir, A conscience like this can never be ally'd To treachery.

_Cam._ Who durst speak so much, But one that is like us, a sufferer, And stands as we affected?

_Vir._ You are cozen'd And all undone; every Intelligencer Speaks Treason with like licence; is not this _Ronvere_, that hath for many years been train'd In _Ferrand_'s School, a man in trust and favour, Rewarded too, and highly?

_Cam._ Grant all this, The thought of what he was, being as he is now; A man disgrac'd, and with contempt thrown off; Will spurr him to revenge, as swift as they, That never were in favour.

_Vir._ Poor and childish.

_Briss._ His regiment is cast, that is most certain; And his command in the Castle given away.

_Cam._ That on my knowledge.

_Vir._ Grosser still, what Shepheard Would yield the poor remainder of his Flock, To a known Wolf; though he put on the habit, Of a most faithful dog, and bark like one? As this but only talks.

_Cam._ Yes, he has means too.

_Vir._ I know it to my grief, weak men I know it; To make his peace, if there were any war Between him and his Master, betraying Our innocent lives.

_Ron._ You are too suspitious And I have born too much, beyond my temper, Take your own waies, I'll leave you.

_Vir._ You may stay now; You have enough, and all indeed you fish'd for; But one word Gentlemen: have you discover'd To him alone our plot?

_Briss._ To him and others, that are at his devotion.

_Vir._ Worse and worse: For were he only conscious of our purpose, Though with the breach of Hospitable laws, In my own house, I'de silence him for ever: But what is past my help, is past my care. I have a life to lose.

_Cam._ Have better hopes.

_Ron._ And when you know, with what charge I have further'd Your noble undertaking, you will swear me Another man; the guards I have corrupted: And of the choice of all our noblest youths, Attir'd like Virgins; such as Hermits would Welcome to their sad cells, prepar'd a Maske; As done for the Kings pleasure.

_Vir._ For his safety I rather fear; and as a pageant to Usher our ruine.

_Ron._ We as Torch-bearers Will wait on these, but with such art and cunning; I have conveigh'd sharp poniards in the Wax, That we may pass, though search't through all his guards Without suspition, and in all his glory, Oppress him, and with safety.

_Cam._ 'Tis most strange.

_Vir._ To be effected.

_Ron._ You are doubtful still.

_Briss._ But we resolv'd to follow him, and if you Desist now _Virolet_, we will say 'tis fear, Rather than providence. [_Exeunt._

_Cam._ And so we leave you.

_Enter_ Julian.

_Jul._ To your wise doubts, and to my better counsels; Oh! pardon me my Lord, and trust me too; Let me not like _Cassandra_ prophesie truths, And never be believ'd, before the mischief: I have heard all; know this _Ronvere_ a villain, A villain that hath tempted me, and plotted This for your ruine, only to make way To his hopes in my embraces; at more leisure I will acquaint you, wherefore I conceal'd it To this last minute; if you stay, you are lost, And all prevention too late. I know, And 'tis to me known only, a dark cave Within this house, a part of my poor Dower, Where you may lie conceal'd, as in the center, Till this rough blast be o'r, where there is air, More then to keep in life; _Ferrand_ will find you, So curious his fears are.

_Vir._ 'Tis better fall Than hide my head, now 'twas thine own advice, My friends engag'd too.

_Jul._ You stand further bound, Than to weak men that have betrai'd themselves, Or to my counsel, though then just and loyal: Your phansie hath been good, but not your judgement, In choice of such to side you; will you leap From a steep Tower, because a desperate fool Does it, and trusts the wind to save his hazard? There's more expected from you; all mens eies are fixt On _Virolet_, to help, not hurt them; Make good their hopes and ours, you have sworn often, That you dare credit me; and allow'd me wise Although a woman; even Kings in great actions, Wait opportunity, and so must you, Sir, Or loose your understanding.

_Vir._ Thou art constant; I am uncertain fool, a most blind fool; Be thou my guide.

_Jul._ If I fail to direct you, For torment or reward, when I am wretched, May constancy forsake me.

_Vir._ I've my safety.

Enter _Castruchio_ and _Villio._

_Vil._ Why are you rapt thus?

_Cast._ Peace, thou art a fool.

_Vil._ But if I were a flatterer like your worship, I should be wise and rich too; There are few else that prosper, Bawds excepted, They hold an equal place there.

_Cast._ A shrewd knave; But oh the King, the happy King!

_Vil._ Why happy? In bearing a great burthen.

_Cast._ What bears he, That's born on Princes shoulders?

_Vil._ A Crowns weight, Which sets more heavy on his head, than the Oar Slaves dig out of the Mines, of which 'tis made.

_Cast._ Thou worthily art his fool, to think that heavy That carries him in the air; the reverence due To that most sacred Gold, makes him ador'd, His Footsteps kist, his smiles to raise a begger To a Lords fortune; and when he but frowns, The City quakes.

_Vil._ Or the poor Cuckolds in it, Coxcombs I should say, I am of a fool, Grown a Philosopher, to hear this parasite.

_Cast._ The delicates he is serv'd with see and envy.

_Vil._ I had rather have an Onion with a stomack, Than these without one.

_Cast._ The Celestial Musick, Such as the motion of the eternal sphears [_Still musick._ Yields _Jove_, when he drinks _Nectar_.

_Vil._ Here's a fine knave, yet hath too many fellows.

_Cast._ Then the beauties, That with variety of ch[oy]ce embraces, [_These pass o'r._ Renew his age.

_Vil._ Help him to crouch rather, And the _French_ Cringe, they are excellent Surgeons that way.

_Cast._ O Majesty! let others think of heaven, While I contemplate thee.

_Vil._ This is not _Atheisme_, but Court observance.

_Cast._ Now the God appears, usher'd with earth-quakes.

_Vil._ Base Idolatry. [_Flourish._

_Enter_ Ferrand, _Guard, Women, Servants._

_Fer._ These meats are poisoned, hang The Cooks; no note more on Forfeit of your fingers; do you Envie me a minutes slumber, what are these?

_1 Gu._ The Ladies appointed by your Majesty.

_Fer._ To the purpose, for what appointed?

_1 Gu._ For your graces pleasure.

_Fer._ To suck away the little blood is left me, By my continual cares; I am not apt now, Injoy them first, taste of my Diet once; And your turns serv'd, for fifty Crowns apiece Their Husbands may redeem them.

_Wo._ Great Sir, mercy.

_Fer._ I am deaf, why stare you? is what we command To be disputed, who's this? bring you the dead T' upbraid me to my face?

_Cast._ Hold Emperor; Hold mightiest of Kings, I am thy vassal, Thy footstool that durst not presume to look On thy offended face.

_Fer. Castruchio_ rise.

_Cast._ Let not the lightning of thy eie consume me, Nor hear that musical tongue, in dreadful thunder, That speaks all mercy.

_Vil._ Here's no flattering rogue.

_Cast. Ferrand_, that is the Father of his people, The glory of mankind.

_Fer._ No more, no word more; And while [I] tell my troubles to my self, Be Statues without motion [or] voice, Though to be flatter'd is an itch to greatness, It now offends me.

_Vil._ Here's the happy man; But speak who dares.

_Fer._ When I was innocent; I yet remember I could eat and sleep, Walk unaffrighted, but now terrible to others: My guards cannot keep fear from me It still pursues me; Oh! my wounded conscience, The Bed I would rest in, is stuft with thorns; The grounds strew'd o'r with adders, and with aspicks Where e'r I set my foot, but I am in, And what was got with cruelty, with blood, Must be defended, though this life's a hell, I fear a worse hereafter. Ha!

_Enter_ Ronvere _and Guard._

_Ron._ My Lord.

_Fer._ Welcome _Ronvere_, welcome my golden plummet With which I sound mine enemies depths and angers, Hast thou discover'd?

_Ron._ Al[l] as you could wish Sir, The Plot, and the contrivers; was made one Of the conspiracie.

_Fer._ Is _Virolet_ in?

_Ron._ The head of all, he only scented me: And from his fear, that I plaid false is fled; The rest I have in fetters.

_Fer._ Death and Hell. Next to my mortal foe the pirate _Sesse_, I aim'd at him; he's virtuous, and wise, A lover of his freedom and his Countries Dangerous to such as govern by the sword, And so to me: no tract which way he went, No means to overtake him?

_Ron._ There's some hope left; But with a rough hand, to be seiz'd upon.

_Fer._ What is't?

_Ron._ If any know, or where he is, Or which way he is fled, it is his wife; Her with his Father I have apprehended, And brought among the rest.

_Fer._ 'Twas wisely order'd, Go fetch them in, and let my executioners [_Exit_ Ronvere. Appear in horror with the rack.

_Vil._ I take it Signior, this is no time for you to flatter, Or me to fool in.

_Cast._ Thou art wise in this, let's off, it is unsafe to be near _Jove_. When he begins to thunder.

_Vil._ Good morality. [_Exit._

_Fer._ I that have pierc'd into the hearts of men; Forc'd them to lay open with my looks, Secrets, whose least discovery was death, Will rend for what concerns my life, the fortress, Of a weak womans faith.

_Enter_ Ronvere, _Guard, Executioners, with a Rack,_ Camillo, Brissonet, Pandulfo, Juliana.

_Ca._ What e're we suffer, The weight that loads a Traitors Heart [sit] ever, heavy on thine.

_Briss._ As we are caught by thee, Fall thou by others.

_Ron._ Pish poor fools, your curses will Never reach me.

_Jul._ Now by my _Virolets_ life; Father, this is a glorious stage of murther. Here are fine properties too, and such spectators, As will expect good action, to the life; Let us perform our parts, and we shall live, When these are rotten, would we might begin once; Are you the Master of the company? Troth you are tedious now.

_Fer._ She does deride me.

_Jul._ Thee and thy power, if one poor syllable Could win me an assurance of thy favor, I would not speak it, I desire to be The great example of thy cruelty, To whet which on, know _Ferrand_, I alone Can make discovery, where my _Virolet_ is, Whose life, I know thou aim'st at, but if tortures Compel me to't, may hope of heaven forsake me; I dare thy worst.

_Fer._ Are we contemn'd?

_Jul._ Thou art, Thou and thy Ministers, my life is thine; But in the death[, the] victory shall be mine.

_Pand._ We have such a Mistriss here to teach us courage, That cowards might learn from her.

_Fer._ You are slow; [_Put on the rack._ Begin the Scene thou miserable fool, For so I'll make thee.

_Jul._ 'Tis not in thy reach; I am happy in my sufferings, thou most wretched.

_Fer._ So brave! I'll tame you yet, pluck hard villains; Is she insensible? no sigh nor groan? or is she dead?

_Jul._ No tyrant, though I suffer More than a woman, beyond flesh and blood; 'Tis in a cause so honourable, that I scorn With any sign that may express a sorrow To shew I do repent.

_Fer._ Confess yet, And thou shalt be safe.

_Jul._ 'Tis wrapt up in my soul, From whence thou canst not force it.

_Fer._ I will be Ten daies a killing thee.

_Jul._ Be twenty thousand, My glory lives the longer.

_Ron._ 'Tis a miracle, She tires th' executioners, And me.

_Fer._ Unloose her, I am conquer'd, I must take Some other way; reach her my chair, in honor Of her invincible fortitude.

_Ron._ Will you not Dispatch the rest?

_Fer._ When I seem merciful, Assure thy self _Ronvere_, I am most cruel. Thou wonder of thy Sex, and of this Nation, That hast chang'd my severity to mercy, Not to thy self alone, but to thy people, In which I do include these men, my enemies: Unbind them.

_Pand._ This is strange.

_Fer._ For your intent Against my life, which you dare not denie, I only ask one service.

_Cam._ Above hope.

_Fer._ There rides a Pyrate neer, the Duke of _Sesse_, My enemy and this Countreys, that in bonds Holds my dear friend _Ascanio_: free this friend: Or bring the Pyrats head; besides your pardon, And honor of the action, your reward Is forty thousand Ducates. And because I know that _Virolet_ is as bold as wise, Be he your General, as pledge of your faith, That you will undertake it, let this old man, And this most constant Matron stay with me: Of whom, as of my self, I will be careful; She shall direct you where her Husband is. Make choice of any ship you think most useful. They are rig'd for you. [_Exeunt Guard, with_ Juliana _and_ Pand.

_Bris._ We with joy accept it.

_Cam._ And will proclaim King _Ferrant_ merciful. [_Exeunt._

_Ron._ The mysterie of this, my Lord? or are you Chang'd in your nature?

_Fer._ I'll make thee private to it. The lives of these weak men, and desperate woman, Would no way have secur'd me, had I took them; 'Tis _Virolet_ I aim at; he has power, And knows to hurt. If they encounter _Sesse_, And he prove conqueror, I am assur'd They'll find no mercy: if that they prove victors, I shall recover, with my friend his head I most desire of all men.

_Ron._ Now I have it.

_Fer._ I'll make thee understand the drift of all. So we stand sure, thus much for those that fall. [_Exeunt_.

_Actus Secundus. Scæna Prima_.

_Enter Boateswain and Gunner._

_Boats._ Lay here before the wind; up with your Canvase, And let her work, the wind begins to whistle; Clap all her streamers on, and let her dance, As if she were the Minion of the Ocean. Let her bestride the billows till they roar, And curle their wanton heads. Ho, below there: Ho, ho, within. Lay her North-east, and thrust her missen out, The day grows fair and clear, and the wind courts us. Oh for a lusty sail now, to give chase to.

_Gun._ A stubborn Bark, that wou'd but bear up to us, And change a broadside bravely.

_Boats._ Where's the Duke?

_Gun._ I have not seen him stir to day.

_Boats._ Oh Gunner, What bravery dwells in his age, and what valour! And to his friends, what gentleness and bounty! How long have we been inhabitants at Sea here?

_Gun._ Some fourteen years.

_Boats._ By fourteen lives I swear then, This Element never nourisht such a Pirate; So great, so fearless, and so fortunate, So patient in his want, in Act so valiant. How many sail of well mann'd ships before us, As the _Bonuto_ does the flying Fish, Have we pursued and scour'd, that to outstrip us, They have been fain to hang their very shirts on? What Gallies have we bang'd, and sunk, and taken; Whose only fraughts were fire, and stern defiance? And nothing spoke but Bullet in all these. How like old _Neptune_ have I seen our General Standing i'th' Poop, and tossing his Steel Trident, Commanding both the Sea and Winds to serve him!

_Gun._ His Daughter too, which is the honor Boatswain, Of all her sex; that Martial Maid.

_Boats._ A brave wench.

_Gun._ How oftentimes, a fight being new begun, Has she leap'd down, and took my Linstock from me, And crying, now fly righ[t], and fir'd all my chasers! Then like the Image of the warlike Goddess, Her Target brac'd upon her arm, her sword drawn, And anger in her eies leapt up again, And bravely ha[l]'d the Bark. I have wondred Boatswain, That in a body made so delicate, So soft for sweet embraces, so much fire, And manly soul, not starting at a danger.

_Boats._ Her noble Father got her in his fury, And so she proves a Soldier.

_Gun._ This too I wonder at Taking so many strangers as he does, He uses them with that respect and coolness, Not making prize, but only borrowing What may supply his want: nor that for nothing; But renders back what they may stand in need of, And then parts lovingly: Where, if he take His Countreyman, that should be nearest to him, And stand most free from danger, he sure pays for't: He drowns or hangs the men, ransacks the Bark, Then gives her up a Bonfire to his fortune.