Part 10

ALV. _Where’s the prodigal your master, sirrah?_ SAN. _Eating acorns amongst swine, draff amongst hogs, and gnawing bones amongst dogs; has lost all his money at dice, his wits with his money, and his honesty with both; for he bum-fiddles me, makes the drawers curvet, pitches the plate over the bar, scores up the vintner’s name in the Ram-head, flirts his wife under the nose, and bids you with a pox send him more money._ ALV. _Art thou one of his curs to bite me too? To nail thee to the earth were to do justice._ SAN. _Here comes Bucephalus my prancing master; nail me now who dares._

_Enter_ RODERIGO (_as_ LORENZO).

ROD. _I sit like an owl[345] in the ivy-bush of a tavern; Hialdo, I have drawn red wine from the vintner’s own hogshead._ SAN. _Here’s two more, pierce them too._ ROD. _Old don, whom I call father, am I thy son? if I be, flesh me with gold, fat me with silver; had I Spain in this hand, and Portugal in this, puff it should fly: where’s the money I sent for?_—I'll tickle you for a rake-hell! [_Aside._ SAN. _Not a marvedi._[346] ALV. _Thou shalt have none of me._ SOTO. _Hold his nose[347] to the grin’stone, my lord._ ROD. _I shall have none?_ ALV. _Charge me a case[348] of pistols; What I have built I'll ruin: shall I suffer A slave to set his foot upon my heart? A son? a barbarous villain! or if heaven save thee Now from my justice, yet my curse pursues thee._ ROD. _Hialdo, carbonado thou the old rogue my father._ SAN. _Whilst you slice into collops the rusty gammon his man there._ ROD. _No money? Can taverns stand without anon, anon?[349] fiddlers live without scraping? taffeta girls look plump without pampering? If you will not lard me with money, give me a ship, furnish me to sea._ ALV. _To have thee hanged for piracy?_ SAN. _Trim, tram, hang master, hang man!_ ROD. _Then send me to the West Indies, buy me some office there._ ALV. _To have thy throat cut for thy quarrelling?_ ROD. _Else send me and my ningle[350] Hialdo to the wars._ SAN. _A match; we’ll fight dog, fight bear._

_Enter_ ANTONIO (_as_ HERNANDO).

ALV.[351] _O dear Hernando, welcome!—Clap wings to your heels,_ [_To_ SOTO. _And pray my worthy friends bestow upon me Their present visitation._[352]— [_Exit_ SOTO. _Lorenzo, see the anger of a father; Although it be as loud and quick as thunder, Yet ’tis done instantly; cast off thy wildness, Be mine, be mine, for I to call thee home Have, with my honour’d friend here Don Hernando, Provided thee a wife._ ROD. _A wife! is she handsome? is she rich? is she fair? is she witty? is she honest? hang honesty! has she a sweet face, cherry-cheek, strawberry-lip, white skin, dainty eye, pretty foot, delicate legs, as there’s a girl now?_ ANT. _It is a creature both for birth and fortunes, And for most excellent graces of the mind, Few like her are in Spain._ ROD. _When shall I see her?— Now, father, pray take your curse off._ ALV. _I do: the lady Lives from Madrill[353] very near fourteen leagues, But thou shalt see her picture._ ROD. _That! that! most ladies in these days are but very fine pictures._

_Enter_ CARLO, JOHN, GUIAMARA, CONSTANZA, _and_ CHRISTIANA (_as friends of_ AVERO).

ALV. _Ladies, to you first welcome; my lords, Alonzo, And you worthy marquis, thanks for these honours.— Away you!_ [_Exit_ SANCHO.[354] _To th' cause now of this meeting. My son Lorenzo, Whose wildness you all know, comes now to th' lure, Sits gently; has call’d home his wandering thoughts, And now will marry._ CONSTI. _A good wife fate send him!_ GUI. _One staid may settle him._ ROD. _Fly to the mark, sir; shew me the wench, or her face, or any thing I may know ’tis a woman fit for me._ ALV. _She is not here herself, but here’s her picture._ [_Shews a picture._ FER. My lord De Carcomo, pray, observe this. FRAN. I do, attentively.—Don Pedro, mark it.

_Re-enter_ SOTO.

SOTO. [_to John_] If you ha' done your part, yonder’s a wench would ha' a bout with you. [_Exit._ JOHN. Me? _Exit._ DIEGO. A wench! [_Exit._ ALV. _Why stand you staring at it? how do you like her?_ ROD. _Are you in earnest?_ ALV. _Yes, sir, in earnest._ ROD. _I am not so hungry after flesh to make the devil a cuckold._ ANT. _Look not upon the face, but on the goodness That dwells within her._ ROD. _Set fire on the tenement!_ ALV. _She’s rich; nobly descended._ ROD. _Did ever nobility look so scurvily?_ ALV. _I'm sunk in fortunes, she may raise us both._ ROD. _Sink let her to her granam! marry a witch? have you fetched a wife for me out of Lapland? an old midwife in a velvet hat were a goddess to this: that a red lip?_ CONSTI. _There’s a red nose._ ROD. _That a yellow hair?_ GUI. _Why, her teeth may be yellow._ ROD. _Where’s the full eye?_ CHRIS. _She has full blabber-cheeks._ ALV. _Set up thy rest, her marriest thou or none._ ROD. _None then: were all the water in the world one sea, all kingdoms one mountain, I would climb on all four up to the top of that hill, and headlong hurl myself into that abyss of waves, ere I would touch the skin of such rough haberdine,[355] for the breath of her picture stinks hither._

_A noise within. Re-enter, in a hurry_, JOHN, DIEGO, SANCHO, _and_ SOTO, _with_ CARDOCHIA.

FER. What tumult’s this? SAN. Murder, murder, murder! SOTO. One of our gipsies is in danger of hanging, hanging! PED. Who is hurt? DIEGO. ’Tis I, my lord, stabbed by this gipsy. JOHN. He struck me first, and I'll not take a blow From any Spaniard breathing. PED. Are you so brave? FER. Break up your play; lock all the doors. DIEGO. I faint, my lord. FRAN. Have him to a surgeon.— [_Servants remove_ DIEGO. How fell they out? CARD. O, my good lord, these gipsies, when they lodg’d At my house, I had a jewel from my pocket Stolen by this villain. JOHN. ’Tis most false, my lords; Her own hands gave it me. CONSTI. She that calls him villain, Or says he stole—— FER. Hoyday! we hear your scolding. CARD. And the hurt gentleman finding it in his bosom, For that he stabb’d him. FER. Hence with all the gipsies! PED. Ruffians and thieves; to prison with ’em all! ALV. My lord, we’ll leave engagements in plate and money For all our safe forthcomings; punish not all For one’s offence; we’ll prove ourselves no thieves. SAN. O Soto, I make buttons![356] SOTO. Would I could make some, and leave this trade! FER. Iron him then, let the rest go free; but stir not One foot out of Madrill.[357] Bring you in your witness. [_Exeunt._ JOHN _in custody of servants_, ALVAREZ, GUIAMARA, CONSTANZA, CHRISTIANA, ANTONIO, CARLO, _and_ CARDOCHIA. SOTO. Prick him with a pin, or pinch him by the elbow; any thing. SAN. My lord Don Pedro, I am your ward; we have spent a little money to get a horrible deal of wit, and now I am weary of it. PED. My runaways turn’d jugglers, fortune-tellers? SOTO. No great fortunes. FER. To prison with ’em both: a gentleman play the ass! SAN. If all gentlemen that play the ass should to prison, you must widen your jails.—Come, Soto, I scorn to beg, set thy foot to mine, and kick at shackles. FER. So, so; away with ’em! SOTO. Send all our company after, and we’ll play there, and be as merry as you here. [_Exeunt._ SANCHO _and_ SOTO _with Servants_. FER. Our comedy turn’d tragical! Please you, lords, walk: This actor here and I must change a word, And I come to you. FRAN. } Well, my lord, your pleasure. PED., _&c._ } [_Exeunt all except_ FERNANDO _and_ RODERIGO. FER. Why, couldst thou think in any base disguise To blind my sight? fathers have eagles' eyes. But pray, sir, why was this done? why, when I thought you Fast lock’d in Salamanca at your study, Leap’d you into a gipsy? ROD. Sir, with your pardon, I shall at fit time to you shew cause for all. FER. Meantime, sir, you have got a trade to live by: Best to turn player; an excellent ruffian, ha! But know, sir, when I had found you out, I gave you This project of set purpose; ’tis all myself; What the old gipsy spake must be my language; Nothing are left me but my offices And thin-fac’d honours; and this very creature, By you so scorn’d, must raise me by your marrying her. ROD. You would not build your glory on my ruins? FER. The rascal has belied the lady, She is not half so bad; all’s one, she’s rich. ROD. O, will you sell[358] the joys of my full youth To dunghill muck? seek out some wretch’s daughter, Whose soul is lost for gold then: you’re more noble Than t' have your son, the top-branch of your house, Grow in a heap of rubbish: I must marry a thing I shall be asham’d to own, asham’d to bring her Before a sunbeam. FER. I cannot help it, sir; Resolve upon’t, and do’t. ROD. And do’t and die! Is there no face in Spain for you to pick out But one to fright me? when you sat the play here, There was a beauty, to be lord of which I would against an army throw defiance. FER. She? alas! ROD. How? she![359] at every hair of hers There hangs a very angel; this! I'm ready To drop down looking at it: sir, I beseech you Bury me in this earth [_kneels_], on which I'm humbled To beg your blessing on me, for a gipsy, Rather than—O, I know not what to term it! Pray, what is that young pensive piece of beauty? Your voice for her; I ey’d her all the scene. FER. I saw you did. ROD. Methought ’twas a sweet creature. FER. Well, though my present state stands now on ice, I'll let it crack and fall rather than bar thee Of thy content; this lady shall go by then. ROD. Hang let her there, or any where! FER. That young lannard,[360] Whom you have such a mind to, if you can whistle her To come to fist, make trial; play the young falconer; I will nor mar your marriage nor yet make; Beauty, no wealth,—wealth, ugliness,—which you will, take. ROD. I thank you, sir. [_Exit_ FERNANDO.]—Put on your mask, good madam, [_To the picture._ The sun will spoil your face else. [_Exit._

ACT V. SCENE I.

_A room in_ FERNANDO’S _house_.

FERNANDO, FRANCISCO, PEDRO, RODERIGO, CLARA, _and_ MARIA, _pass over the stage from church: as the others exeunt_, FERNANDO _stays_ RODERIGO.

FER. Thou hast now the wife of thy desires. ROD. Sir, I have, And in her every blessing that makes life Loath to be parted with. FER. Noble she is, And fair; has to enrich her blood and beauty, Plenty of wit, discourse, behaviour, carriage. ROD. I owe you duty for a double birth, Being in this happiness begot again, Without which I had been a man of wretchedness. FER. Then henceforth, boy, learn to obey thy fate; ’Tis fallen upon thee; know it, and embrace it; Thy wife’s a wanton. ROD. A wanton? FER. Examine through the progress of thy youth What capital sin,[361] what great one ’tis, for ’tis A great one, thou’st committed. ROD. I a great one? FER. Else heaven is not so wrathful to pour on thee A misery so full of bitterness: I am thy father; think on’t, and be just; Come, do not dally. ROD. Pray, my lord—— FER. Fool, ’twere Impossible that justice should rain down In such a frightful horror without cause. Sir, I will know it; rather blush thou didst An act thou dar’st not name, than that it has A name to be known by. ROD. Turn from me then, And as my guilt sighs out this monster,—rape, O, do not lend an ear! FER. Rape? fearful! ROD. Hence, Hence springs my due reward. FER. Thou’rt none of mine, Or if thou be’st, thou dost belie the stamp[362] Of thy nativity. ROD. Forgive me! FER. Had she, Poor wrongèd soul, whoe’er she was, no friend, Nor father, to revenge? had she no tongue To roar her injuries? ROD. Alas, I know her not! FER. Peace! thou wilt blaze a sin beyond all precedent: Young man, thou shouldst have married her; the devil Of lust that riots in thy eye should there Have let fall[363] love and pity, not on this stranger Whom thou hast doted on. ROD. O, had I married her, I had been then the happiest man alive!

_Re-enter_ CLARA, MARIA, _and_ PEDRO, _from behind the arras_.

CLA. As I the happiest woman, being married: Look on me, sir. PED. You shall not find a change So full of fears as your most noble father, In his wise trial, urg’d. MAR. Indeed you shall not, The forfeit of her shame shall be her pawn. ROD. Why, pray, d’ye mock my sorrows? now, O, now, My horrors flow[364] about me! FER. No, thy comforts, Thy blessings, Roderigo. CLA. By this crucifix [_Shewing crucifix._ You may remember me. ROD. Ha! art thou That lady wrongèd? CLA. I was, but now am Righted in noble satisfaction. ROD. How can I turn mine eyes, and not behold On every side my shame! FER. No more: hereafter We shall have time to talk at large of all: Love her that’s now thine own; do, Roderigo; She’s far from what I character’d. CLA. My care Shall live about me to deserve your love. ROD. Excellent Clara!—Fathers both, and mother, I will redeem my fault. FER. } PED. } Our blessings dwell on ye! MAR. }

_Re-enter_ FRANCISCO _with_ LOUIS.

LOUIS. Married to Roderigo? FRAN. Judge yourself; See where they are. [_Exit._ LOUIS. Is this your husband, lady? CLA. He is, sir: heaven’s great hand, that on record Fore-points the equal union of all hearts, Long since decreed what this day hath been perfected. LOUIS. ’Tis well then; I am free, it seems. CLA. Make smooth, My lord, those clouds, which on your brow deliver Emblems of storm;[365] I will, as far as honour May privilege, deserve a noble friendship, As you from me deserve a worthy memory. LOUIS. Your husband has prov’d himself a friend [to me], Trusty and tried; he’s welcome, I may say, From the university. ROD. To a new school Of happy knowledge, Louis. LOUIS. Sir, I am[366] Not so poor to put this injury up; The best blood flows within you is the price. ROD. Louis, for this time calm your anger; and if I do not give you noble satisfaction, Call me to what account you please. LOUIS. So, so.—I come for justice t’ye, And you shall grant it. FER. Shall and will. LOUIS. With speed too; My poor friend bleeds the whiles. FER. You shall yourself, Before we part, receive the satisfaction You come for.—Who attends? SERVANT [_within_]. My lord? FER. The prisoner! SERVANT [_within_]. He attends your lordship’s pleasure.

_Enter_ CONSTANZA, GUIAMARA, _and_ ALVAREZ.

LOUIS. What would this girl? Foh, no tricks; get you to your cabin, huswife; We have no ear for ballads. FER. Take her away. CLA. A wondrous lovely[367] creature! CONST. Noble gentlemen, If a poor maid’s, a gipsy-virgin’s tears May soften the hard edge of angry justice, Then grant me gracious hearing; as you’re merciful, I beg my husband’s life! FER. Thy husband’s, little one? CONST. Gentle sir, our plighted troths are chronicled In that white book above which notes the secrets Of every thought and heart; he is my husband, I am his wife. LOUIS. Rather his whore. CONST. Now, trust me, You’re no good man to say so; I am honest, 'Deed, la, I am; a poor soul, that deserves not Such a bad word: were you a better man Than you are, you do me wrong. LOUIS. The toy grows angry! CLA. And it becomes her sweetly; troth, my lord, I pity her. ROD. I thank you, sweet.[368] LOUIS. Your husband, You’ll say, is no thief. CONST. Upon my conscience, He is not. LOUIS. Dares not strike a man. CONST. Unworthily He dares not; but if trod upon, a worm Will turn again. LOUIS. That turning turns your worm Off from the ladder, minion. CONST. Sir, I hope You’re not his judge; you are too young, too choleric, Too passionate; the price of life or death Requires a much more grave consideration Than your years warrant: here sit they,[369] like gods, Upon whose head[s] the reverend badge of time Hath seal’d the proof of wisdom; to these oracles Of riper judgment, lower in my heart [_Kneels._ Than on my knees, I offer up my suit, My lawful suit, which begs they would be gentle To their own fames, their own immortal stories. O, do not think, my lords, compassion thrown On a base low estate, on humble people, Less meritorious than if you had favour’d The faults of great men! and indeed great men Have oftentimes great faults: he whom I plead for Is free; the soul of innocence itself Is not more white:[370] will you pity him? I see it[371] in your eyes, ’tis a sweet sunbeam, Let it shine out; and to adorn your praise, The prayers of the poor shall crown your days, And theirs are sometimes heard.[372] FER. Beshrew the girl, She has almost melted me to tears! LOUIS. Hence, trifler!—Call in my friends![373]—

_Enter_ JOHN, DIEGO, CARDOCHIA, _and Servants_.

What hope of ease? DIEGO. Good hope, but still I smart; The worst is in my pain. LOUIS. The price is high Shall buy thy vengeance: to receive a wound By a base villain’s hand, it mad[den]s me. JOHN. Men subject to th' extremity of law Should carry peace about ’em to their graves; Else, were you nobler than the blood you boast of Could any way, my lord, derive you, know I would return sharp answer to your slanders; But it suffices, I am none of ought Your rage misterms me. LOUIS. None of ’em? no rascal? JOHN. No rascal. LOUIS. Nor no thief? JOHN. Ask her that’s my accuser: could your eyes Pierce through the secrets of her foul desires, You might without a partial judgment look into A woman’s lust and malice. CARD. My good lords, What I have articled against this fellow, I justify for truth. JOHN. On then, no more: This being true she says, I have deserv’d To die. FER. We sit not here to bandy words, But minister [the] law, and that condemns thee For theft unto the gallows. CONST. O my misery! Are you all marble-breasted? are your bosoms Hoop’d round with steel? to cast away a man, More worthy life and honours than a thousand Of such as only pray unto the shadow Of abus’d greatness! JOHN. ’Tis in vain to storm; My fate is here determinèd. CONST. Lost creature, Art thou grown dull too? is my love so cheap That thou court’st thy destruction ’cause I love thee?— My lords, my lords!—Speak, Andrew, prithee, now, Be not so cruel to thyself and me; One word of thine will do’t. FER. Away with him! To-morrow is his day of execution. JOHN. Even when you will. CONST. Stay, man; thou shalt not go, Here are more women yet.—Sweet madam, speak! You, lady, you methinks should have some feeling Of tenderness; you may be touch’d as I am: Troth, were’t your cause, I'd weep with you, and join In earnest suit for one you held so dear. CLA. My lord, pray speak in his behalf. ROD. I would, But dare not; ’tis a fault so clear and manifest. LOUIS. Back with him to his dungeon! JOHN. Heaven can tell I sorrow not to die, but to leave her Who whiles I live is my life’s comforter. [_Exit with Servants._ CARD. Now shall I be reveng’d! [_Aside, and exit with_ DIEGO. CONST. O me unhappy! [_Swoons._ FER. See, the girl falls! Some one look to her. CLA. ’Las, poor maid! GUI. Pretiosa! She does recover: mine honourable lord—— FER. In vain; what is’t? GUI. Be pleas’d to give me private audience; I will discover something shall advantage The noblest of this land. FER. Well, I will hear thee; Bring in the girl. [_Exeunt._ FERNANDO, MARIA, PEDRO, CLARA, RODERIGO, GUIAMARA, _and_ CONSTANZA: ALVAREZ _stays_ LOUIS. LOUIS. Ought with me? what is’t? I care not for thy company, old ruffian; Rascal, art impudent? ALV. To beg your service. LOUIS. Hang yourself! ALV. By your father’s soul, sir, hear me! LOUIS. Despatch! ALV. First promise[374] me you’ll get reprieve For the condemnèd man, and by my art I'll make you master of what your heart on earth Can wish for or desire. LOUIS. Thou liest; thou canst not! ALV. Try me. LOUIS. Do that, and then, as I am noble, I will not only give thy friend his life, But royally reward thee, love thee ever. ALV. I take your word; what would you? LOUIS. If thou mock’st me, 'Twere better thou wert damn’d! ALV. Sir, I am resolute. LOUIS. Resolve me, then, whether the count Alvarez, Who slew my father, be alive or dead? ALV. Is this the mighty matter? the count lives. LOUIS. How? ALV. The count lives. LOUIS. O fate! Now tell me where, And be my better genius. ALV. I can do’t: In Spain ’a lives; more, not far from Madrill,[375] But in disguise, much alter’d. LOUIS. Wonderful scholar! Miracle of artists! Alvarez living? And near Madrill too? now, for heaven’s sake, where? That’s all, and I am thine. ALV. Walk off, my lord, To the next field, you shall know all. LOUIS. Apace, then! I listen to thee with a greedy ear: The miserable and the fortunate Are alike in this, they cannot change their fate. [_Exeunt._

SCENE II.

_A field._[376]

_Enter_ ALVAREZ _and_ LOUIS.