Part 34

GUAR. If you can but dissemble your heart’s griefs now,— Be but a woman so far. LIV. Peace; I'll strive, sir. GUAR. As I can wear my injuries in a smile: Here’s an occasion offer’d, that gives anger Both liberty and safety to perform Things worth the fire it holds, without the fear Of danger or of law; for mischiefs acted Under the privilege of a marriage-triumph, At the Duke’s hasty nuptials, will be thought Things merely accidental, all’s[1106] by chance, Not got of their own natures. LIV. I conceive you, sir, Even to a longing for performance on’t; And here behold some fruits.—[_Kneels to_ HIPPOLITO _and_ ISABELLA.] Forgive me both: What I am now, return’d to sense and judgment, Is not the same rage and distraction Presented lately to you,—that rude form Is gone for ever; I am now myself, That speaks all peace and friendship, and these tears Are the true springs of hearty, penitent sorrow For those foul wrongs which my forgetful fury Slander’d your virtues with: this gentleman Is well resolv’d[1107] now. GUAR. I was never otherwise; I knew, alas, ’twas but your anger spake it, And I ne’er thought on’t more. HIP. [_raising_ LIVIA] Pray, rise, good sister. ISA. Here’s even as sweet amends made for a wrong now, As one that gives a wound, and pays the surgeon; All the smart’s nothing, the great loss of blood, Or time of hindrance: well, I had a mother, I can dissemble too. [_Aside._]—What wrongs have slipt Through anger’s ignorance, aunt, my heart forgives. GUAR. Why, thus[1108] tuneful now! HIP. And what I did, sister, Was all for honour’s cause, which time to come Will approve to you. LIV. Being awak’d to goodness, I understand so much, sir, and praise now The fortune of your arm and of your safety; For by his death you’ve rid me of a sin As costly as e’er woman doated on: 'T has pleas’d the Duke so well too, that, behold, sir, [_Giving paper._ Has sent you here your pardon, which I kiss’d With most affectionate comfort: when ’twas brought, Then was my fit just past; it came so well, methought, To glad my heart. HIP. I see his grace thinks on me. LIV. There’s no talk now but of the preparation For the great marriage. HIP. Does he marry her, then? LIV. With all speed, suddenly, as fast as cost Can be laid on with many thousand hands. This gentleman and I had once a purpose To have honour’d the first marriage of the Duke With an invention of his own; ’twas ready, The pains well past, most of the charge bestow’d on’t, Then came the death of your good mother, niece, And turn’d the glory of it all to black: ’Tis a device would fit these times so well too, Art’s treasury not better: if you’ll join, It shall be done; the cost shall all be mine. HIP. You’ve my voice first; ’twill well approve my thankfulness For the Duke’s love and favour. LIV. What say you, niece? ISA. I am content to make one. GUAR. The plot’s full then; Your pages, madam, will make shift for Cupids. LIV. That will they, sir. GUAR. You’ll play your old part still. LIV. What is it? good troth, I have even forgot it. GUAR. Why, Juno Pronuba, the marriage-goddess. LIV. ’Tis right indeed. GUAR. And you shall play the Nymph, That offers sacrifice to appease her wrath. ISA. Sacrifice, good sir? LIV. Must I be appeas’d then? GUAR. That’s as you list yourself, as you see cause. LIV. Methinks ’twould shew the more state in her deity To be incens’d. ISA. ’Twould; but my sacrifice Shall take a course to appease you;—or I'll fail in’t, And teach a sinful bawd to play a goddess. [_Aside, and exit._ GUAR. For our parts, we’ll not be ambitious, sir: Please you, walk in and see the project drawn, Then take your choice. HIP. I weigh not, so I have one. [_Exeunt._ GUARDIANO _and_ HIPPOLITO. LIV. How much ado have I to restrain fury From breaking into curses! O, how painful ’tis To keep great sorrow smother’d! sure, I think ’Tis harder to dissemble grief than love. Leantio, here the weight of thy loss lies, Which nothing but destruction can suffice. [_Exit._

SCENE III.

_Before the Duke’s Palace._

_Hautboys. Enter the Duke and_ BIANCA _richly attired, attended by Lords, Cardinals, Ladies, and others: as they are passing in great state over the stage, enter the Cardinal meeting them_.

CAR. Cease, cease! religious honours done to sin Disparage virtue’s reverence, and will pull Heaven’s thunder upon Florence: holy ceremonies Were made for sacred uses, not for sinful. Are these the fruits of your repentance, brother? Better it had been you had never sorrow’d, Than to abuse the benefit, and return To worse than where sin left you. Vow’d you then never to keep strumpet more, And are you now so swift in your desires To knit your honours and your life fast to her? Is not sin sure enough to wretched man, But he must bind himself in chains to’t? worse; Must marriage, that immaculate robe of honour, That renders virtue glorious, fair, and fruitful To her great master, be now made the garment Of leprosy and foulness? Is this penitence To sanctify hot lust? what is it otherwise Than worship done to devils? Is this the best Amends that sin can make after her riots? As if a drunkard, to appease heaven’s wrath, Should offer up his surfeit for a sacrifice: If that be comely, then lust’s offerings are On wedlock’s sacred altar. DUKE. Here you’re bitter Without cause, brother; what I vow’d I keep, As safe as you your conscience; and this needs not; I taste more wrath in’t than I do religion, And envy more than goodness: the path now I tread is honest, leads to lawful love, Which virtue in her strictness would not check: I vow’d no more to keep a sensual woman; ’Tis done, I mean to make a lawful wife of her. CAR. He that taught you that craft, Call him not master long, he will undo you; Grow not too cunning for your soul, good brother: Is it enough to use adulterous thefts, And then take sanctuary in marriage? I grant, so long as an offender keeps Close in a privileg’d temple, his life’s safe; But if he ever venture to come out, And so be taken, then he surely dies for’t: So now you’re safe; but when you leave this body, Man’s only privileg’d temple upon earth, In which the guilty soul takes sanctuary, Then you’ll perceive what wrongs chaste vows endure When lust usurps the bed that should be pure. BIAN. Sir, I have read you over all this while In silence, and I find great knowledge in you And severe learning; yet, ’mongst all your virtues I see not charity written, which some call The first-born of religion, and I wonder I cannot see’t in yours: believe it, sir, There is no virtue can be sooner miss’d, Or later welcom’d; it begins the rest, And sets ’em all in order:[1109] heaven and angels Take great delight in a converted sinner; Why should you then, a servant and professor, Differ so much from them? If every woman That commits evil should be therefore kept Back in desires of goodness, how should virtue Be known and honour’d? From a man that’s blind, To take a burning taper ’tis no wrong, He never misses it; but to take light From one that sees, that’s injury and spite. Pray, whether is religion better serv’d, When lives that are licentious are made honest, Than when they still run through a sinful blood? ’Tis nothing virtue’s temples to deface; But build the ruins, there’s a work of grace! DUKE. I kiss thee for that spirit; thou’st prais’d thy wit A modest way.—On, on, there! [_Hautboys. Exeunt all except the Cardinal._ CAR. Lust is bold, And will have vengeance speak ere’t be controll’d. [_Exit._

ACT V. SCENE I.

_A great hall in the Duke’s Palace._

_Enter_ GUARDIANO _and the Ward_.

GUAR. Speak, hast thou any sense of thy abuse? Dost thou know what wrong’s done thee? WARD. I were an ass else; I cannot wash my face but I am feeling on’t. GUAR. Here, take this caltrop[1110] then [_giving caltrop_], convey it secretly Into the place I shew’d you: look you, sir, This is the trap-door to’t. WARD. I know’t of old, uncle, since the last triumph;[1111] here rose up a devil with one eye, I remember, with a company of fireworks at’s tail. GUAR. Prithee, leave squibbing now: mark me, and fail not; But when thou hear’st me give a stamp, down with’t, The villain’s caught then. WARD. If I miss you, hang me: I love to catch a villain, and your stamp[1112] shall go current, I warrant you. But how shall I rise up and let him down too all at one hole? that will be a horrible puzzle. You know I have a part in’t, I play Slander. GUAR. True, but never make you ready for’t. WARD. No? my clothes are bought and all, and a foul fiend’s head, with a long, contumelious tongue i' the chaps on’t, a very fit shape for Slander i' th' out-parishes. GUAR. It shall not come so far; thou understand’st it not. WARD. O, O! GUAR. He shall lie deep enough ere that time, And stick first upon those. WARD. Now I conceive you, guardianer. GUAR. Away! List to the privy stamp, that’s all thy part. WARD. Stamp my horns in a mortar, if I miss you, and give the powder in white wine to sick cuckolds, a very present remedy for the headach. [_Exit._ GUAR. If this should any way miscarry now— As, if the fool be nimble enough, ’tis certain— The pages, that present the swift-wing’d Cupids, Are taught to hit him with their shafts of love, Fitting his part, which I have cunningly poison’d: He cannot ’scape my fury; and those ills Will be laid all on fortune, not our wills; That’s all the sport on’t: for who will imagine That, at the celebration of this night, Any mischance that haps can flow from spite? [_Exit._

_Flourish. Enter above[1113] Duke_, BIANCA, _Lord Cardinal_, FABRICIO, _other Cardinals, and Lords and Ladies in state_.

DUKE. Now, our fair duchess, your delight shall witness How you’re belov’d and honour’d; all the glories Bestow’d upon the gladness of this night Are done for your bright sake. BIAN. I am the more In debt, my lord, to loves and courtesies That offer up themselves so bounteously To do me honour’d grace, without my merit. DUKE. A goodness set in greatness; how it sparkles Afar off, like pure diamonds set in gold! How perfect my desires were, might I witness But a fair noble peace ’twixt your two spirits! The reconcilement would be more sweet to me Than longer life to him that fears to die.— Good sir— CAR. I profess peace, and am content. DUKE. I'll see the seal upon’t, and then ’tis firm. CAR. You shall have all you wish. [_Kisses_ BIANCA. DUKE. I've all indeed now. BIAN. But I've made surer work; this shall not blind me; He that begins so early to reprove, Quickly rid him, or look for little love: Beware a brother’s envy; he’s next heir too. Cardinal, you die this night; the plot’s laid surely; In time of sports death may steal in securely, Then ’tis least thought on; For he that’s most religious, holy friend, Does not at all hours think upon his end; He has his times of frailty, and his thoughts Their transportations too through flesh and blood, For all his zeal, his learning, and his light, As well as we, poor soul, that sin by night. [_Aside._ DUKE [_looking at a paper_]. What’s this, Fabricio? FAB. Marry, my lord, the model Of what’s presented. DUKE. O, we thank their loves.— Sweet duchess, take your seat; list to the argument. [_Reads._ _There is a Nymph, that haunts the woods and springs, In love with two at once, and they with her;_ _Equal it runs; but, to decide these things, The cause to mighty Juno they refer, She being the marriage-goddess: the two lovers They offer sighs, the Nymph a sacrifice, All to please Juno, who by signs discovers How the event shall be; so that strife dies: Then springs a second; for the man refus’d Grows discontent, and, out of love abus’d, He raises Slander up, like a black fiend, To disgrace th' other, which pays him i' th' end._ BIAN. In troth, my lord, a pretty, pleasing argument, And fits th' occasion well: envy and slander Are things soon rais’d against two faithful lovers; But comfort is, they’re not long unrewarded. [_Music._ DUKE. This music shews they’re upon entrance now. BIAN. Then enter all my wishes. [_Aside._

_Enter_ HYMEN _in a yellow robe_, GANYMEDE _in a blue robe powdered with stars, and_ HEBE _in a white robe with golden stars, each bearing a covered cup: they dance a short dance, and then make obeisance to the Duke, &c._

HYM. _To thee, fair bride, Hymen offers up Of nuptial joys this the celestial cup; Taste it, and thou shalt ever find Love in thy bed, peace in thy mind._ BIAN. We’ll taste you, sure; ’twere pity to disgrace So pretty a beginning. [_Takes cup from_ HYMEN, _and drinks_. DUKE. ’Twas spoke nobly. GAN. _Two cups of nectar have we begg’d from Jove; Hebe, give that to innocence, I this to love: Take heed of stumbling more, look to your way; Remember still the_ Via Lactea. [GANYMEDE _and_ HEBE _respectively offer their cups to the Duke and Cardinal, who drink_. HEBE. _Well, Ganymede, you’ve more faults, though not so known; I spill’d one cup, but you’ve filch’d many a one._ HYM. _No more; forbear for Hymen’s sake: In love we met, and so let’s part._[1114] [_Exeunt._ HYMEN, GANYMEDE, _and_ HEBE. DUKE. But, soft; here’s no such persons in the argument As these three, Hymen, Hebe, Ganymede; The actors that this model here discovers Are only four,—Juno, a Nymph, two lovers. BIAN. This is some antimasque[1115] belike, my lord, To entertain time.—Now my peace is perfect, Let sports come on apace. [_Aside._]—Now is their time, my lord: [_Music._ Hark you! you hear from ’em. DUKE. The Nymph indeed!

_Enter two Nymphs, bearing tapers lighted; then_ ISABELLA _as a Nymph, dressed with flowers and garlands, carrying a censer with fire in it: they set the censer and tapers on Juno’s altar with much reverence, singing this ditty in parts_:

_Juno, nuptial goddess, Thou that rul’st o’er coupled bodies, Tiest man to woman, never to forsake her, Thou only powerful marriage-maker, Pity this amaz’d affection! I love both, and both love me; Nor know I where to give rejection, My heart likes so equally, Till thou sett’st right my peace of life, And with thy power conclude this strife._ ISA. _Now, with my thanks, depart you to the springs, I to these wells of love._ [_Exeunt the two Nymphs._]— _Thou sacred goddess And queen of nuptials, daughter to great Saturn, Sister and wife to Jove, imperial Juno, Pity this passionate conflict in my breast, This tedious war ’twixt two affections; Crown me with victory, and my heart’s at peace!_

_Enter_ HIPPOLITO _and_ GUARDIANO _as shepherds_.

HIP. _Make me that happy man, thou mighty goddess!_ GUAR. _But I live most in hope, if truest love_ _Merit the greatest comfort._ ISA. _I love both With such an even and fair affection, I know not which to speak for, which to wish for, Till thou, great arbitress ’twixt lovers' hearts, By thy auspicious grace design the man; Which pity I implore!_ HIP. } _We all implore it!_ GUAR. } ISA. _And after sighs—contrition’s truest odours— I offer to thy powerful deity This precious incense_ [_waving the censer_]; _may it ascend peacefully!_— And if it keep true touch, my good aunt Juno, 'Twill try your immortality ere’t be long: I fear you’ll ne’er get so nigh heaven again, When you’re once down. [_Aside._ [LIVIA _descends, as_ JUNO, _attended by pages as Cupids_. LIV. _Though you and your affections Seem all as dark to our illustrious brightness As night’s inheritance, hell, we pity you, And your requests are granted. You ask signs, They shall be given you; we’ll be gracious to you: He of those twain which we determine for you, Love’s arrows shall wound twice; the later wound Betokens love in age; for so are all Whose love continues firmly all their lifetime Twice wounded at their marriage, else affection Dies when youth ends._—This savour overcomes me! [_Aside._ _Now, for a sign of wealth and golden days, Bright-ey’d prosperity—which all couples love, Ay, and makes love—take that;[1116] our brother Jove Never denies us of his burning treasure To express bounty._ [ISABELLA _falls down and dies_. DUKE. She falls down upon’t; What’s the conceit of that? FAB. As o’erjoy’d belike: Too much prosperity o’erjoys us all, And she has her lapful, it seems, my lord. DUKE. This swerves a little from the argument though: Look you, my lords. [_Shewing paper._ GUAR. All’s fast: now comes my part to tole him hither; Then, with a stamp given, he’s despatch’d as cunningly. [_Aside._ HIP. [_raising the body of_ ISA.] Stark dead! O treachery! cruelly made away! [GUARDIANO _stamps, and falls through a trap-door_. How’s that? FAB. Look, there’s one of the lovers dropt away too! DUKE. Why, sure, this plot’s drawn false; here’s no such thing. LIV. O, I am sick to the death! let me down quickly, This fume is deadly; O, ’t has poison’d me! My subtlety is sped, her art has quitted me; My own ambition pulls me down to ruin. [_Falls down and dies._ HIP. Nay, then, I kiss thy cold lips, and applaud This thy revenge in death. [_Kisses the body of_ ISABELLA. FAB. Look, Juno’s down too! [_Cupids shoot at_ HIPPOLITO. What makes she there? her pride should keep aloft: She was wont to scorn the earth in other shows; Methinks her peacocks' feathers are much pull’d. HIP. O, death runs through my blood, in a wild flame too! Plague of those Cupids! some lay hold on ’em, Let ’em not scape; they’ve spoil’d me, the shaft’s deadly. DUKE. I've lost myself in this quite. HIP. My great lords, We’re all confounded. DUKE. How? HIP. Dead; and I worse. FAB. Dead! my girl dead? I hope My sister Juno has not serv’d me so. HIP. Lust and forgetfulness have[1117] been amongst us, And we are brought to nothing; some blest charity Lend me the speeding pity of his sword, To quench this fire in blood! Leantio’s death Has brought all this upon us—now I taste it— And made us lay plots to confound each other; Th' event so proves it; and man’s understanding Is riper at his fall than all his lifetime. She, in a madness for her lover’s death, Reveal’d a fearful lust in our near bloods, For which I'm punish’d dreadfully and unlook’d for; Prov’d her own ruin too; vengeance met vengeance, Like a set match, as if the plague[s] of sin Had been agreed to meet here altogether: But how her fawning partner fell I reach not, Unless caught by some springe of his own setting,— For, on my pain, he never dream’d of dying; The plot was all his own, and he had cunning Enough to save himself: but' tis the property Of guilty deeds to draw your wise men downward; Therefore the wonder ceases. O, this torment! DUKE. Our guard below there!

_Enter a Lord with a Guard._

LORD. My lord? HIP. Run and meet death then, And cut off time and pain! [_Runs on a sword,[1118] and dies._ LORD. Behold, my lord, Has run his breast upon a weapon’s point! DUKE. Upon the first night of our nuptial honours Destruction play her triumph, and great mischiefs Mask in expected pleasures! ’tis prodigious! They’re things most fearfully ominous; I like ’em not.— Remove these ruin’d bodies from our eyes.

[_The Guard remove the bodies of_ ISABELLA, LIVIA, _and_ HIPPOLITO.

BIAN. Not yet, no change? when falls he to the earth? [_Aside._ LORD. Please but your excellence to peruse that paper, [_Giving paper to the Duke._ Which is a brief confession from the heart Of him that fell first, ere his soul departed; And there the darkness of these deeds speaks plainly, ’Tis the full scope, the manner, and intent: His ward, that ignorantly let him down, Fear put to present flight at the voice of him. BIAN. Nor yet? [_Aside._ DUKE. Read, read, for I am lost in sight and strength! [_Falls._ CAR. My noble brother! BIAN. O, the curse of wretchedness! My deadly hand is faln upon my lord: Destruction, take me to thee! give me way; The pains and plagues of a lost soul upon him That hinders me a moment! DUKE. My heart swells bigger yet; help here, break’t ope! My breast flies open next. [_Dies._ BIAN. O, with the poison That was prepar’d for thee! thee, Cardinal, ’Twas meant for thee. CAR. Poor prince! BIAN. Accursèd error! Give me thy last breath, thou infected bosom, And wrap two spirits in one poison’d vapour! Thus, thus, reward thy murderer, and turn death [_Kisses the dead body of the Duke._ Into a parting kiss! my soul stands ready at my lips, Even vex’d to stay one minute after thee. CAR. The greatest sorrow and astonishment That ever struck the general peace of Florence Dwells in this hour. BIAN. So, my desires are satisfied, I feel death’s power within me: Thou hast prevail’d in something, cursed poison! Though thy chief force was spent in my lord’s bosom; But my deformity in spirit’s more foul, A blemish’d face best fits a leprous soul. What make I here? these are all strangers to me, Not known but by their malice now thou’rt gone, Nor do I seek their pities. [_Drinks from the poisoned cup._[1119] CAR. O restrain Her ignorant, wilful hand! BIAN. Now do; ’tis done. Leantio, now I feel the breach of marriage At my heart-breaking. O, the deadly snares That women set for women, without pity Either to soul or honour! learn by me To know your foes: in this belief I die,— Like our own sex we have no enemy.[1120] LORD. See, my lord, What shift sh’as made to be her own destruction! BIAN. Pride, greatness, honours, beauty, youth, ambition, You must all down together, there’s no help for’t: Yet this my gladness is, that I remove Tasting the same death in a cup of love. [_Dies._ CAR. Sin, what thou art, these ruins shew too piteously: Two kings on one throne cannot sit together, But one must needs down, for his title’s wrong; So where lust reigns, that prince cannot reign long. _Exeunt omnes._

END OF VOL. IV.

LONDON: PRINTED BY LEVEY, ROBSON, AND FRANKLYN, 46 St. Martin’s Lane.

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Footnotes

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# 1:

_Kix_] Or _kex_ is a dry stalk, properly of hemlock. Why this name (which Middleton has used in another play, see vol. ii. p. 4) is given to Sir Oliver, the reader will presently discover.

# 2:

_Dahanna_] Old ed. in _Dram. Pers._, and more than once in the text, “Dahumma.”

# 3:

_virginals_] See note, vol. iii. p. 112.

# 4:

_Yes? you are_, &c.] Was not this speech originally verse, though the present state of the text will not admit of its being arranged as such?

# 5:

_board_] Old ed. “bord”—perhaps a misprint.

# 6:

_I ha'_, &c.] Qy. “Ay, ha’,” &c.? but compare p. 27, l. 13.

# 7:

_bracks_] i. e. breaks.

# 8: