Part 2
VEN. Fool to abundance, sir: I have been witness To the surrenders of a thousand virgins; And not so little I have seen patrimonies wash'd a-pieces, Fruit-fields turn'd into bastards, And in a world of acres Not so much dust due to the heir 'twas left to As would well gravel[24] a petition.
LUS. Fine villain! troth, I like him wondrously: He's e'en shap'd for my purpose. [_Aside._] Then thou know'st I' th' world strange lust?
VEN. O Dutch lust! fulsome lust! Drunken procreation! which begets so many drunkards: Some fathers dread not (gone to bed in wine) to slide from the mother, And cling the daughter-in-law;[25] Some uncles are adulterous with their nieces: Brothers with brothers' wives. O hour of incest! Any kin now, next to the rim o' th' sister,[26] Is man's meat in these days; and in the morning, When they are up and dress'd, and their mask on, Who can perceive this, save that eternal eye, That sees through flesh and all? Well, if anything be damn'd, It will be twelve o'clock at night; that twelve Will never 'scape; It is the Judas of the hours, wherein Honest salvation is betray'd to sin.
LUS. In troth, it is true; but let this talk glide. It is our blood to err, though hell gape wide.[27] Ladies know Lucifer fell, yet still are proud. Now, sir, wert thou as secret as thou'rt subtle, And deeply fathom'd into all estates, I would embrace thee for a near employment; And thou shouldst swell in money, and be able To make lame beggars crouch to thee.
VEN. My lord. Secret! I ne'er had that disease o' th' mother, I praise my father: why are men made close, But to keep thoughts in best? I grant you this, Tell but some women a secret over night, Your doctor may find it in the urinal i' th' morning. But, my lord----
LUS. So thou'rt confirm'd in me, And thus I enter thee. [_Gives him money._
VEN. This Indian devil Will quickly enter any man but a usurer; He prevents that by entering the devil first.
LUS. Attend me. I am past my depth in lust, And I must swim or drown. All my desires Are levell'd at a virgin not far from court, To whom I have convey'd by messenger Many wax'd lines, full of my neatest spirit, And jewels that were able to ravish her Without the help of man; all which and more She (foolish chaste) sent back, the messengers Receiving frowns for answers.
VEN. Possible! 'Tis a rare Phoenix, whoe'er she be. If your desires be such, she so repugnant, In troth, my lord, I'd be reveng'd, and marry her.
LUS. Pish! the dowry of her blood and of her fortunes Are both too mean--good enough to be bad withal. I'm one of that number can defend Marriage as good;[28] yet rather keep a friend. Give me my bed by stealth--there's true delight; What breeds a loathing in't, but night by night!
VEN. A very fine religion!
LUS. Therefore, thus I'll trust thee in the business of my heart; Because I see thee well-experienc'd In this luxurious day, wherein we breathe. Go thou, and with a smooth, enchanting tongue Bewitch her ears, and cosen her of all grace: Enter upon the portico[29] of her soul-- Her honour, which she calls her chastity, And bring it into expense; for honesty Is like a stock of money laid to sleep Which, ne'er so little broke, does never keep.
VEN. You have gi'n 't the tang, i' faith, my lord: Make known the lady to me, and my brain Shall swell with strange invention: I will move it, Till I expire with speaking, and drop down Without a word to save me--but I'll work----
LUS. We thank thee, and will raise thee-- Receive her name; it is the only daughter to Madam Gratiana, the late widow.
VEN. O my sister, my sister! [_Aside._
LUS. Why dost walk aside?
VEN. My lord, I was thinking how I might begin: As thus, O lady--or twenty hundred devices-- Her very bodkin will put a man in.
LUS. Ay, or the wagging of her hair.
VEN. No, that shall put you in, my lord.
LUS. Shall't? why, content. Dost know the daughter, then?
VEN. O, excellent well by sight.
LUS. That was her brother, That did prefer thee to us.
VEN. My lord, I think so; I knew I had seen him somewhere----
LUS. And therefore, prythee, let thy heart to him Be (as a virgin) close.
VEN. O my good lord.
LUS. We may laugh at that simple age within him.
VEN. Ha, ha, ha!
LUS. Himself being made the subtle instrument, To wind up a good fellow.
VEN. That's I, my lord.
LUS. That's thou, To entice and work his sister.
VEN. A pure novice!
LUS. 'Twas finely manag'd.
VEN. Gallantly carried! A pretty perfum'd villain!
LUS. I've bethought me, If she prove chaste still and immovable, Venture upon the mother; and with gifts, As I will furnish thee, begin with her.
VEN. O, fie, fie! that's the wrong end, my lord. 'Tis mere impossible that a mother, by any gifts, should become a bawd to her own daughter!
LUS. Nay, then, I see thou'rt but a puisne In the subtle mystery of a woman. Why, 'tis held now no dainty dish: the name Is so in league with age, that nowadays It does eclipse three quarters of a mother.
VEN. Does it so, my lord? Let me alone, then, to eclipse the fourth.
LUS. Why, well-said--come, I'll furnish thee; but first Swear to be true in all.
VEN. True!
LUS. Nay, but swear.
VEN. Swear?--I hope your honour little doubts my faith.
LUS. Yet, for my humour's sake, 'cause I love swearing----
VEN. 'Cause you love swearing, 'slud, I will.
LUS. Why, enough! Ere long look to be made of better stuff.
VEN. That will do well indeed, my lord.
LUS. Attend me. [_Exit._
VEN. O! Now let me burst. I've eaten noble poison; We are made strange fellows, brother, innocent villains! Wilt not be angry, when thou hear'st on't, think'st thou? I' faith, thou shalt: swear me to foul my sister! Sword, I durst make a promise of him to thee; Thou shalt disheir him; it shall be thine honour. And yet, now angry froth is down in me, It would not prove the meanest policy, In this disguise, to try the faith of both. Another might have had the selfsame office; Some slave that would have wrought effectually, Ay, and perhaps o'erwrought 'em; therefore I, Being thought-travell'd, will apply myself Unto the selfsame form, forget my nature, As if no part about me were kin to 'em, So touch 'em;--though I durst almost for good Venture my lands in heaven upon their blood.[30] [_Exit._
_Enter the discontented_ LORD ANTONIO, _whose wife_ _the Duchess's youngest son ravished: he discovering_ _the body of her dead to certain Lords_ _and_ HIPPOLITO.
ANT. Draw nearer, lords, and be sad witnesses Of a fair comely building newly fall'n, Being falsely undermin'd. Violent rape Has play'd a glorious act: behold, my lords, A sight that strikes man out of me.
PIERO. That virtuous lady!
ANT. President for wives!
HIP. The blush of many women, whose chaste presence Would e'en call shame up to their cheeks, and make Pale wanton sinners have good colours----
ANT. Dead! Her honour first drank poison, and her life, Being fellows in one house, did pledge her honour.
PIERO. O, grief of many!
ANT. I mark'd not this before-- A prayer-book, the pillow to her cheek: This was her rich confection; and another Plac'd in her right hand, with a leaf tuck'd up, Pointing to these words-- _Melius virtute mori, quam per dedecus vivere:_ True and effectual it is indeed.
HIP. My lord, since you invite us to your sorrows, Let's truly taste 'em, that with equal comfort, As to ourselves, we may relieve your wrongs: We have grief too, that yet walks without tongue; _Curæ leves loquuntur, majores stupent._
ANT. You deal with truth, my lord, Lend me but your attentions, and I'll cut Long grief into short words. Last revelling night, When torch-light made an artificial noon About the court, some courtiers in the masque, Putting on better faces than their own, Being full of fraud and flattery--amongst whom The duchess' youngest son (that moth to honour) Fill'd up a room, and with long lust to eat Into my warren,[31] amongst all the ladies Singled out that dear form, who ever liv'd As cold in lust as she is now in death, (Which that step-duchess monster knew too well) And therefore in the height of all the revels, When music was heard loudest, courtiers busiest, And ladies great with laughter--O vicious minute! Unfit but for relation to be spoke of: Then with a face more impudent than his vizard, He harri'd[32] her amidst a throng of panders, That live upon damnation of both kinds, And fed the ravenous vulture of his lust. O death to think on't! She, her honour forc'd, Deem'd it a nobler dowry for her name, To die with poison, than to live with shame.
HIP. A wondrous lady! of rare fire compact; Sh' has made her name an empress by that act.
PIERO. My lord, what judgment follows the offender?
ANT. Faith, none, my lord; it cools, and is deferr'd.
PIERO. Delay the doom for rape!
ANT. O, you must note who 'tis should die, The duchess' son! she'll look to be a saver: "Judgment, in this age, is near kin to favour."
HIP. Nay, then, step forth, thou bribeless officer: [_Draws._ I'll bind you all in steel, to bind you surely; Here let your oaths meet, to be kept and paid, Which else will stick like rust, and shame the blade; Strengthen my vow that if, at the next sitting, Judgment speak all in gold, and spare the blood Of such a serpent e'en before their seats To let his soul out, which long since was found Guilty in heaven--
ALL. We swear it, and will act it.
ANT. Kind gentlemen, I thank you in mine heart.[33]
HIP. 'Twere pity The ruins of so fair a monument Should not be dipp'd in the defacer's blood.
PIERO. Her funeral shall be wealthy; for her name Merits a tomb of pearl. My Lord Antonio, For this time wipe your lady from your eyes; No doubt our grief and yours may one day court it, When we are more familiar with revenge.
ANT. That is my comfort, gentlemen, and I joy In this one happiness above the rest, Which will be call'd a miracle at last That, being an old man, I'd a wife so chaste. [_Exeunt._
FOOTNOTES:
[7] ["There is some confusion in the arrangement of this scene. From the duke, &c., passing over the stage, it should be some open part of the duke's palace; but from the reflections on the _skull_, &c., it would appear to be Vendice's private study. But perhaps it was intended to represent _two_ scenes, one _above_ the other, as was frequently done at the period of this play."--_MS. note in one of the former_ _edits._]
[8] With a skull in his hand. That he has the skull of his mistress is evident from the whole of the scene. He makes use of it afterwards in act iii.--_Collier._
[9] Luxury was the ancient appropriate term for incontinence. Hence this wanton old duke was called a _luxur_. See Mr Collins's note on "Troilus and Cressida," edit. 1778, ix. 166.--_Steevens._
[10] [Old copy, _palsy_.]
[11] [Old copy, _time_.]
[12] This is not a name of the _Lues Venerea_, but a comparison only of it to a _mole_, on account of the effects it sometimes produces in occasioning the loss of hair.--_Pegge._
[13] [Old copy, _unnaturally--e'en_.]
[14] A phrase in common use, signifying to accompany one.
[15] Hitherto [formerly] misprinted _inscription_: _insculption_ is the word in the old quartos.--_Collier._
[16] [Out of place in the mouth of housewives.--_MS. note in one of the former edits._]
[17] The entrances and _exits_ of the various characters are very defectively noticed in the old copies, and Mr Reed accurately supplied most of them.--_Collier._
[18] Tourneur has urged this doctrine at greater length in the second act of his "Atheist's Tragedy," 1612.--_Gilchrist._
[19] She means from the highest to the lowest of her sex. At this time women of the inferior order wore _hats_. See Hollar's "Ornatus Muliebris Anglicanus," 1640.
[20] [Old copy, _honors_.]
[21] "Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride a gallop. _Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in altum._--Claudian. _Il n'est orgueil qui de pauvre enrichi._--Fr. There is no pride to the enriched beggar's. _Il villan nobilitado non conosce il parentado._--Ital. The villain ennobled will not own his kindred or parentage."--[Hazlitt's "Proverbs," 1869, p. 331.]
[22] That part of a ring in which the stone is set.--Johnson's "Dictionary."
[23] [Old copy, _met_]
[24] _i.e._, Sand it, to prevent it from blotting, while the ink was wet.--_Steevens._
[25] _i.e._, compress, embrace her. See Mr Steevens's note on "Macbeth," act v. sc. 5.
[26] That is, no degree of relationship is sufficient to restrain the appetite of lust, scarce that of sister; they even approach to the _rim_ or _verge_ of what is the most prohibited.
[27] The quarto reads, _lowde_.
[28] The quarto reads, _is good_.--_Steevens._
[29] [Old copy, _portion_.]
[30] _Upon their good_ is the misreading of one old copy.--_Collier._
[31] [Old copy, _wearing_.]
[32] To _harry_, Mr Steevens observes, is to use roughly. See note to "Antony and Cleopatra," act iii. sc. 3. See also Fuller's "Church History," lib. x. p. 19.--_Gilchrist._
[33] [Old copy, _ire_.]
ACTUS II, SCÆNA 1.
_Enter_ CASTIZA, _the sister_.
CAS. How hardly shall that maiden be beset, Whose only fortunes are her constant thoughts! That has no other child's part but her honour, That keeps her low and empty in estate; Maids and their honours are like poor beginners; Were not sin rich, there would be fewer sinners; Why had not virtue a revenue? Well, I know the cause, 'twould have impoverish'd hell.
_Enter_ DONDOLO.
How now, Dondolo?
DON. Madonna, there is one as they say, a thing of flesh and blood--a man, I take him by his beard, that would very desirously mouth to mouth with you.
CAS. What's that?
DON. Show his teeth in your company.
CAS. I understand thee not.
DON. Why, speak with you, madonna.
CAS. Why, say so, madman, and cut off a great deal of dirty way; had it not been better spoke in ordinary words, that one would speak with me?
DON. Ha, ha! that's as ordinary as two shillings. I would strive a little to show myself in my place; a gentleman-usher scorns to use the phrase and fancy of a serving-man.
CAS. Yours be your own, sir; go, direct him hither; [_Exit_ DONDOLO. I hope some happy tidings from my brother, That lately travell'd, whom my soul affects. Here he comes.
_Enter_ VENDICE, _her brother, disguised_.
VEN. Lady, the best of wishes to your sex. Fair skins and new gowns.
CAS. O, they shall thank you, sir. Whence this?
VEN. Mighty--O, from a dear and worthy friend;
CAS. From whom?
VEN. The duke's son!
CAS. Receive that. [_A box o' the ear to her brother._ I swore I would put anger in my hand, And pass the virgin limits of my sex,[34] To him that next appear'd in that base office, To be his sin's attorney. Bear to him That figure of my hate upon thy cheek, Whilst 'tis yet hot, and I'll reward thee for't; Tell him my honour shall have a rich name, When several harlots shall share his with shame. Farewell; commend me to him in my hate. [_Exit._
VEN. It is the sweetest box, That e'er my nose came nigh; The finest drawn-work cuff that e'er was worn; I'll love this blow for ever, and this cheek Shall still henceforward take the wall of this. O, I'm above my tongue: most constant sister, In this thou hast right honourable shown; Many are call'd their[35] honour, that have none; Thou art approv'd for ever in my thoughts. It is not in the power of words to taint thee. And yet for the salvation of my oath, As my resolve in that point, I will lay Hard siege unto my mother, though I know A syren's tongue could not bewitch her so. Mass, fitly here she comes! thanks, my disguise-- Madam, good afternoon.
_Enter_ GRATIANA.
GRA. Y' are welcome, sir.
VEN. The next[36] of Italy commends him to you, Our mighty expectation, the duke's son.
GRA. I think myself much honour'd that he pleases To rank me in his thoughts.
VEN. So may you, lady: One that is like to be our sudden duke; The crown gapes for him every tide, and then Commander o'er us all; do but think on him. How bless'd were they, now that could pleasure him-- E'en with anything almost?
GRA. Ay, save their honour.
VEN. Tut, one would let a little of that go too, And ne'er be seen in't--ne'er be seen in't, mark you; I'd wink, and let it go.
GRA. Marry, but I would not.
VEN. Marry, but I would, I hope; I know you would too, If you'd that blood now, which you gave your daughter. To her indeed 'tis this wheel[37] comes about; That man that must be all this, perhaps ere morning, (For his white father does but mould away), Has long desir'd your daughter.
GRA. Desir'd?
VEN. Nay, but hear me, He desires now, that will command hereafter: Therefore be wise. I speak as more a friend To you than him: madam, I know you're poor, And, 'lack the day! There are too many poor ladies already; Why should you wax the number? 'tis despis'd. Live wealthy, rightly understand the world, And chide away that foolish country girl Keeps company with your daughter--Chastity.
GRA. O fie, fie! the riches of the world cannot hire a mother to such a most unnatural task.
VEN. No, but a thousand angels can. [If] men have no power, angels must work you to't: The world descends into such baseborn evils, That forty angels can make fourscore devils. There will be fools still, I perceive--still fools.[38] Would I be poor, dejected, scorn'd of greatness, Swept from the palace, and see others' daughters Spring with the dew o' the court, having mine own So much desir'd and lov'd by the duke's son? No, I would raise my state upon her breast; And call her eyes my tenants; I would count My yearly maintenance upon her cheeks; Take coach upon her lip; and all her parts Should keep men after men, and I would ride In pleasure upon pleasure. You took great pains for her, once when it was; Let her requite it now, though it be but some. You brought her forth: she may well bring you home.
GRA. O heavens! this o'ercomes me!
VEN. Not, I hope, already? [_Aside._
GRA. It is too strong for me; men know that know us, We are so weak their words can overthrow us; He touch'd me nearly, made my virtues bate,[39] When his tongue struck upon my poor estate. [_Aside._
VEN. I e'en quake to proceed, my spirit turns edge. I fear me she's unmother'd; yet I'll venture. "That woman is all male, whom none can enter." [_Aside._ What think you now, lady? speak, are you wiser? What said advancement to you? thus it said: The daughter's fall lifts up the mother's head. Did it not, madam? but I'll swear it does In many places: tut, this age fears no man. "'Tis no shame to be bad, because 'tis common."
GRA. Ay, that's the comfort on't.
VEN. The comfort on't! I keep the best for last--can these persuade you To forget heaven--and---- [_Gives her money._
GRA. Ay, these are they----
VEN. O!
GRA. That enchant our sex. These are The means that govern our affections--that woman Will not be troubled with the mother long, That sees the comfortable shine of you: I blush to think what for your sakes I'll do.
VEN. O sovereign[40] heaven, with thy invisible finger, E'en at this instant turn the precious side Of both mine eyeballs inward, not to see myself.
[_Aside._[41]
GRA. Look you, sir.
VEN. Hollo.
GRA. Let this thank your pains.
VEN. O, you're a kind madam.
GRA. I'll see how I can move.
VEN. Your words will sting.
GRA. If she be still chaste, I'll ne'er call her mine.
VEN. Spoke truer than you meant it.
GRA. Daughter Castiza.
_Enter_ CASTIZA.
CAS. Madam.
VEN. O, she's yonder; Meet her: troops of celestial soldiers guard her heart. Yon dam has devils enough to take her part.
CAS. Madam, what makes yon evil-offic'd man In presence of you?
GRA. Why?
CAS. He lately brought Immodest writing sent from the duke's son, To tempt me to dishonourable act.
GRA. Dishonourable act!--good honourable fool, That wouldst be honest, 'cause thou wouldst be so, Producing no one reason but thy will. And't has a good report, prettily commended, But pray, by whom? poor people, ignorant people; The better sort, I'm sure, cannot abide it. And by what rule should we square out our lives, But by our betters' actions? O, if thou knew'st What 'twere to lose it, thou would never keep it! But there's a cold curse laid upon all maids, Whilst others clip the sun,[42] they clasp the shades. Virginity is paradise lock'd up. You cannot come by yourselves without fee; And 'twas decreed, that man should keep the key! Deny advancement! treasure! the duke's son!
CAS. I cry you mercy! lady, I mistook you! Pray did you see my mother? which way went she?[43] Pray God, I have not lost her.
VEN. Prettily put by! [_Aside._
GRA. Are you as proud to me, as coy to him? Do you not know me now?
CAS. Why, are you she? The world's so chang'd one shape into another, It is a wise child now that knows her mother.
VEN. Most right, i' faith. [_Aside._
GRA. I owe your cheek my hand For that presumption now; but I'll forget it. Come, you shall leave those childish 'haviours, And understand your time. Fortunes flow to you; What, will you be a girl? If all fear'd drowning that spy waves ashore, Gold would grow rich, and all the merchants poor.
CAS. It is a pretty saying of a wicked one; But methinks now it does not show so well Out of your mouth--better in his!
VEN. Faith, bad enough in both, Were I in earnest, as I'll seem no less. [_Aside._ I wonder, lady, your own mother's words Cannot be taken, nor stand in full force. 'Tis honesty you urge; what's honesty? 'Tis but heaven's beggar; and what woman is So foolish to keep honesty, And be not able to keep herself? No, Times are grown wiser, and will keep less charge. A maid that has small portion now intends To break up house, and live upon her friends; How bless'd are you! you have happiness alone; Others must fall to thousands, you to one, Sufficient in himself to make your forehead Dazzle the world with jewels, and petitionary people Start at your presence.
GRA. O, if I were young, I should be ravish'd.
CAS. Ay, to lose your honour!
VEN. 'Slid, how can you lose your honour To deal with my lord's grace? He'll add more honour to it by his title; Your mother will tell you how.
GRA. That I will.