the name of HORTENSIO.

JULIO, his Attendant.

PISANO,

MARTINO,

Captains.

}

Florentine Officers.

Milanese Ambassador.

Doctor.

MATILDA, Daughter to GONZAGA.

BEATRICE, her Waiting-Woman.

MARIA, Daughter to OCTAVIO, disguised as a
Page, and called ASCANΙΟ.
Waiting-Women.

This from our author, far from all offence To abler writers, or the audience

Met here to judge his poem. He, by me,
Presents his service, with such modesty
As well becomes his weakness. 'Tis no crime,
He hopes, as we do, in this curious time,
To be a little diffident, when we are
To please so many with one bill of fare.
Let others, building on their merit, say
You're in the wrong, if you move not that way
Which they prescribe you: as you were bound to
Their maxims, but uncapable to discern [learn

'Twixt truth and falsehood. Our's had rather

be

Censured by some for too much obsequy,
Than tax'd of self opinion. If he hear
That his endeavours thrived, and did appear
Worthy your view, (though made so by your

grace,

With some desert,) he, in another place, Will thankfully report, one leaf of bays Truly conferr'd upon this work, will raise More pleasure in him, you the givers free, Than garlands ravish'd from the virgin tree.

I.

Hort. Honest ones, I know it. I have my bills of exchange, and all provisions, Entrusted to you; you have shewn yourself Just and discreet, what would you more? and yet, To satisfy in some part your curious care, Hear this, and leave me. I desire to be Obscured; and, as I have demean'd myself These six months past in Mantua, I'll continue Unnoted and unknown, and, at the best, Appear no more than a gentleman, and a stranger, That travels for his pleasure.

Jul. Should you get

A captain's place, nay, colonel's, 'twould add little

To what you are; few of your rank will follow

That dangerous profession.

Hort. 'Tis the noblest,

And monarchs honour'd in it: but no more,
On my displeasure.

[Exit.

Jul. Saints and angels guard you!
Hort. A war, indeed, is threaten'd, nay, expected,
From Florence; but it is 'gainst me already
Proclaim'd in Mantua; I find it here,
No foreign, but intestine war: I have
Defied myself, in giving up my reason
A slave to passion, and am led captive
Before the battle's fought I fainted, when
I only saw mine enemy, and yielded,
Before that I was charged; and, though defeated,
I dare not sue for mercy. Like Ixion,
I look on Juno, feel my heart turn cinders
With an invisible fire; and yet, should she
Deign to appear clothed in a various cloud,
The majesty of the substance is so sacred,
I durst not clasp the shadow. I behold her
With adoration, feast my eye, while all

My other senses starve; and, oft frequenting
The place which she makes happy with her pre-
I never yet had power with tongue or pen [sence,
To move her to compassion, or make known
What 'tis I languish for; yet I must gaze still,
Though it increase my flame :-however, I
Much more than fear I am observ'd, and censured
For bold intrusion.

Enter BEATRICE and ASCANIO.

[Walks by.

I'll pay for my intelligence.

Asc. Let me kiss

[Gives Asc.mong.

Your honour's hand; 'twas ever fair, but now
Beyond comparison.

Beat. I guess the reason;

A giving hand is still fair to the receiver.

Asc. Your ladyship's in the right; but to the purpose.

He is my client, and pays his fees as duly
As ever usurer did, in a bad cause,

To his man of law; and yet I get, and take them
Both easily and honestly all the service

I do him is, to give him notice when

And where the princess will appear; and that
I hope's no treason. If you miss him, when
She goes to the vesper or the matins, hang me;
Or when she takes the air, be sure to find him
Near her coach, at her going forth, or coming

back;

What a sad aspéct he wears! but I'll make use
The princess is much troubled with the threats
That come from Florence; I will bring her to him,
The novelty may afford her sport, and help
To purge deep melancholy. Boy, can you stay
Your client here for the third part of an hour?
I have some ends in't.

Asc. Stay him, madam! fear not:
The present receipt of a round sum of crowns,
And that will draw most gallants from their prayers,
Cannot drag him from me.
Beat. See you do.

Asc. Ne'er doubt me.

[Erit.

Yet, she being absent, you may spend some hours

With profit and delight too. After dinner,

Hort. 'Tis not worth

My observation.

Asc. What think you of

An excellent comedy, to be presented
For his entertainment? he that penn'd it is
The poet of the time, and all the ladies,
(I mean the amorous and learned ones,)
Except the princess, will be there to grace it.

Hort. What's that to me? without her all is
nothing;

The light that shines in court Cimmerian darkness;
I will to bed again, and there contemplate
On her perfections.

Re-enter BEATRICE with MATILDA, and two Waiting

women.

Asc. Stay, sir, see! the princess,

Beyond our hopes.

Hort. Take that. [Gives him money.]-As
Moors salute

The rising sun with joyful superstition,
I could fall down and worship. - O my heart!
Like Phœbe breaking through an envious cloud,
Or something which no simile can express,

She shews to me: a reverent fear, but blended
With wonder and amazement, does possess me.
Now glut thyself, my famish'd eye !

Beat. That's he,

An't please your excellence.

1 Wom. Observe his posture,

But with a quarter-look.

2 Wom. Your eye fix'd on him,

Will breed astonishment.

Matil. A comely gentleman !

I would not question your relation, lady,
Yet faintly can believe it. How he eyes me!
Will he not speak ?

Beat. Your excellence hath deprived him
Of speech and motion.

Matil. 'Tis most strange.

Asc. These fits

Are usual with him.

Matil. Is it not, Ascanio,

A personated folly! or he a statue ?
If it be, it is a masterpiece; for man
I cannot think him.

Beat. For your sport, vouchsafe him
A little conference.

Matil. In compassion rather :

For should he love me, as you say, (though hope

less,)

Asc. What a lump of flesh is this!
You are betray'd, sir, to a better fortune

Than you durst ever hope for. What a Tantalus
Do you make yourself! the flying fruit stays for
And the water that you long'd for, rising up [you,
Above your lip, do you refuse to taste it?
Move faster, sluggish camel, or I'll thrust
This goad in your breech: had I such a promising
I should need the reins, not spurs.

Matil. You may come nearer.
Why do you shake, sir? If I flatter not
Myself, there's no deformity about me,
Nor any part so monstrous, to beget
An ague in you.

Hort. It proceeds not, madam,

From guilt, but reverence.

Matil. I believe you, sir;

Have you a suit to me?

Hort. Your excellence

Is wondrous fair.

Matil. I thank your good opinion.

[beard,

Hort. And I beseech you that I may have license

To kneel to you.

Matil. A suit I cannot cross.

Hort. I humbly thank your excellence. [Kneels.
Matil. But what,

As you are prostrate on your knee before me,
Is your petition ?

Hort. I have none, great princess.

Matil. Do you kneel for nothing?

Hort. Yes, I have a suit,

But such a one, as, if denied, will kill me.

Matil. Take comfort: it must be of some strange

Unfitting you to ask, or me to grant,
If I refuse it.

Hort. It is, madam

Matil. Out with't.

[nature,

In grace with ladies.

1 Wom. Or us waiting-women,

If that be your nil ultra.

2 Wom. He's no gentleman, On my virginity, it is apparent :

My tailor has more boldness; nay, my shoemaker
Will fumble a little further, he could not have
The length of my foot else.

Matil. Only to look on me!

Ends your ambition there?

Hort. It does, great lady,

And that confined too, and at fitting distance:
The fly that plays too near the flame burns in it.
As I behold the sun, the stars, the temples,
I look on you, and wish it were no sin
Should I adore you.

Matil. Come, there's something more in't;
And since that you will make a goddess of me,
As such a one I'll tell you, I desire not

The meanest altar raised up to mine honour
To be pull'd down: I can accept from you,
Be your condition ne'er so far beneath me,
One grain of incense with devotion offer'd,
Beyond all perfumes, or Sabæan spices,
By one that proudly thinks he merits in it:
I know you love me.

Hort. Next to heaven, madam,

And with as pure a zeal. That, we behold
With the eyes of contemplation, but can

Arrive no nearer to it in this life;

But when that is divorced, my soul shall serve

And witness my affection.

Matil. Pray you rise;

But wait my further pleasure.

[yours,

[HORT, rises and walks aside.

Enter FARNEZE and UBERTI,

Farn. I'll present you,

And give you proof I am your friend, a true one; And in my pleading for you, teach the age,

That calls, erroneously, friendship but a name, It is a substance. - Madam, I am bold

To trench so far upon your privacy,

As to desire my friend (let not that wrong him, For he's a worthy one) may have the honour To kiss your hand.

Matil. His own worth challenges A greater favour.

Farn. Your acknowledgment Confirms it, madam. If you look on him As he's built up a man, without addition Of fortune's liberal favours, wealth or titles, He doth deserve no usual entertainment: But, as he is a prince, and for your service Hath left fair Parma, that acknowledges No other lord, and, uncompell'd, exposes His person to the dangers of the war, Ready to break in storms upon our heads; In noble thankfulness you may vouchsafe him Nearer respect, and such grace as may nourish, Not kill, his amorous hopes.

Matil. Cousin, you know

I am not the disposer of myself,

The duke my father challenges that power: Yet thus much I dare promise; prince Uberti

Shall find the seed of service that he sows,

Falls not on barren ground.

Uber. For this high favour

I am your creature, and profess I owe you
Whatever I call mine.

Hort. This great lord is

A suitor to the princess.

Asc. True, he is so.

[They walk aside.

Hort. Fame gives him out too for a brave com

mander.

Asc. And in it does him but deserved right; The duke hath made him general of his horse, On that assurance.

Hort. And the lord Farneze,

Pleads for him, as it seems.

Asc. 'Tis too apparent:

And, this consider'd, give me leave to ask

What hope have you, sir?

Hort. I may still look on her,

Howe'er he wear the garland.

Asc. A thin diet,

And will not feed you fat, sir.

Uber. I rejoice,

Rare princess, that you are not to be won

By carpet-courtship, but the sword; with this Steel pen I'll write on Florence' helm how much I can and dare do for you.

Matil. 'Tis not question'd.

Some private business of mine own disposed of,
I'll meet you in the presence.
Uber. Ever your servant.

[Excunt UBERTI and FARNEZE.

Matil. Now, sir, to you. You have observed,

I doubt not,

For lovers are sharp-sighted, to what purpose
This prince solicits me; and yet I am not
So taken with his worth, but that I can
Vouchsafe you further parle. The first command
That I'll impose upon you, is to hear
And follow my good counsel: I am not
Offended that you love me, persist in it,
But love me virtuously; such love may spur you
To noble undertakings, which achieved,

Will raise you into name, preferment, honour: For all which, though you ne'er enjoy my person, (For that's impossible,) you are indebted

To your high aims: visit me when you please,
I do allow it, nor will blush to own you,
So you confine yourself to what you promise,
As my virtuous servant.

Beat. Farewell, sir! you have

An unexpected cordial.

Asc. May it work well!

[Excunt all but HORT.