Shall shut our eyes up, say, I made a forfeit
Of what no length of years can once redeem.
Liv. Fine whirls in tame imagination! On, sir;
It is scarce mannerly at such a season,
Such a solemnity (the place and presence
Consider'd) with delights to mix combustions.
Troy. Prepare for free contents, and give 'em

welcome.

A Flourish. Enter OCTAVIO, JULIO, FLAVIA,

ROMANELLO, CAMILLO, and VESPUCCI.

Oct. I dare not study words, or hold a compliment,

For this particular, this special favour.

Jul. Your bounty and your love, my lord, must justly

Engage a thankfulness.

Flav. Indeed,

Varieties of entertainment here

Have so exceeded all account of plenty,
That you have left, great sir, no rarities
Except an equal welcome, which may purchase
Opinion of a common hospitality.

Oct. But for this grace, madam, I will lay open Before your judgments, which I know can rate them,

A cabinet of Jewels, rich and lively,

The world can show none goodlier; those I prize Dear as my life.-Nephew!

Troy. Sir, I obey you.

Flav. Jewels, my lord?

[Exit.

Oct. No stranger's eye e'er view'd them,
Unless your brother Romanello haply
Was woo'd unto a sight, for his approvement;
No more.

Rom. Not I, I do protest: I hope, sir,
You cannot think I am a lapidary;
I, skill in jewels!

Oct. 'Tis a proper quality

For any gentleman; your other friends,
May be, are not so coy.

Jul. Who, they? they know not

A topaz from an opal.

Cam. We are ignorant

In gems which are not common.

Vesp. But his lordship

Is pleased, it seems, to try our ignorance.-
For passage of the time, till they are brought,
Pray look upon a letter lately sent me.
Lord Julio, madam, Romanello, read
A novelty; 'tis written from Bononia.
Fabricio, once a merchant in this city,
Is entered into orders, and received
Amongst the Capuchins, a fellow; news
Which ought not any ways to be unpleasant:"
Certain, I can assure it.

Jul. He at last has

Bestow'd himself upon a glorious service.

6

news

Which ought not any ways to be unpleasant :] The news is satisfac tory enough; but surely it is awkwardly introduced, both as respects the time, and the company.

Rom. Most happy man!-I now forgive the

injuries

Thy former life exposed thee to.

Liv. Turn capuchin!

He! whilst I stand a cypher, and fill up
Only an useless sum to be laid out

In an unthrifty lewdness, that must buy

Both name and riot; oh, my fickle destiny!

[Aside. Rom. Sister, you cannot taste this course but bravely,

But thankfully.

Flav. He's now dead to the world,

And lives to Heaven; a saint's reward reward

him!-

My only loved lord, all your fears are henceforth Confined unto a sweet and happy penance. [Aside.

Re-enter TROYLO, with CASTAMELA, CLARELLA, FLORIA, SILVIA, and MOROSA.

Oct. Behold, I keep my word; these are the jewels

Deserve a treasury; I can be prodigal

Amongst my friends: examine well their lustre, Does it not sparkle! wherefore dwells your silence

In such amazement?

Liv. Patience, keep within me,

Leap not yet rudely into scorn of anger! [Aside. Flav. Beauties incomparable!

Oct. Romanello,

I have been only steward to your pleasures;

You loved this lady once; what say you now to

her?

Cast. I must not court you, sir.

Rom. By no means, fair one;

Enjoy your life of greatness. Sure the spring

Is past, the BOWER OF FANCIES is quite wither'd,
And offer'd like a lottery to be drawn;

I dare not venture for a blank, excuse me.-
Exquisite jewels!

Liv. Hark ye, Troylo.

Troy. Spare me.

Oct. You then renounce all right in Castamela? Say, Romanello.

Rom. Gladly.

Troy. Then I must not:

Thus I embrace mine own, my wife; confirm it Thus-When I fail, my dearest, to deserve thee, Comforts and life shall fail me! 7

Cast. Like vow I,

For my part.

Troy. Livio, now my brother, justly

I have given satisfaction.

Cast. Oh, excuse

Our secrecy; I have been

7

Liv. Much more worthy,

confirm it

Thus-When I fail, &c.] The old copy places the point after it. I have not disturbed the arrangement without some hesitation; but it seems as if Troylo meant to confirm the act of taking possession of his mistress, by imprecating a curse on himself if he proved unworthy of her love.

A better brother, he a better friend
Than my dull brains could fashion.

Rom. Am I cozen'd?

Oct. You are not, Romanello: we examined On what conditions your affections fix'd,

And found them merely courtship; but my nephew Loved with a faith resolv'd, and used his policy To draw the lady into this society,

More freely to discover his sincerity;

Even without Livio's knowledge; thus succeeded And prosper'd:-he's my heir, and she deserv'd him. Jul. Storm not at what is past.

Flav. A fate as happy

May crown you with a full content.

Oct. Whatever

[To Rom.

Report hath talk'd of me abroad, and these, Know they are all my nieces, are the daughters Το my dead only sister; this their guardianess Since they first saw the world: indeed, my mis

tresses

They are, I have none other; how brought up,
Their qualities may speak. Now, Romanello,
And gentlemen, for such I know ye all,

Portions they shall not want, both fit and worthy;
Nor will I look on fortune; if you like,

Court them and win them; here is free access,
In mine own court henceforth: only for thee,
Livio, I wish Clarella were allotted.

8

Liv. Most noble lord, I am struck silent.

thus succeeded, &c.] Meaning,

perhaps, thus he (Troylo) succeeded: if this be not admitted, it will be expedient to read, this succeeded, for thus.