THE just ITALIAN.  
Lately presented in the private house at Black Friars  
By his Majesty's Servants.  
LONDON, ¶ Printed by Thomas Harper for john Waterson, and are to be sold at the sign of the Crown, in Paul's Churchyard. 1630.   

TO THE RIGHT Honourable, The Earl of DORSET, &c.  
My Lord,  
THE uncivil ignorance of the People, had deprived this humble work of life; but that your Lordship's approbation, stepped in, to succour it. Those many that came with resolution to dispraise (knowing your Lordship's judgement, to be powerful, above their malice) were either corrected to an understanding, or modesty: And this large benefit, hath betrayed your Lordship to a Dedication. I am bold to believe, fancies of this composure, have been nobly entertained, by the most knowing Princes of the World: The ignorance, that begets the change in this our age, it may become your Lordship's example, to correct, me to lament; if so tame a passion, can possess a Poet, and one, exalted with a hope to be received  
Your Lordship's humble Servant, WILLIAM D'AVENANT.   

To my Friend M. D'AVENANT, on his legitimate Poem.  
EVen so the silly Midas judged of old  
Twixt Pan and great Apollo. As this bold  
Herd, of his race, that th'untuned Pipe admire,  
And hear thy strains, as the dull Ass the Lyre.  
What wonder then, if thou the lawful Son  
Of Phoebus, taste what was to him begun.  
Hence, giddy fools; run to the noise they make  
At Paris-garden; or yourselves betake  
To the new Motion, the fine Puppet plays,  
And there adore. Commend the learned lays  
That make a din about the streets, or else  
Extol the Jew's-trump, or the morris bells.  
These, your great heads may manage. Only let  
The wiser few, (whose blessed ears have met  
The harmony that all the Muses make,  
And from those heavenly sounds assurance take,  
That thou singest the same tunes) admitted be  
To thy seraphic music, and set free  
To entertain their souls in that high choir,  
Which, not weak fools, but such as know, admire.  
Will. Hopkins.   

To my worthy Friend, M. D'AVENANT, Upon his Excellent Play, The Just Italian.  
I'll not misspend in praise, the narrow room  
I borrow in this leaf; the Garlands bloom  
From thine own seeds, that crown each glorious page  
Of thy triumphant work; the sullen Age  
Requires a Satire. What star guides the soul  
Of these our froward times, that dare control,  
Yet dare not learn to judge? When didst thou fly  
From hence, clear, candid Ingenuity?  
I have beheld, when perched on the smooth brow  
Of a fair modest troop, thou didst allow  
Applause to slighter works; but then the weak  
Spectator, gave the knowing leave to speak.  
Now noise prevails, and he is taxed for drought  
Of wit, that with the cry, spends not his mouth.  
Yet ask him, reason why he did not like;  
Him, why he did; their ignorance will strike  
Thy soul with scorn, and Pity: mark the places  
Provoke their smiles, frowns, or distorted faces,  
When, they admire, nod, shake the head: they'll be  
A scene of mirth, a double Comedy.  
But thy strong fancies (raptures of the brain,  
Dressed in Poetic flames) they entertain  
As a bold, impious reach; for they'll still slight  
All that exceeds Red Bull, and Cockpit flight.  
These are the men in crowded heaps that throng  
To that adulterate stage, where not a tongue  
Of th'untuned Kennel, can a line repeat  
Of serious sense: but like lips, meet like meat;  
Whilst the true brood of Actors, that alone  
Keep natural unstrained Action in her throne  
Behold their Benches bare, though they rehearse  
The terser Beaumont's or great Jonson's verse.  
Repine not Thou then, since this churlish fate  
Rules not the stage alone; perhaps the State  
Hath felt this rancour, where men great and good,  
Have by the Rabble been misunderstood.  
So was thy Play; whose clear, yet lofty strain,  
Wisemen, that govern Fate, shall entertain.  
Tho. Carew.   

The Persons presented.  

Altamont The just Italian.  
Florello A cast soldier his brother.  
Mervolle Friend to Altamont.  
Sciolto A young Florentine.  
Rossa Molard Companions to Florello:  
Niente Usher to Altamont's wife.  
Dandolo A Count of Milan.  
Stoccata Punto His Champions.  
Alteza Wife to Altamont.  
Charintha Her sister.  
Scoperta Sister unto Altamont.  
Besognia Woman to Alteza:  
Mutes, &c.   
The Scene Florence.   

THE just ITALIAN.  

Act the first.  

Scene the first.  Enter Mervolle, Altamont. Mervolle. 
THis puzzles my belief: the sickly Moon  
Hath not yet twice expired her usual 〈◊〉  
Since you did mingle Souls, and can 〈◊〉  
That she so soon recoils from grace  
Harmonious quiet of your bed?  Altamont. 
My Dear  
Mervolle she is lost: As well may I  
Collect the scattered winds into a bag,  
Or from the watery surface scrape the gilt  
Reflections of the Sun, as bring her heart  
Within the quiet list of wives that will  
Obey and love.  Mervolle. 
Can the Duke (her Uncle)  
Give an encouragement to her revolt,  
Maintain the females Charter 'gainst the male?  Altamont. 
Him, and his supreme title she still 〈◊〉  
To justify the glory of her birth,  
And then recites the Villages and wealth,  
She brought to me for dowry, in parallel  
With what I formerly possessed, she doth  
Affront my memory with stories of  
My lean and niggard fate, and urging then  
Her vast supplies, doth challenge leave to call  
Her pride and rigour just.  Mervolle. 
This grief is of  
Sad quality!  Altamont. 
The heart hangs heavy on  
The strings, when it alone contains the cause  
And knowledge of its weight: for troubled winds  
In their dispersion lose their strength; so griefs,  
Whilst theyare revealed, diminish from themselves.  
But the calamities, that do perplex  
The Nuptial bed, are of a property  
Recluse, and must be hidden even from friends:  
For on such secrets Fame doth feed with fierce,  
And meager appetite, and as swift Fame  
Doth travail with them, they increase. So much  
Commerce I have with humane Arts, that I  
Can steep my Gall in my own tears; and make  
That salt which she intended bitter; Show  
Her crime to spring, not from poisoned malice,  
But from the feminine mistakes of wit:  
For modern Courts now preach, wit doth reside  
In ladies' subtle riots, and their pride.  Enter Florello, Rossa, Molard: in soldierly mean habits. Mervolle. 
Behold your brother (sir) whose safe return,  
This morn I mentioned to your ear—  Altamont. 
Thy growth  
Hath so o'erreached my sight, that I'm estranged  
To my best blood: and but, thy figure in  
My heart I wear (by which my memory's  
Informed) I should not know I had thee here—  Florello. 
I reckon this the chief delight I have  
Received on Earth. And (sir) your love is of  
Such sovereign quality, a little soon  
Will overcharge my sense. Give but a part  
To me, the rest confer upon my friends—  
Who, though in withered habits, do deserve,  
Society with Kings: for never yet,  
Did bolder Soldiers listen to the Drum.  Altamont. 
Gentlemen, ye shall enrich my knowledge—  Rossa: 
Noble Signior, unprofitable love  
Is all our wealth—  Molard. 
But we'll contrive ourselves  
For your best use.—  Florello. 
I've said, consider them  
Within; their weeds are overgrown and cheap.  Altamont. 
Brother( howe'er wise fate may answer it)  
methinks, these your own robes are not o'th' right  
Tyrian die; nor hath the rich weight of your  
Tall Plume the ostrich robbed of both her wings.  Florello. 
even thus (sir) poor, and with small victory  
Am I returned from our cast Troops. Our pay  
Rests in Areres, and Pisa's lost: But you  
(I hear) have found a jewel, that contains  
All price and lustre; and you do wear it  
In your bosom: (a noble wife) whose birth  
And beauty, are alike unvalued as  
Her dowry. This I encountered on  
The Lips of Fame; and I made haste to share  
In your success, and put your bounty to  
The test.  Altamont. 
Florello, I have lost my sleep.  
Things differ much from the sincerity  
Of their first growth: Alteza hath forgot  
Th'allegiance of a wife, she doth practise  
How with her riot to impoverish States,  
And by her lofty pride, to justify  
The immortality of flesh: This Theme  
Is sad; but I will give you cause t'expect  
The utmost strength and power of my relief.  Florello. 
You teach my feeble wants a confidence.  Altamont. 
If you a while obscure yourself (for fear  
Your poverty increase her scorn) you shall  
Perform a rational request. Our young  
Fair Sister, is concealed for the same cause.  Florello. 
Your mention doth anticipate my love.  
Is our fair Sister well?  Altamont. 
she doth enjoy  
Rare beauty, and much health.  Mervolle. 
I hear your wife.  Alta. 
You and your friends, move back, and be not seen.  Enter Alteza, Charintha, Niente. Alteza. 
Try Signior Allidore, Antonio's son:  
Utruvio, or the rich Pirracco.  
Gritalin, or old Contarini of  
Placentia—  Niente. 
Madam, your husband hath  
Protested 'gainst your credit, even to these.  Alte. 
Slave, go force an answer more delightful.  Niente. 
I obey you Madam. exit.  Alteza. 
Is't come to this?  
I'll be a crooked Spinster first, and with  
My spital and my flax procure my bread.  Altamont. 
What is the cause my Princess thus delights  
In frowns? Anger sits on her brow like age.  Alteza. 
Hence, I see thee, and my eyes shrink into  
My skull: the raven's not so ominous and black.  Altamont. 
Yet urge the cause (my Love) why your  
Defiance is so violent and loud?  Alte. 
A Millainois showed me today for sale,  
Bright and spacious jewels; but in the dark,  
Your pusill malice hath betrayed my faith,  
With Merchants. You have now my credit wrought  
So low, and cheap; I cannot stand deposed  
For th'trivial loan of forty thousand crowns.  Altamont. 
I would survey a list of all your wants,  
That I may so have power to hasten the  
Redress: Do you dislike your properties  
Of house, your Vestments, or service of your  
Table; Give but a name unto thy wish?  Alteza. 
I would have my Orchard— paved with Agates.  Altamont. 
O, and your garden walls raised high, t'hedge in  
paraquitoes, and th'rhetorical Daw?  Altera. 
Thou hast a rude heart, and a blistered tongue!  Charintha. 
Well, the first day of your conjunction Sir,  
I little thought you would have used her thus.  Mervolle. 
Charintha's become her sister's Pupil.  Florello. 
And I perceive a masculine itch beneath  
Her left eye; she longs to taste man.  Altamont. 
Come Love,  
Be gentle as thy bridal smiles: for by  
thyself I swear, my speech did purpose nought,  
To tempt thy spleen. Lend me thy melting hand!  Alte. 
There— 'tis to reach back the heart I gave ye—  Altamont. 
You spirits that secure the property  
Of humane love, be still official here!  
Why should we not for ever thus remain,  
Incorporate, and conjoined. 'tis sympathy,  
And love, that gives the world continuance  
And life. Each species Love preserves. 'tis love  
That makes th'eternal Wisdom thus forbear  
The silly crimes of dull humanity:  
And suffers us, like each delighted fly,  
To play the trivial wantons in his eye.  Alteza. 
You preach of love, but your obedience would  
More pleasure me.  Altamont. 
This argues thy revolt!  
And is a stratagem against nature.  
Thou wouldst usurp the Charter of the male,  
'tis my confession, that thy dowry was vast  
And opulent, and such as may support  
Thy titles, and thy birth, with all the pride  
And cunning of magnificence. Let my  
Sincere phrase instruct thy heart. Reassume  
The blushes of thy youth; with timorous  
Modesty behave thy gesture and thy tongue,  
And then, thou shalt stand up exemplary  
To all triumphant Courts: the envy of  
The Eastern Queens: th'Astrologers mistake,  
Who shall direct their Optics unto thee,  
As to a new and unknown Star.  Alteza 
Sister!—  Altamont. 
The small Musicians of the air (whom Queens  
With mimic falconry do perch upon  
Their fists) shall be thy food. Thy maids shall eat  
Young Pelicans, and Squirrels hearts.  Alteza. 
excellent!  Altamont. 
Thy beverage shall be prophetic, and  
Divine; for thou shalt drink that sovereign dew,  
That hangs upon the frighted Lilies cheek,  
And brewed with Syrens tears, such as they shed  
In real obsequies.  Alteza. 
O bounteous Sir!—  Altamont. 
The soft entrail o'th' Persian worm, th'ermine's  
Pale fur, shall clothe thy limbs.  Alteza. 
More precious still!  Altamont. 
Those gums and spices which the Arabian bird,  
Collects to make her tragic piles, shall be  
Thy winter fuel.  Alteza. 
Pretty Sir, proceed!  Alta. 
Thou shalt have Marmosets, and Dwarfs, the male  
And female too, to procreate in thy house;  
That thy delights may ever be renewed.  
Thy jewels shall increase, as if the loved  
Indies were thy Quarry. Th'almighty Sun  
Shall rise, and see a nobler day break from  
Thy Cabinet, then yet the illustrious East  
Ere knew.  Alteza. 
But how will you perform these hopes?  Altamont. 
The miracle, and power, do both consist,  
In my large wealth.  Alteza. 
Death on my Tribe! Your wealth?  Altamont. 
ay, my sweet Love.  Alteza. 
Your wealth?  Altamont. 
This iteration  
Scarce will delight, if it be negative.  Alteza. 
Canst thou persist in such accursed schism?  Altamont. 
Did you not then intend, when you endowed  
Me with your wealth, that I should call it mine?  Alteza. 
By heaven not I. I forfeited the love  
O'th' great Duke (my Uncle) to marry thee;  
That wert a thing shrunk from thy fate, and lost  
Unto the lips and eyes of men; but yet  
In most assured hope, that thou wouldst prove,  
An humble and obedient husband.  Altamont. 
thouart more impudent, than the Basilisk,  
Who stares i'th' blessed face of man, until  
He kill him with his eyes.  Alteza. 
Hear Altamont!  
For I will give solemnity unto  
A vow, that shall for evermore, divide  
Thee from my bed—  Mervolle. 
Dear Madam hold! Each sense  
Of mine doth blush, that can perceive, your wild,  
Rebellious wrath. Hath not the Church named him  
Your husband, and your Lord?  Alteza. 
M'opinions of  
The Church, I'll tell toth' Conclave, not to you—  Altamont. 
Is this the help, Divinity gave man?  
Snuff the Moon, she burns dim. The Spheres are now  
Ill tuned, and aged nature backward reels.  Alteza. 
Thy anger's vain. Here I do banish thee  
My bed: And we will never more embrace.  Altamont. 
Rebellious fiend.  Alteza. 
I now divide my house:  
This side is mine, with the dimensions that  
Dependence have on this square frame: for here  
My family and I will rule. That side  
You, and your meager ragged train possess.  
Thou mayst henceforth my neighbour, but no more  
My husband be. Charintha, come away—  Altamont. 
I must pursue, lest she her anger make  
Too loud, so we invite the public scorn.  Exeunt Alteza, Charintha: Altamont. Mervolle. 
Is not thy brother's wife a pure tame hen?  
How dost thou like her noise?  Florello. 
Were she but mine,  
I'd teach her keep a noise too after death.  Mervolle. 
How so?  Florello. 
I'd strip her skin o'er her ears and  
Make a drum on't.  Rossa. 
She was borne in a storm!  Molard. 
And begot sure with the Boatswain's whistle.  Florello. 
Mervolle, you have named Charintha,  
As a precious Virgin, of nature most  
Remiss, a quiet tongue, and such a heart,  
As might become an able sacrifice,  
T'expiate the whole world?  Mervolle. 
This I esteemed  
My justice on her merits, but it seems  
Her sister's documents over rule her now.  
Her dowry is of ample rate, and may  
Deserve the chief of our Italian youth.  Florello. 
What's Dandalo, that sues to her for love?  Mervolle. 
Dandalo, the Count of Milan? A thing  
Composed of spicery and starch! Nature  
Contrived him in her sleep. If's ignorance  
Might answer for his sins; he would account  
Amongst his wealth, the land he has in Heaven.  Florello. 
I heard you say, she never saw him yet.  Mervolle. 
Never Sir: He woos her by his letters.  
She desiring a personal survey  
Ere prosecution of the suit, he sent  
Her word, he'd make's address by stealth; but we  
Expect him not ere th'birth of the next Moon.  Florello. 
Will his arrival be so long delayed?—  
Brother!— How thrives your patience o'er your wife?  Alta. 
Some Philosophic hope remains: the storm  
Can't last, because 'tis still more violent.  
Sh'ath ta'en caroche for the Palace, and means  
straight to disgrace me to the Duke  
By her complaints.  Mervolle. 
Her veins o'erflow with Gall!  Altamont. 
Florello, I desire thou'lt not appear  
Before her eye, until thy habit's changed.  
My present power sums but a thousand crowns,  
Which I have brought, and prostrate to thy use—  Gives him a Bag. Florello. 
Sir it is fit your blessings were increased;  
And that your wife had read your worth.  Altamont. 
My Art betrays my hopes, or I have found  
A remedy to cure her pride: your help  
Mervolle, I must crave, and with swift speed:  Exeunt Altamont, Mervolle. Florello. 
Rossa, Molard, (friends to my Soul and Brain)  
Advance your subtle Eyes! The sovereign mine  
Behold, that makes the solemn Patriarch dance,  
And the anointed King to skip, as doth  
His limber Dwarf.  Rossa. 
Yellow as foot of Kite!  Molard 
Shall we be tender natured, and divide?  Florello. 
This is the portion will procure us all  
High dignity and place. Rossa, you must  
Find cause to number these— Go, ransom out  
Our captive weeds, and the rich habit I  
From Pisa brought: whilst you (Mollard) with the  
Assistance of these few— procure us fit  
Materials to adorn, and put in bright  
Aspect our Corpse. inquire for Pearls: Stones of  
The cunningest soil, we'll like them, and disburse.  Rossa. 
Is there some aged vessel now asleep  
In the Dock, that will pay for her calking?  Molard. 
Florello, must we stop the public leaks?  Florello. 
Ere long we shall be great, be able to  
Advance with smiles, and with our frowns destroy.  
You Rossa, I'll create a Magistrate.  
Go practise the austere Cough. Pale delinquents  
Thou shalt learn to jeer, and to sleep over men  
Condemned.  Rossa. 
The calling (Sir) I do vouchsafe.  Florello. 
Thou (my Molard) shalt rule in Villages,  
Grow popular, and mistake the Laws. Thou shalt  
Delight i'th' calendar: the Rubric days  
Thou shalt observe, and then destroy thy beef.  
Whilst thy dull earthy Tenants feed until  
They smell.  Molard. 
My lancepresado then shall sop  
His Crust in cider and in wine!  Rossa. 
And my  
Dread Corporal shall sin no more for Leeks,  
His Girdle and his socks he shall unpawn.  Florello. 
The solitary Hostess shall no more  
Boil the Carrion meat that she must trust,  
In her own tears; Nor with a Requiem bring  
The service up, as if it were the Haunch  
Of her dead Husband.  Rossa. 
I am entire flame!  Florello. 
The Geographic Captain shall no more  
Study the Town Map, that's dark walks may be  
Contrived through slender Allies and through Lanes,  
To scape his hungry Creditors abroad.  Rossa. 
Thy Province is Chaldea, thy Father  
Was a rabbi!  Molard. 
And thy Aunt a Sibyl!  Florello. 
These are the victories of wit: by wit  
We must achieve our hopes; which to refine  
And purify, with paces doubled let's  
Descend a Marble vault, there taste the rich  
Legitimate blood of the mighty Grape.  
'tis precious as the milk of Queens; such as  
Would teach dull Saturn laugh. It magnifies  
The heart, and makes the agile spirits dance,  
It drowns all thoughts adulterate and sad;  
Inspires the Prophet, makes the Poet glad.  Exeunt omnes.   

Act the second.  

Scene the first.  Enter Altamont, Mervolle, Scoperta. Altamont. 
I Have received a mandate from the Duke,  
That will (I fear) increase her insolence.  
Like an old Tyrant he bestows his threats;  
As if his anger did obey his will,  
Not justice, nor the Laws.  Mervolle. 
Does your wife know  
This preparation you have made to cure  
Her haughtiness?  Altamont. 
All is discovered to  
Her ear: the news hath taught her boil her heart  
In her own blood. She now weeps vinegar;  
Boasts of revenge, as if the Thunder were  
Her own.  Mervolle. 
'twere fit your pretty Agent here,  
Received instructions how to shape her garb  
And port, just as th'imployment doth require.  Altamont. 
Her knowledge is already satisfied.  
Alteza's threats shall only move her scorn.  Scoperta. 
I will perform my best in your behalf,  
But I do fear I am not valiant Sir. Enter Niente.  Altamont. 
O, you! that call your sins your duty, that  
Obey your lady's riots out o'zeal!—  Niente. 
Signior!—  Altamont. 
Her honour's spital you preserve  
As a Restorative for your salt itch  Niente. 
I beseech ye—  Altamont. 
You third in Bracelets too,  
The Pearls that drop from her authentic nose.  Niente. 
What mean you Sir?  Altamont. 
To cleave you from the scalp  
Unto the twist: to make nine skittles of  
Your bones, and wind your heartstrings 'bout my thumb—  Niente. 
O mercy Sir! So rotten are my Limbs  
That when you stretch your Cheeks and blow on me,  
I straight am scattered into sand—  Altamont. 
Coward!  
Creep straight into my Hourglass then, and there  
Eternally distinguish fatal time— Enter Alteza.  Alteza.. 
What slave disturbs the quiet of my Ear?  Niente steps behind her. Niente. 
ne'er look Sir! I serve my Lady; and I  
Do scorn to yield—  Altamont. 
D'ye bristle Porcupine?—  Niente. 
Take heed!— I have the malady of France—  Alteza. 
Stay Altamont! withdraw thy violence!  
If thou disorder'st but a hair, that doth  
Belong to th'Eyebrow of my meanest Groom,  
I will proclaim my superiority  
And rule i'th' Streets.  Altamont. 
Hell cannot miss thee long!  Alteza. 
Insult beneath thy own low Roof! This part  
O'th' House doth call me sovereign  She spies Scoperta, and comes near her. Altamont. 
Retire!  Alteza. 
Is that the Piece you have so magnified,  
She you boast of for your pastime Royal?  Altamont. 
She clips the grey and shivered wings of Time  
to make him slow; that our embraces like  
Succeeding minutes then, may add unto  
Their length. Let me engender on thy lips—  Scoperta. 
So our progeny may still be kisses—  Altamont. 
A meek and gentle heat, whilst thus we bill  
We imitate the sober lust of Doves—  Scoperta. 
That kiss (Sir) was so powerful and moist,  
That you have robbed my Lips of all their wealth!  Altamont. 
Take back thy wealth again!—  Alteza. 
Are ye so hot?—  Altamont. 
Thy Lips are thin and lank (Alteza) as  
The Lids that close thine Eyes. Hers gently swell  
Like Eastern fruit, and are more soft than is  
The fleecy Air that clothes the Infant Morn.  Alteza. 
Pray a word! Is there in this Pageantry  
Ought like to truth? Discover your intent!  Altamont. 
I'll make my anger equal unto thine,  
And my revenge above them both. This bright  
Auspicious Maid shall govern in my bed.  
She is my Concubine: the Off spring of  
Her womb shall triumph here, maugre thy sight:  
Whilst envy does consume thy flesh until  
Thy body lighter grow then thy loose mind.  Alteza. 
How well my Stars behave their influence?  Altamont. 
Mervolle, go! my Mistress guide unto  
Those lodgings that o'erview the Garden mount.  Scoperta. 
If you retard your presence whilst the Sun  
(In's race) fill up one Hour, you'll find before  
Your next review, that grief hath made me old,  
And I shall look more like a Matron than  
A Bride; so much your absence mortifies.  Altamont. 
Thou art to every sense I have, a Spell.  
Conduct her straight (Mervolle) to some Throne!  Exeunt Mervolle, Scoperta. Alteza. 
Then are the vows, the Ecclesiastic rites  
With which the zealous Priest obliged us to  
Peculiar heat, to abstinence from change,  
And various love, quite canceled by your lust?  Altamont. 
Accuse thy pride!  Alteza. 
Thou art a perjured man!  Altamont. 
Go, thou art as light as feathers, or the Air,  
were but an atom individual placed  
With thee in balance even, 'twould hoist thee up  
To th'clouds.  Alteza. 
Thy breath is fulsome as that steam  
Which Toads when they engender vaporate.  Altamont. 
Alteza, bath in penitential tears  
Thy leprous heart, or when the Elements  
Are mixed and the sad day arrives, that dooms  
The world unto eternity of joy,  
Or pain, thou shalt (like to a glimmering Lamp)  
Be hung upon the sooty walls of Hell.  Alteza. 
I smile at thee, and thy thin Arts; like to  
Some homely Village Levite, thou dost preach  
Of terrors strange, to keep dull faith in awe:  
I pray stay; I am not angry Sir.  Altamont. 
No?  Alteza. 
I practised all this while how t'endanger  
your spleen (Sir) not my own, which if my powers  
Prove just, I shall, perform ere long.  
Niente, send the party in— Exit Niente.  Altamont. 
More wrath!  Alteza. 
A slow device (Sir) but o'my own Brain.  Enter Sciolto. Altamont. 
Who art thou?  Sciolto. 
A keen Guest, invited here—  Altamont. 
To what?  Sciolto. 
To taste— your wives Gammons.  Altamont. 
Bold slave! be in thy speech more evident.  Sciolto. 
I am come to get your children for you.  Alteza. 
D'ye want a clearer paraphrase? He is  
My servant Sir, my stallion if I please.  
A Courtly implement, and much in use  
Among Ladies of my growth and Title.  Alta. 
O my cold Blood! My patience will be wrought  
So low, that I shall learn t'milk a Heifer.  Alteza. 
Since I'm so aptly furnished with delight,  
Your Concubine may fearless walk about  
The house, and share the wholesome Sun in peace.  Altamont. 
Thy tongue I do neglect: but you (sir) shall  
Ere long complain of your mortality:  
The minutes you must waste on Earth are few.  Sciolto. 
This I consider Sir, and therefore make  
Such haste to mingle with your wife; that the  
Kind world may have some issue from my Loins.  Alta. 
If this prove true, let Babes piss out my Eyes—  He draws his sword, Sciolto his, Alteza her stilleto. Alteza. 
Hold Altamont, or else I wound thy heart—  Sciolto. 
If you advance one inch beyond that rush  
I'll amble through the Streets, and blow your Dirge  
With the great Horn that grows upon your Brow.  Altamont. 
If there be Gall in Heaven, the general Bag  
Is opened, and it falls in Showers!  Sciolto. 
'Slight Sir;  
I come t'ease the labour of your Body;  
And you want courtship to return me thanks.  Alteza. 
Hang him Ingrate!  Sciolto. 
But what hereafter I  
Perform, shall be for your good lady's sake,  
And not for yours.  Altamont. 
Pray (sir) let's interchange  
A little breath: withal (if you consent)  
We'll put our Swords to a more quiet use—  Sciolto. 
Now Sir, you pour sweet Cassia in my Broth.  
My Blood affects to skirmish more  
With Ladies then with men. What would you speak?  Altamont. 
My true opinion sir concerning you.  
I know you do but counterfeit this lust,  
This lawless heat. You purpose not t'abuse  
the Charter of my Bed,  Sciolto. 
Who told ye so?  Altamont. 
I read it in your noble feature and  
Your looks. You have Religion in your shape.  
And can it be, you should so soon commit a crime  
So much unwholesome to the angel's sight?  
Let me now make a forfeiture of Eyes,  
If ever I beheld a man that's more obliged  
To Nature for his Limbs: A carnal frame  
So full of equal strength I never saw.  Sciolto. 
The better shaped I am (Sir) the more cause  
You'll find, to love the Issue I shall get  
Upon your wife.  Altamont. 
Do not belie thy own  
True merits and comport! Th'adulterate fire  
Did ne'er inflame thy sober heart, I know  
Thou scorn'st to do't.  Sciolto. 
Not I believe it Sir!  
Sir I will do't. Is your Lady fruitful?  
I would be loath t'lose my labour on her?  Altamont. 
Pestilence! and blood!  He draws, and they as before. Alteza. 
Fling a danger from  
Thy arm, I'll summon straight (with Trumpet and  
with Drum) the world to hear thy infamy—  Sciolto. 
O fie! You an Italian Sir, and thus  
Behave the knowledge of disgrace with loud  
And popular dislike?  Alteza. 
Nay it becomes  
You finely, does it not?  Sciolto. 
You think because  
Y'are cursed, we'll allow you short Horns: I'll graft  
Upon your head a pair so tall, they shall  
Go near to prick the very Planet (Sir)  
Thet ruled at your nativity.  Alteza. 
He sleeps.  Sciolto. 
Signior, go! take down a Cushion, and pray!  
You cannot choose but know the frailty of  
The times: the surfeits of the womb, and how  
Great Ladies do relieve their Appetites.  
Your own confession of my parts commends  
Your wife in her sage choice. There be that sin  
With feeble ushers and the withered Dwarf.  Alteza. 
He wants a judgement to consider this.  Sciolto. 
I merit better looks Sir, that must thrash  
All night for ye, and without wages Sir!  Alteza. 
Dead as a monument! Let us leave him!—  Sciolto. 
Had he the Devil for's Physician chose,  
He could ne'er have come by the like Cordial.—  Exeunt Sciolto, Alteza. Alta. 
You swelling mountains (that o'erview the Earth)  
Fall now, make me eternally unseen!  
Philosophy contract thy meek sage brow:  
Let Patience be no more thy Saint. As soon  
Give medicines to the dead, teach statues how  
To walk, and angry winds to sleep i'th' North.  
As soon bid empty Lions play with Kids;  
And to the shaggy Scythian say, Go weep  
As Virgins do, when they their Loves inter:  
The blind and shuffled Elements that first  
In Chaos strove, were not so opposite  
As this Religious frost unto my heat.  
Patience, thou art more fond than teeming wives,  
Tamer than sheep! Divinity which calls  
Our anger sin, and courage pride, hath sent  
This silly cherubin on Earth, Patience,  
(The coward's sword) which only doth disarm  
Dull sleep, that neither can nor would do harm. Exit.  Enter Sciolto, Alteza, Niente. Sciolto. 
Florence knows me well: I'm called Sciolto,  Alteza. 
I needs must sing my usher's praise: he made  
A most discreet election of a man.  Sciolto. 
Your mercy and your kindness (Lady) thus  
Advance my shape; your pleasure was I should  
despise your husband's frowns, and I behaved  
myself with terror masculine: but now  
We are peculiar and reserved, I know  
Humility, a soft and quiet garb;  
A distance that shall well become the state  
So eminent and rich a beauty claims.  Alteza. 
Sir, that we do expect, and than you shall  
o'er take our noble Sense, with newer love.  
Our husband is a trifle, such as can  
No way disturb your peace or safety here.  Sciolto. 
Madam, store me with arms and weapons to  
Resist his personal assault, and I  
Shall need no more protection than myself.  Alteza. 
Active and bold! Niente thou hast made  
A choice out-parallels the world.  Niente. 
Madam,  
See his horse veins: theyare large as Conduit pipes;  
His Sinews are like Cables.  Sciolto. 
'las! not mine!  
'tis true, that if I like my Opposite,  
I have a trick te give an easy fall,  
And stand to't stiffly too when I ha'done—  Niente. 
I will assure your Ladyship, the Bawds  
Give him good report.  Alteza. 
Do they Niente?  Niente. 
He's great with Ladies of all ages, all Degrees.  Sciolto. 
Excuse me Sir, theyare great by me!  Alteza. 
As how Sir?  Sciolto. 
Madam— They are all with-child!  Alteza. 
How Signior? Is your appetite so strong?  Sciolto. 
Blame the humorous Planets that o'errule  
The blood. Ere yet this present Month expires;  
(Let's see— I,!) Some three and forty Ladies  
(Or there about) will quicken with male Twins.  Alteza. 
All of your begetting?  Sciolto. 
So wise Fame sings.  
I will make bold to gather my first fruits— Goes to kiss her.  Alteza. 
Stay my pregnant Signior! Our love is not  
Yet ripe: there is a larger distance too  
Belongs unto our Lips.  Sciolto. 
How dear Lady?  Alteza. 
I am too proud to have my favours soon  
and easily conferred. Such smiles are cheap.  
I mean to procreate by prescription Sir,  
Make my lust as physical as my meals.  Sciolto. 
Death, I'm Suitor unto Gallen's widow!  
Madam, I know it not becomes the high  
Demeanour of your birth to dance (just like  
A Kid) to th'music of each wind that blows.  
Ere you admit of dalliance I should use  
Some industry of Tongue, and flexure of  
the pliant joints, to court and woo consent.  Alteza. 
And can your rudeness covet then where your  
Safe wit and knowledge warns your abstinence?  Sciolto. 
Only a little t'recreate the Chine—  Alteza. 
Keep back, if you'll continue life. When I  
Am pleased to be delighted Sir, I can  
command the function of your Limbs.  
Charintha within .Madam!  Alteza. 
Sister, I come. Throw him to his chamber—  Sciolto. 
Hast no good book, whose comfortable use  
may fill th'expense of time?  Alteza. 
What would you read?  Sciolto. 
Any o'th' Moderns. Rabelais i'th' praise of  
Midwives. Aretine on copulation.  
Or th'Odes of Theophile unto his whore.  Alteza. 
My Usher in my closet can appoint  
Your choice of these.  Sciolto. 
Think on the frailty of  
The flesh; and be not long unmerciful—  
Charintha within .Sister! Madam!  Alteza. 
Away; I come, I come. Exeunt Niente, Sciolto:  Enter Charintha, Besognia. Charintha. 
The Milan Count (my Suitor) is arrived.  Alteza. 
Signior Dandolo! Why 'tis yet a month  
Ere he should meet your expectation here.  Besognia. 
'tis he Madam, and such a he as must  
Be only likened to himself.  Charintha. 
More rich,  
And gaudy than the East. So liberal too,  
That you would think he Natures Steward were.  
He gives amongst my slaves, as if unto  
Ambassadors he did cast Donatives.  Alteza. 
Milk him (my Charintha) oft I have preached  
Unto thine Ear a sovereignty o'er man.  
Take all he gives, it's princely fashion now.  
Could but thy acceptation beggar him,  
Thy little wit were ever magnified.  Charintha. 
You know I am o'th' wits, I have been sworn  
To beggar Suitors, and jeer my husband.  Enter Florello in rich habit. Rossa, Molard, shifted like his servants. Florello. 
Which is the Lady that I come to woo?  Charintha. 
My name's Charintha—  Florello. 
Present me thy Lips!  
I say advance—  Alteza. 
You are not understood—  He kisses Charintha, then gives her a jewel. Charintha. 
My Lord, I scarcely own desert enough  
T'entice this jewel from your Cabinet.  Florel. 
A Stone, a Stone! the thing grows, I've enough—  Alteza. 
So free? I am Charintha's Sister Sir—  Florello. 
It may be so. A fine house, fine Town too!  
Were Florence mine, I would not give it for  
The best winter Seat my father left me.  Alteza. 
'tis Sir, th'ambition of my love, that you  
Would know me for Charintha's Sister!—  Florello. 
I shall. Rossa, remember it!  Rossa. 
My Lord!  Florello. 
I must know her for Charintha's Sister.  Charintha. 
Is there no trick in ceremony Sir,  
To give your memory a better hint?  Florello. 
Kiss none but thee! A device i'th' blood! but  
Princes have one toy or other still, t'make  
Their descent known.— There, a Diamond that,  
And that a Ruby.— Gives to Alteza.  Alteza. 
What means your Lordship?  Florello. 
theyare none of mine. I have enough, wear'em—  Alteza. 
Your Lordship binds my great acknowledgement.  
I'th' leisure of a wink, he'll give away  
An Empire.  Besognia. 
I'm Charintha's woman Sir—  Florello. 
Who can help it? Mistress, wilt thou not bid  
My servants welcome? theyare rich Choughs, th'ave store  
Of Villages, and ploughed Earth.  Charintha. 
Their judgement is  
So kind (Sir) as to know they may command  
The house.  Rossa, Molard. 
We thank your Ladyship.  Florello. 
This is my Parasite, and this my Pimp.  
I've a Fool, a Dwarf too at home. I made  
My jaunt too early by a month, or else  
My Train had been enlarged.  Alteza. 
theyare rarely fixed,  
If they import as much as you denominate.  Florello. 
I keep my parasite to cure the dull  
Melancholy of State. He does admire  
My wit and Beard. He says I cannot sin.  
PRINCE's would still be sad out for such worms.  Alteza. 
But how (Sir) does your Pimp adhere to use?  Florello. 
He is as pertinent to Lords as lust.  
My Fool I keep to laugh at me. My Dwarf  
Is for my wife. I do intend she shall  
Affect the Court, and then she'll quickly learn.  
To make the Toy useful.  Charintha. 
My Lord, be pleased  
To walk, and use th'advantage of the Air.  Florello. 
I've Instruments distinct, that take a charge  
O'th' several quarters of my Frame, My Dwarf  
Doth dress me up unto the knees, and when  
His stature leaves his reach, young Virgins then  
(Th'issue of decayed Barons) do begin  
And govern to the Navel. Whilst upwards  
barbers, Painters, and Parasites are used.  Charin. 
But will your Lordship walk and see the spring?  
We have a Garden where it ever dwells.  Florello. 
And shall we be delighted and entranced?  Charintha. 
We'll sacrifice the utmost of our wealth  
And love, t'express your welcome Sir.  Florello. 
Wilt i' faith.  
There's a sapphire Chain: Tie thy Monkey in't—  
Take it; for by this hand I am in haste  
And cannot offer twice.  Besognia. 
If you should chance  
(My honoured Lord) to drop those trifles here,  
I would be mannerly, and reach'em up.  Florello. 
I will give thee a Bushel of seed-pearl  
To embroider thy Petticoat.  Charintha. 
This way—  Rossa. 
Your Lordship hath forgot to leave notice for  
Those Princes in disguise that shall by chance  
Demand ye at the gate.  Alteza. 
Who does he mean?  Florello. 
A leash of German Dukes that walk in Rugge.  
I should consult with'em 'bout subversion  
Of a State or two; but I'm not yet at  
Leisure.  Alteza. 
My Lord, they shall be answered so.  Rossa. 
Your hypocrisy wants a little Art.  Molard. 
Your bounty will impoverish us too soon.  Florello. 
Ye both do lie, I weave my cunning close.  
Fortune, redeem the credit of thy Eyes.  
Thou wilt (if thou art partial now and kind)  
But wink on me, though to the world thouart blind.  Exeunt omnes.   

Act the third.  

Scene the first.  Enter Altamont, Mervolle. Sciolto at the other door. Altamont. 
THis is the truth, therefore consider now  
my Fate. Hah! Sciolto!  Mervolle. 
What makes he there.  Altamont. 
'tis Sciolto, the brute Adulterer,  
He whom I lately mentioned in my speech.  
A slave more salt than is the baltic ware,  
More hot than hell, a Satire or a Goat.  Sciolto. 
And shall be still so (Sir) unless your wife  
Dismiss her pride, and vouchsafe to cool me.  Alta. 
devils and death, I'm murdered through the Ear—  He draws, Sciolto pulls forth a case of Pistols, Sciolto. 
Take discipline awhile, Know if there be  
A boisterous motion used, I have for each  
Of you a round Cinnamon plum, and they  
Shall enter your nice stomachs the wrong way—  Altamont. 
Though thou wert hardy as the lion's race;  
And armed with all th'Artillery on Earth,  
I durst assault thee as I am; but so  
I cannot satisfy Revenge.  Mervolle. 
Sciolto, now my memory begins  
To know you better: for your riots bold  
And loud demeanour in this City hath  
Been long observed. I wonder much y'employimploy  
Your precious minutes in a course so vile.  Sciolto. 
What, as to copulate and increase kind?  
It has been a vocation ever since  
The Sun spied man thus crawling on the Earth—  Mervolle. 
But what excuse canst thou in honour urge,  
for wearing such advantageous defence,  
Against his just and single violence?  Sciolto. 
I have an odd humour, not to be killed.  Altamont. 
O Alteza, had but my name been hid  
Beneath some fold in the voluminous  
Dark book of Fate, I might have missed of my  
Creation then, so I should ne'er have seen  
Thy face.  Sciolto. 
My curses (Sir) have cause t'assault  
Her more than yours: for she has starved me here  
With want of natural delight. My free  
Large growth and tincture of my hair denote,  
My constitution cannot suffer me,  
To wear a surplice, or proceed Eunuch.  
Though I should bathe and swim in julips Sir,  
I've still unruly heat about my Chine.  Altamont. 
A Salamander that doth feed and clothe  
itself with flame, was thy Progenitor.  Sciolto. 
Have I not equal reason to complain?  
In three Hours not so much as a dry kiss.  
Th'old amorous Deacon that embraced his Cow  
Was not so destitute.  Mervolle. 
Fine calumny!  Sciolto. 
A Negro might be useful now, although  
she'd but one eye, and that fixed on her heel.  Altamont. 
I'll strew upon thy food the teeth of Snakes,  Sciolto. 
Signior, presume no more upon a fond  
Easy nature. I have been abstinent  
Too long. Haste, and with pliant steps present  
Your wife; Or else I'll assure ye you shall seek  
Some other man to Cuckold ye for me.  Mervolle. 
Sciolto, this is barbarous!  Altamont. 
I'll shoot  
Thy heart with needles, small as splinters of  
A hair that thou mayst die, and yet not know  
That thou art killed.  Sciolto. 
I thank ye (Signior) but  
We Florentines do sleep like Leverets,  
With our Eyes open: howe'er, I could vouchsafe  
To shoot you now, and prevent your kindness.—  Mervolle. 
Sciolto, hold. If either charge do miss,  
He that survives, shall grind thy marble heart,  
Between his teeth—  Sciolto. 
I meant not to give fire.  
There is a trick of gravity i'th' state  
Called Law. Besides, you dead, the children which  
I chance to get upon your buxom wife,  
I should go near to keep at my own charge.  Altamont. 
Africa breeds no monster like to thee.  Sciolto. 
I'll to my chamber now, and fortify  
There, I remain (during the pleasure of  
Your wife) your Tenant (Signior) in fee tail.— Exit.  Altamont. 
It is a cunning, and promiscuous slave.  
This story of Alteza's abstinence,  
He doth but counterfeit, to gull my sight.  Mervolle. 
Had the Devil himself crept into flesh,  
And undertook this service to your wife,  
She had possessed, the weaker Instrument.  
He hath in 's Veins, a most intemperate blood  
His valour's so renowned, that all the smooth,  
The curled, and silken Nobles of the Town,  
Do homage to his Sword; and by such Acts  
As these, he glorifies his truant youth.  Altamont. 
Thy faith was jealous, I seduced thy ear  
To share untruths: but now, thou know'st too much.  Mervolle. 
'twas my suspect of Fame, and dispersement  
Of your deep wrong, that manacled till now,  
Your hands. My temperate Lectures cease. Obey  
Revenge, and I will follow it, until  
My wealth, and life, are forfeited to Law.  Alta. 
Hah! wilt thou? O my quickened heart (entombed  
Before within my breast) wilt thou? This, this  
Then is the direful night, wherein I'll give  
A strict and cruel justice to Revenge.  Mervolle. 
This then is the night, wherein my bold love  
Shall merit me th'eternal name of friend.  Alt. 
Come swear, swear now (on this victorious sword)  
Thou wilt obey th'injunctions of my wrath,  
And yet in personal act, not move, but when  
My will appoints a mixture of thy strength.  Mervolle. 
My choice Religion, & the honours of my blood,  
I here do pawn to ratify the vow—  Mervolle kisses the Hilts. Altamont. 
Now work my injured spirits, till you make  
Dull sorrow rise in nimble flame. Anger,  
Is blood, powered, and perplexed into a froth,  
But Malice is, the wisdom of our wrath. Exeunt.  Ent. Florello, Charintha, Alteza, Rossa, Molard. Charintha. 
Your Lordship's letters were of a prompt style!  Florello. 
This orient Rope is yours, and you must wear't;  
I sicken else, and grow a villager  
In Elysium!  Charintha. 
Your bounty chokes my thanks.  Alteza. 
Take it. Afflict me Fame, if ere I knew  
His parallel; he woes at Nero's rate. Enter Besognia.  Besognia. 
Madam, there's a new Dandolo, a new  
Count, lighted at the Gate, and craves entrance.  Florello. 
That's rare i'faith; have I a shadow walks  
Without leave o'the Sun?  Alteza. 
A conspiracy.  Florello. 
Did not Mervolle say, 'twould be a month,  
Ere he arrived?  Rossa. 
Be bold and meet your chance.  Florello. 
Stand firm, and stiffly on your sinews then,  
Avouch me still, for the true Dandolo.  Alteza. 
Charintha, 'tis some stratagem; but if  
He jewels bring, and in a hand as large,  
And open as yond easy snipes, thou hast  
Ill luck if thou constrain him not to loss.  Charintha· 
I'll smile no longer than these rich sparkles  
Shine in my Eyes. Enter Dandolo.  Dandolo. 
The Lady that is named  
Charintha here, must be revealed; for I'd  
Exalt her Lips, and make'em known to mine.  Flo: 
'Slight, this is the great Cham. Hark ye, Signior—  Charintha. 
My Lord, I pray afford him leave to speak.  Dan. 
What, is that saucy Groom? Does he sell Eggs?  Florello. 
I'll show ye my Trade; A poor swordman, I—  Alteza. 
Sir you destroy the quiet of my House:  
He shall have safety here, and leave to speak.  Charintha. 
I'm called Charintha Sir; proceed to speech.  Dandolo. 
I'll first do special grace unto your Lip—  
My Pen hath wooed you oft; but now by stealth  
Thus single I'm arrived, a Moon before  
The time I did prefix.  Charintha. 
ay sir, the cause.  Dandolo. 
'twas Winter when I specified the date  
Of my approach, and then my blood was cold;  
But now the spring is come, Things would couple.  
These (Lady) are very secular Pearl—  Alteza. 
ay sir, and in such Toys, she much delights:  
Although her modesty be loath, to make  
Her fancies known. Would you had brought some few  
To mach'em.  Dandolo. 
Do you affect'em Lady?  Charintha. 
I rejoice in all the works of Nature!  Dandolo. 
I am instructed then.  Alteza. 
As how, dear Sir?  Dandolo. 
That I did ill, to leave my Pearls behind.  Alteza. 
Sister this Hulk, is neither rigged, nor fraught,  Charintha. 
I'll have no more of him, he is too costive.  Flor. 
Sir a word. methinks you look, like raw Pork.  Dandolo. 
Has not this house the privilege of peace?  Florello. 
ladies, this Impostor steals my Titles,  
And my name, I ask leave, to punish him.  Alteza. 
we'll not protect his crimes, use your justice.  Florello draws his Stiletto. Florello. 
Unless you are an ostrich, Sir, and can  
Digest steel, cool your lungs, and calmly wait  
Th'inquiry I shall urge.  Dandolo. 
Hence, and be dead!  Florello. 
Molard, reveal how long thou hast been Pimp,  
To the family of the Dandolos?  Molard. 
About some thirty years (Sir.) I've procured  
Both time and place, for your good Father's game,  
Ere since he was capable of woman.  Rossa. 
He used the Trade (Sir) in his infancy.  Molard. 
I scare could walk, when I began't: the first  
I brought him was my Nurse.  Florello. 
Canst point, at aught  
He did some two and twenty years ago?  Molard. 
Distinctly Sir. I know that Gentleman,  
He was got, on a Tripewife of Lucca.  Florello. 
O th'action of my father's loins!  Alteza. 
My lord?  Florello. 
I'm an old Jew at Genealogies.  
This fellow's descent I know now, and where  
He took 's creation too. By chance thus have  
I met forty of my Father's Bastards.  
theyare poor, and put me oft to charge. Brother,  
Welcome.— Rossa, give him a Quardecus.  Dandolo. 
Bid Kings wind silk, and PRINCE's measure oats.  Charin. 
Your train of Parasite, Pimp, Fool and Dwarf,  
Speak you at first, to be the true young Lord.  Alteza. 
Yet th'other has some marks, that do belong  
Unto a Count, o'th' last edition too:  Dandolo. 
D'you think y'are the Count?  Florello. 
I do, think it, Sir.  Dandolo. 
Thought's free.  Alteza. 
He should be a Venetian,  
Byth' wit, and policy of his courage.  Dan. 
Beauties, were your hands clean, they should be killed 〈◊〉.  Florello. 
Bold illegitimate.  Dandolo. 
Sir,— you shall know,  
No man ere got me, but my own Father. Exit.  Florello. 
Besognia speak in my behalf; I'll give  
Thee a Pearl then, big as a pompion.  Besognia. 
Which, when your Lordship does, I'll return ye  
A pointed Diamond, big as a Steeple.  Alteza. 
yon thrifty counterfeit, has much perplexed  
Your servant's wit.  Charintha. 
My Lord. let's in, and jeer.  Florello. 
Slow method fools obey. To th' stars advance  
His head, who thus resists the power of Chance. Ex. omnes.  Enter Scoperta, Sciolto. Scoperta. 
Like to my Genius he doth move about  
The house. Our souls are surely near allied—  Sciolto. 
Calls he her, his concubine? By this hand  
There's not a Prince in all the East, has such  
Another. This Altamont still gripes'em  
In the flank; he knows to choose his cattle.  
Be thou pleased, O young and wholesome Lady!  Scoperta. 
The Garden (Signior) doth contain more walks,  
As pensative in shade as this. I do  
Beseech you, change your path, and leave me here.  Sciolto. 
The fumes of spicery? you must not now—  Holds her in his Arms. Altamont, Mervolle, from above. Mervolle. 
My vows have promised you the ample truth  
Of my intelligence. Behold, whom there,  
Sciolto keeps in amorous whisper.  Altamont. 
Hah, Scoperta! Libidinous Girl, what makes  
She with that Horse?  Mervolle. 
Shall I disturb their speech?  Altamont. 
No, let'em Knit and generate; my words  
Shall never penetrate her Ear until  
I am revenged for what my Eyes have seen.  Mervolle. 
There is a general tainture in the Sex.  Altamont. 
She is proscribed, I've filled her in the List  
With those that taste tonight a bitter fate.  
Away, away. This object ruins all  
My faculties. Exeunt from above.  Sciolto. 
I sigh my first salute  
Was so intemperately performed. But O!  
The justice of my Stars! My love is now  
Revenged upon my lust. With pure chaste flame  
I Court the Mistress unto Altamont;  
One here reserved for sinful use. Stay, stay!—  Scoperta. 
If I am seen, my life is forfeited—  Sciolto. 
Hast thou not heard my vows, whose violence  
And number well might satisfy suspect  
in wayward Kings.  Scoperta. 
How dare I traffic thus  
For love with thee: when thy accounts with Heaven  
Are yet not cleared that lust betrayed thee to?  Sciolto. 
With what advice of modesty canst thou  
Accuse my blood; when in this Mansion thouart  
Contained for the like sin?  Scoperta. 
Were I well known  
Unto the quality of thy new love,  
I would reveal myself, and take from thy  
Belief the false opinion of my guilt.  Sciolto. 
If ere I practise impious heat again,  
Some long armed Fiend that in the Centre dwells  
Reach at my foot, and pull me into flames.  Scoperta. 
Bear witness Immortality and Truth  
That I'm official here but by pretence,  
My Veins are cold and chaste as Northern snow.  Sciolto. 
Thy name, and then my doubts I will forsake?  Scoperta. 
Scoperta is my name. I Sister am  
To Altamont; not Mistress of his lust.  Sciolto. 
O dire affinity! my love is now  
Allied unto my hate. Yet Altamont  
near merited my wrath. It is the wit  
The policy of sin, to hate those men  
We have abused. When first I spied the grace  
And lustre of thy shape; methought I loved,  
And my sick heart informed me love was good:  Scoperta. 
And you when I beheld, I said to Heaven,  
O make but his immortal part like to  
The Garment Nature clothes it in, and he'll  
Remain a Type, from whom shall be derived  
The Prophets, and the Kings that rule the Earth.  Sciolto. 
Her beauties so increase; that they do make  
My comprehension poor.  Scoperta. 
I should have used  
More leisure and nice Art, when I did give  
My love away.  Sciolto. 
O stay, until my vows  
Afford a larger warrant of my faith—  Scoperta: 
Our new society must not be seen.  
But if thy love be free from carnal Arts,  
(Such as the curled Youth of Italy  
Do use) make me thy sudden stealth. Early,  
(Ere the succeeding Sun arrive i'th' East)  
Appear beneath my Casements view, and I  
Will follow thee along the spacious World.  Exit. Sciolto. 
Go noble Maid, wert thou divided from  
My reach, by Sheets of Elemental fire,  
By streams of recking blood, by purple mists  
(Which Cannons in their acclamation breath)  
Or winds (when met to blow each other from  
The Earth) yet I would pull thee to my Heart.  
False lust, I take of thee eternal leave—  Ent. Niente, Alteza. Alteza. 
Convey those odours thither, and disperse  
The costly smoke, about the room.  Niente. 
I shall.  Alteza. 
Place soft and easy fingered Lutes, behind  
The Arras; voices feminine and young.  
And spread the Couch, with the green Persian Quilt.  Niente. 
All is prepared. Exit.  Sciolto. 
For what are these designed?  Alteza. 
I feel a slothful grudging in my veins,  
And therefore mean to solace with a male.  
Brush thy Beard, and follow me.—  Sciolto. 
Now am I  
As rascally a sinner, as ever.  Alteza. 
Why com'st thou not?  Sciolto. 
O Love! A little grace.  Alteza. 
Is not thy blood well? Kiss me Sciolto.  Sciolto. 
Shall we be wrapped in curlings intricate?  Alteza. 
We'll have our artificial heats, and with our own  
Panting cool us to new, and younger strength.  Sciolto. 
And shall we 'tween two shady Poplars hang  
I'th' Indian-Net, whose slippery closures may  
Entangle us so fast, we ne'er shall be  
Untied again▪  Alteza. 
We'll grow as in one skin.  Sciolto. 
Yes, much! Not an inch.—  Alteza. 
I want thy meaning.  Sciolto. 
And shall my action more. It mightiness  
And state, taught me to fast from flesh; and now,  
I am well pleased to make't perpetual Lent.  Alteza. 
I like this well. My Male is witty grown.  Sciolto. 
Go, kneel to your husband, and beg from him  
Lawful recreation: myself intend  
To purchase a few Beads, and turn Votary.  
She'll ne'er move hence, till I've enraged her spleen.  Alteza. 
What motive (Sir) persuades ye, use me thus?  Sciolto. 
Why— ye are not handsome.  Alteza. 
Trim prodigy!  Scio. 
Question your Glass! Your Face was carved— out of  
A Blue cabbage; and 'tis contracted now  
To one, oblique Wrinkle.  Alteza. 
Villain, thou liest.  Sciolto. 
Thy aged skull in stead of hair  
o'ergrown with Moss, and looks as if t'had been,  
A Thousand years entombed.  Alteza. 
Adders, and snakes.  Sciolto. 
Thy solitary Teeth, in distance stand  
Like the decayed Arches of a Bridge.  Alteza. 
Better, thou'dst been unborn.  Sciolto. 
Wilt not yet go?  
Thy Fingers are all crooked, like the Talons  
Of a Griffon. Thou walkst on Cloven-feet.  Alteza. 
Hoa! Niente.  Sciolto. 
Thy Bones are piled across▪  
Much like the Sticks on a conjurer's fire.  Alte. 
Are my Grooms dead? what hoa! I'll impound ye.—  Sciolto pulls out a Case of pistols. Sciolto. 
It must not be. For with these two (of which  
I mean to rob your armoury) there shall  
Be passage forced broad enough for a Teem  
Of Southern Elephants. Farewell Oyster!— Exit.  Alte. 
Where are my Grooms, my slaves? injurious wolf.  
Bark at my precious feature, and thus strew  
My beauty over, with infamy and dust?  
Strike my green youth, with Epithets of age?  
My Altamont ne'er used me thus. He oft  
Compared me to the Stars, m'eyes t' Eastern light,  
When day smiles at her birth. O! I could curse  
The giddy judgement of my blood; that thus  
Seduced me to forsake that Saint, and mix  
My knowledge with this Devil. He's fled too,  
Untouched by my revenge. Niente, hoa! Enter Altamont.  Alta. 
'Tis Alteza, I know her sinful voice,— (She kneels.)  Alteza. 
O Sir, if anguish, or distress, can make,  
An humble heart, behold your Lady now;  
That shortens thus, her stature, at your feet.—  Altamont. 
What may this forced humility portend?  Alteza. 
Sciolto (cruel as the winds in March)  
Hath struck, my womanhood, with tyranny,  
And scorn. Can Fate present so large a test,  
Of your true love, (both to yourself, and me)  
As that you minister revenge upon  
His Life. Go, and salute his recreant Heart  
With your bright Steel, and then obedience claim  
Replete with fond Idolatry, and love.  Altamont. 
The Fiends are surely married too; for there's  
No torment like a Wife! false Alteza.  Alteza. 
So ill I merit charity: that all  
My passions argue cunning and pretence.  
This is a wise hypocrisy, to hide  
Thy lust, or snare me in some guilt, whereby  
The Duke may claim my life, and thou receive  
More quiet space, t'enjoy Sciolto's limbs.  Alteza. 
Those angry spirits that reside below,  
In flaming Ovens, are not more cruel in  
Their envy, then am I in hate to him.  Altamont. 
So soon, dost steep him in thy gall, whom thou  
Hast washed i'th' warm distilments of thy heart.  Alteza. 
If ere I knew him, with more guilt, then what  
My wishes and my thoughts contained; let wrath  
Then make me her experiment, to try  
How much of pain, mortality can hear.  Altamont. 
Thy perjured attestations cease; for though  
The hours are few, since first you did confer,  
Yet you had both the pregnant thrift, to make  
The time advantageous to sin.  Alteza. 
Express,  
Some mercy in your faith, and hear me speak.  Altamont. 
Keep thy denial 'tween thy blistered lips.  
If uttered 'thou art dead.  Alteza. 
Love is no more.  Alta. 
Dost weep? I sooner thought t'have seen the Flint  
Supple as Sponge; th'obdurate Diamond melt  
At the Glowworms pale eye.  Alteza. 
How hath the pride  
Of Courts misled my youth, that you should think  
I've lost, all tender compliments of grace?  Alta. 
Thou wert a Virgin sweet, so precious in  
Thy frame, that with the cordage of thy hair  
Thou mightst have fettered Kings. Thy voice has marred  
The beauties of the night. When thou didst sing  
The quiet stars, would fall asleep and wink.  
Thou art all discord now: thy glory's dark;  
Thy thin, and roseal blood, is turned to Ink.  Alteza. 
I have outlived the help of penitence,  
And benefit of hope.  Altamont. 
Oft have I said  
Let's leave the false, the busy world and sleep  
Beneath our vines; Nature (not cunning) then,  
Augments our wealth; the dew of heaven is cheap,  
Nor need we pay forth' Suns warm light, If kind  
Divinity allow t'each humane soul  
A star; our issue we'll increase, until  
The bright and numerous throng be all employed.  Alteza. 
But I am sterile as a wilderness,  
My name, is sickness to your memory.  Altamont. 
Witness you silent powers, the crime is not  
Derived from me. T'explain my innocence,  
Know, she that here I housed, t'affront thy pride,  
Was my chaste sister, not my Concubine.  Alteza. 
Then you are loyal still, t'th' Marriage vow.  Altamont. 
But; she treads the slimy path. Scoperta,  
Is now thy Rival in Sciolto's lust.  Alteza. 
All springs from the ambition of my guilt.—  Altamont. 
Although thy penitence be rash, it doth  
Become thee well, and thou hast quite dissolved  
The stony corners of my heart. This night  
I purposed thee a cruel death, but now  
Rise, and continue mortal still— I'll lay  
My mercy on thy Lip, and for it take  
My last farewell—. I'll never see thee more.  Alteza. 
This is a mercy that confounds the will  
And strength of all my gratitude. O sad  
Decree. You have divorced me from your Eyes.  Alta. 
Two neighbouring Lilies whom rude winds disperse  
'Mongst restless dust, may sooner meet upon  
Their stalks again, and kiss each other in  
A second growth, than we our loves renew.  Alteza. 
Take heed (Sir) how you prophesy! For my  
Humility with moist contrition joined,  
May hope to wash my leprous stains away.  Altamont. 
O no! my jealousy is grown so sick, that my  
Suspect informs me, it will ne'er be cured.  Alteza. 
I creep thus to my Tomb, indebted for  
Your love, till all the drowsy world shall rise  
To general Accounts; and than my want  
Of earlier gratitude will make my Debt  
A sin— Exit.  Altamont. 
O trivial property of life!  
Some do attend the mighty war, and make  
Divinity their yoke; till for the sport  
Of Kings th' augmentaugment the number of the dead.  
Some walk in slippery paths of Court, and feed  
On silent smiles; the gravity of mirth.  
Some travail in the search of humane Arts,  
But knowledge is reserved: She sits so high  
In Clouds, we cannot reach her with our Eye:  
Or if with patient steps we to her climb,  
Death says we cannot reach her with our time.  
For withered age arrives, when numbering on  
Our griefs not years; the tedious space of life  
We straight accuse. For life is like the span  
Forced from a gouty hand; which, as it gains  
Extent, and active length, the more it pains. Exit.    

Act the fourth.  

Scene the first.  Enter Dandolo, Besognia, Stoccata, Punto. Dandolo. 
MY journey was by stealth, else I had brought  
With these, Legions of Dukes to speak my birth.  Besognia. 
My Lady 'gins t'enquire (Sir) after sleep,  
For it grows late.  Dandolo. 
My corporal method  
I will disorder, ere I'll miss her view.  
This British Groat is thine; traffic for Pins.  Besognia. 
Make the Devil your Factor; there's a Stock  
To set up with. Flings it again. Exit.  Dandolo. 
No bribes? I am beloved.  Enter Florello, Rossa, Molard. Florello. 
Brother, I wish you would avoid my haunts.  
'tis not for my credit, nor yet for our  
Dead fathers, thus to make your person known,  
Being y'are illegitimate begot,  
By the motion of the evil Spirit.  Dandolo 
Go, let that fellow die.  〈◊〉. 
Why, let him Sir.  Punto. 
Were we his heirs, w'had cause to hasten his Decease.  Florello. 
D'ye walk like Neptune in a mask,  
Attended on by two o'th' calm Winds?  Dandolo. 
theyare Nobles of a supreme race. This is  
Stocccata called, and that Punto. They both  
Are come to warrant my creation good  
Upon the Gauntlet of a Giant or a Whale.  Flo. 
Maintain your birth— Were you my father's Bawds?  Stoccata. 
Alas, you are young (Sir) you know not us!  
We cannot swell and rant like things that would  
Be rather heard then felt: but we can thrust  
Our Whineards home, with joy and quiet too.  Punto. 
Sweet heart; you are not read i'th' rudiments  
Of wrath. You shall perceive some that are loud  
And active with their Lungs; Courage in them  
You may suspect: but when you see a cool  
And silent anger like to ours, then keep  
Your wandering hands at home. Soft Sir, beware!  Stoccata. 
Stay, wilt thou kill him (Punto) or shall I?  Punto. 
I've business now of a more serious garb.  
Dispatch him thyself. Early tomorrow  
I'll do as much for thee on the two Zwits.  Florello. 
D'ye make no more o'th' infants o'the Earth?—  Stoccata. 
Fie Sir. Draw your weapon in a Lady's  
Chamber? You still display a courage ill  
Brought up, most vainly nurtured (Sir) believe't.  Punto. 
Forbid it Heaven; but you should have free space  
T'employ your best strength in your defence.  
But Sir, 'tis sober patience makes us safe.  
If now on either's Haunch you did confer  
A kick; our secret wisdom would direct  
Us how to bear it for the time, and in  
Our own advantage too.  Florello. 
Is't possible?  Stoccata. 
Hear Sir th'advice of an old shot. I've hit  
The mark more than once in my time, and tamed  
Many a mad Boy too. If either of's  
Vouchsafe to greet ye with a hand or foot,  
Take it, and be thankful: lest by return  
Of wrath, worse do ensue.  Florello. 
Not I believe't.  Punto. 
He's young, Stoccata, carve him gently up!—  Florello. 
They take me for a Capon. What Weapons  
Fight ye with, Demiculuering or Drake?  Stoccata. 
Steel of Toledo is all we manage—  Florello. 
What then remains but Rossa and Molard,  
Assault you two, ay, my bastard Brother—  Rossa. 
Come Sir,—  Molard. 
We'll jerk you with our iron Rods—  Stoc. 
Keep your sword warm, it belongs to the scabbard—  Punto. 
O Sir, your valour still imports some want  
Of a discreet and temperate breeding.  Dandolo. 
Tumultuous fights the vestments mar.  Enter Charintha, Besognia. Charintha. 
His bounty ne'er will give me cause t'advance  
My wit: he grows much troublesome.  Dandolo. 
Lady! behold two Worthies here; Dragons  
In fight. They come to preach my birth.  
theyare known to Fame.  Florello. 
Fame blew'em from her Breech!  Dandolo. 
I say theyare Potentates; and they do awe—  Florello. 
The chrisom Babe.  Punto. 
Signior, you still forget  
The quiet and the courteous ways of spleen.  Florello. 
I will try your politic patience Sir— kicks 'em.  Punto. 
You see we still are calm—  Stoccata. 
He has but thin  
Philosophy that cannot suffer this—  Charintha. 
You marmalet Count deserves as much too.  Dandolo. 
I do oppugn the motion with my scorn.  Florello. 
D'ye scorn (Sir) to be kicked?  Dandolo. 
Pardon me Sir!  
I say't aloud; The proudest wight on Earth  
Shall not kick me, excepting your dear self.  Enter Niente. Niente. 
I have privacies (Madam) for your Ear!—  Florello. 
You, and your fierce Champions straight remove;  
crawl hence, and be not visible again:  Punto. 
Enhance our pay, we'll kill him in the darke.  Dandolo. 
Agreed, Six ducats you shall number more.  Exeunt Dandolo, Stoccata Punto. Niente. 
The neighbours say, forty Sergeants wait his  
Departure hence, who give him a new name.  Charintha. 
Hah! What do they call him?  Niente. 
Florello, and  
Report him brother unto Altamont.  Charintha. 
My Eyes are informed, Two Faces more allied  
In all devotes of view I have not seen.  
The younger brother unto Altamont;  
Fantastic too as Winds, and sillier then  
A silenced Priest. Fate had much preferred me.  Besogniae. 
Madam, it must be he. I've ta'en a strict  
Survey of's Nose; 'tis so like Altamont's.  Charintha. 
He is already so exhaust, that his  
Wise bounty can no more be Argument  
For wit: And now to have this plea for his  
Dismission is above my joy. Signior!—  Florello. 
Sweet Love, I have been bold to give away  
One or two of thy Farms to these my Followers,  
They are kind wretches both, and love thee well.  Charintha. 
Indeed?  Florello. 
Yes saith, They bid me rather than  
Thou shouldst thus pine for love to marry thee.  Charintha. 
Stand off! More distant yet.  Florello. 
Wouldst view my Limbs?—  Charintha. 
When you do make your christianity  
More known, you must be called Florello  Florello. 
Hah!  Charintha. 
forty blue Fiends wait to arrest you in  
Your passage home.  Florello. 
Madam, I am traduced.  Charintha. 
Could your abusive Arts make choice of none  
But me? Be sure this visit is your last.  Florello. 
I must not, dare not, leave ye, till I've cleared  
The errors in this calumny—  Charintha. 
Return,  
Or you affront my power, and I shall think  
Your love, is, as your person, counterfeit.  
The strength of all my Charity affords  
You but this Key, which in my Orchard Gate  
You may employ, and free you from th'Arrest.  
Besognia, I'll to bed.—  Exeunt Niente, Charintha, Besognia. Florello, Rossa, Molard look ghostly awhile at one another. Florello. 
A sober truth.  
Sums I owed when I embarked for Pisa.—  Rossa. 
Now shall I, like a melancholy worm,  
Feed on raw Roots.—  Molard. 
Sing Canticles of woe!  
I must e'en go tag points in a Garret.—  Florello. 
This Key, with rescue o'th' young Rapiers of  
The Law will bring us home.  Rossa. 
No moneys Sir?  Florello. 
Faith we must all disrobe, our Vestments old  
Stitch on again, and mortgage these to raise  
A Sum that may assist my liberty.  Molard. 
Creep in our Rags of Tinder, in our thin  
And dusty webs again.  Rossa. 
I feel a herd  
Of small cattle graze on my left shoulder.—  Florello. 
O my forward bounty! There's but sick hope  
My jewels will return; since custom shows;  
What Ladies thus from their dull Suitors get  
They do preserve as Tribute to their wit.  Exeunt omnes. Scoperta, and her Woman under a Canopy. Woman. 
The longer moiety of the Night's unspent.  Scoperta. 
Since time grew old, he slowly finds his steps  
I'th' dark: by day he swifter moves. Get thee  
To bed; The Casements of thine Eyes are shut;  
Imprisoning their dear Light.  Woman. 
Madam, good night. Exit.  Scoperta. 
Come my Sciolto, and confirm the virtue of  
Thy faith; or I disperse my Soul in Sighs,  
And make this Chair my easy monument. Roads.  Enter Altamont, Mervolle. Mervolle. 
All are departed that to Charintha  
Made visit: Your Servants have begun  
Their sleep, and Guards are placed upon the Gates.  Altamont. 
Are my bold Instruments in ambush laid,  
And scattered for the best advantage of  
Their concealed action, and their view?  Mervolle. 
They are.  Altamont. 
Expect me then beneath the Garden Mount.  Exit Mervolle. Altamont steals to Scoperta, and shows her his Arms besmeared with blood. Scoperta. 
You swelling Clouds choke my afflicted sight?  Altamont. 
The Stars like scattered embers fall. The Tears  
Of men do meet in Seas, and Seas o'erwhelm  
The Earth. Th'amazed herds howl to the Sun  
For help; whose Beams suck moisture up, till he  
Hath made the flood his draught; but vomits all  
In Showers again; such as Deucalion saw!  Scoperta. 
Nature (it seems) is frighted from her health.  Altamont. 
Behold my Coral hands, they seem to blush  
With guilt of humane sacrifice. methinks  
I look like to a Memphian Priest, that had  
Dissection made of Hecatombs t'appease  
Their false Divinity. Alteza's dead.  Scoperta. 
I want pretence to soothe my faith: Else I  
Would hope your hands deprived her not of breath?  Alta. 
Fathers that feed on Sons, and Sons that drink  
Their mother's blood, reach not that cruelty  
Which her stern guilt did throw into my Breast.  Scop. 
May some kind Saint, weep o'er your Soul until  
With holy dew, he wash this sin away.  Altamont. 
Thou dost misspend thy vestal charity.  
I'th' solitary age of Night I come,  
To find those Angels that have business now  
On Earth, in Synod here with thee: hoping  
I shall receive reward for my just Act.  Scoperta. 
The hours that gave her opportunity  
To err, were known so few; that my belief  
Concludes her guiltless of the actual sin.  Altamont. 
Before the hindmost part of her vexed Soul  
Forsook her thrilling Lips, she did confess,  
Sciolto had performed all circumstance  
That doth engender Man. Sciolto too,  
Confirmed her attestation as a truth.  Scoperta. 
Be deaf (sweet heaven) to this. Did Sciolto  
Iterate her foul speech?  Altamont. 
He did, which I,  
o'er heard, and forced a passage to his Heart.  
From its warm Throne, I snatched the aching Lump,  
And threw it straight unto a hungry Fiend.  Scoperta. 
Is he dead too? The Genius of the world  
Is sick, all Forms must cease.  Altamont. 
Dost weep for him?  Scoperta. 
O Sir, should I restrain the flux, my Eyes  
Would drop from their loose Strings instead of Tears.  Altamont. 
This obsequy, doth make Compassion sin.  Scoperta. 
O Sciolto. Art thou so early fled,  
To taste eternity, and unknown fate.  Altamont. 
Stint thy hoarse Dirge, pernicious Whore. I had  
Some hope, the interview that you enjoyed  
Might be enforced by his unruly strength:  
But now, I find it was with thy consent  
Procured. Y'have struggled in each others lust.  
All now is evident as light.  Scoperta. 
I bring  
My innocence, to' th'clear survey of Heaven.  Altamont. 
Though dull, to Men of harsh, strict discipline,  
Yet know, I have some cunning in my rage.  
I came to fright this secret from thy Heart:  
My Hands I did not bathe in humane blood,  
Alteza, and Sciolto are alive.  Sco. 
This joy will make my Heart dance in my Breast.—  Alta. 
Sink into th'Earth, where sorrow dwells. Ere yond—  
Dim Morn shall add one Hour unto her Age,  
Sciolto's Soul shall take a doubtful flight:  
It only stayed to mingle company  
With thine. My anger was so just, I Would  
Not prosecute thy life; until my doubts  
Were cleared. Go, go, and number o'er thy Beads.  Scoperta 
Is there in all your veins, no drop (unmixed  
With Gaul) that from our Mother is derived,  
And so may tempt compassion from your Breast?  Altamont. 
Alteza mourns, as if t'expiate  
A Nation with her grief. Hadst thou revealed  
Such penitence, it might have softened my  
Decree. But thou art sour and stern of Soul.  Scoperta. 
No mercy, for our Noble Mother's sake?  Altamont. 
My Mother when she lay, a cold pattern for  
The figure on her Tomb, spent her last breath  
In praise of thee. Quoth she; For my sake use  
Thy Sister well: th'acqaintance that she hath  
In Heaven is great. I'th' blossom of her growth  
She shall o'ercome the Eyes of men, and in  
Her Age, she shall have skill in Prophecy.  
But O false lore! Our Mother kind, (whom I  
A Sibyl held) thou now hast proved a Witch.  Scoperta. 
I am too weak to force from your belief  
Mistakes so strong.  Altamont. 
Go pray, the Hours are swift:  
I've purposed thee a prisoner here till my  
Return.— This is a sickly rheum and not  
Compunction in my Eyes.—  Scoperta. 
The last of all  
My merits shall be called obedience to  
Your will: If you do owe a kindness to  
yourself; think on Religion and the Laws. Exit.  Altamont. 
Nature do thou direct my spleen. The Laws  
Are sinfully contrived. justice should weigh  
The present crime, not future inference  
On Deeds. But now they cheapen blood: 'tis spilled  
To punish the example, not the guilt.  
Religion too, on our Italian Earth,  
Grows like the Cedar big and high; but yields  
No fruit. The abject race of men she doth  
Confound with hope, and bids them not obey,  
T'augment humility, but her own sway. Exit.  Enter Mervolle, Sciolto, and three Mutes. Mervolle. 
Your strength does but entangle ye the more.  Sciolto. 
I'll not be trussed (Sir) like a Pullet thus—  Mervolle. 
Leave nothing that can minister defence.  
Disarm him of his Pins.  Sciolto. 
Pare my nails too.—  Mervolle. 
You shall be angered straight, till you bestow  
The time to bite ''em off. Soon as we spied  
You scaling o'er the Orchard wall; we guessed  
The hopes of your visit. There have been snares  
Laid for your feet, ere since you left the House.—  Exeunt Mervolle, Mutes, having rifled him of his Pistols and his sword. Sciolto. 
There is some danger in this chance, my dull  
Heart beats with slow, and ominous leisure.—  Scoperta from her window. Scoperta. 
Pale Planet shine! It must be he. My Ears  
Persuade me they o'ertook his voice. Sir, Sir!—  Sciolto. 
Hah! Scoperta? A cruel destiny  
Hath murdered all our joy. endeavouring an  
Add all for stealth of thee, I was surprised,  
Disarmed; even here i'th' presence of my Stars.  Scoperta. 
There's not a Star in all the Firmament  
Belongs to us.  Sciolto. 
O none! Or if there be,  
Their influence is so weak that at  
This distance Babes may blow'em out. Sure our  
Creation we have took unknown to Fate.  Scoperta. 
Our love was of too nimble growth unless  
Philosophy give hope, that after death  
We may converse; this is the last of all  
Our interviews.  Sciolto. 
That fatal Prophecy  
Will shake my Soul from out my flesh; and like  
Some tame Hermit I shall unwounded die.  Scoperta. 
The word that's heard abbreviates our discourse  
And live: the Sand that limits both is fall'n  
Into the reach of number now: and I  
Have spent with thee the hasty time prefixed  
For a devout employment of my Beads.  
The murderers are within.  Sciolto. 
Grim wild horror!  
Hast thou no weapons there that I may use  
T'annihilate their vigour and their shape?  Scoperta. 
Unto thy Lips I'd throw a kiss; but with  
The strings of my poor solitary Lute  
They've bound my hands!—  Sciolto 
O my hot rage! I could  
Spit fire till I enkindle yonder Grove,  
Raising a flame that might perplex the Earth,  
And make'em think Heaven had dropped a Planet.  Scoperta. 
And I could weep until I quenched that flame,  
And drew suspicion that a second Flood  
Was come to drown mortality again!  Sciolto. 
This sudden elevation of the Soul,  
Presageth death: as if it practised how  
To rise, and climb ere she begins her flight.  Scoperta. 
Whence is that noise?  Sciolto. 
I'll be as calm as are Arabian winds.  
Scoperta, stay; Unheard we will converse.—  Sco. 
They come, they come, dear love, for evermore farewell---  The Mutes snatch her from the Window. Sciolto. 
O for the Giant race, to help me heave  
Those Mountains up; that I might bury this  
Proud Structure and myself! Yond burly oak  
(Whose Roots reach hell) I'll manage till I pound  
And batter all the Marble into Flower.—  Enter Altamont, Mervolle. Mer. 
You have o'erheard, what will your knowledge grieve.  Altamont. 
Her Soul is ill prepared:  Mervolle. 
I gave command  
They should awhile delay her death, lest want  
Of leisure might destroy her penitence.  Altamont. 
Remain within the summons of my call:  
And leave me here. I charge thee by thy Vow,  
And our friendships dear use, that thou depart.  Exit Mervolle. Sciolto. 
Speak what thou art?  Altamont. 
Some call me Altamont.  
I've seen thee walk armed like a magazine,  
With small Artillery entrenched: but thou  
Art fitly now prepared for sufferance.  Sciolto. 
Not thy tame sacrifice, but victory  
I'll be. For naked as I am I will  
Resist my death; and since unfurnished to  
Revenge, yet I shall trouble thy best strength.—  Altamont. 
Sciolto, though, thou merit treachery.  
And opposition that, by darkest stealth,  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of thy luxurious soul,  
Yet I will give thee fair and equal Game.  Sciolto. 
False tyranny!  Altamont. 
Stay. This I will perform.  
And 'tis to know the rigour of thy might,  
What wondrous flame and spirits do possess  
Thy spacious Breast.  Sciolto. 
There's relish of intent!  Altamont. 
I'd learn the providence and justice of  
My Fate; try if they'll let me fall before  
Th'encounter of thy bestial strength; thou that  
augment'st thy sins t'o'ercome the memory  
Of Heaven: in silly hope, th'accompts may be  
Unwillingly surveyed, because theyare long.  
Receive thy Sword.—  Sciolto. 
Miracle of bounty!  Altamont. 
If whilst we struggle in the pride of hope  
Thou canst so weaken my defence, that I  
Become disarmed; thy liberty is gained.  Sciolto. 
With solemn penitence I could accuse  
My crimes 'gainst thee: but grief's akin to fear.  
This great demeanour of thy spleen divides  
Th'intent of Gratitude. I know not which  
T'afford thee most, my envy, or my love.  Alta. 
The moon hath now put on her brightest Robe;  
My anger too, doth carry fire enough  
To light us to the charge. Guard well thy Heart.—  Sciolto. 
A little respite give,— Must we needs fight?  Altamont. 
You then would cozen me of my revenge?—  Sciolto. 
Yet stay!— Know I do love thy Sister well.  Alta. 
Mark (sweet Heaven) with what exalted triumph  
He boasts the foul remembrance of his sin.—  Thrusts at him. Sciolto. 
Stiff as a column!—  Altamont. 
Th'Arcadian wrestler told  
Young Theseus so; but he did yield as if  
His sinews had been made of silk. So fierce?—  Sciolto. 
I'll work thy strength so low, that Virgins shall  
Have power to shackle thee with spinners threads—  Altamont. 
Thus I will bore thy flesh, till thou become  
Transparent as a Sieve—  Sciolto. 
This closure hath  
Entangled us, let's make another charge?  Altamont. 
even thus divided Billows part, that they  
May meet in greater foam—  Sciolto. 
Wilt thou not bleed?  
Not yet?— I skirmish with unbodied Air.  Altamont. 
Thy guilt betrays thy hand unto mistakes,  
And thus my injured Spirits greet thy life—  Sciolto. 
That Wound gapes like to a yawning Giant.  Altamont 
So hot is thy lascivious blood, that as  
I sprinkle it, it scalds my hands—  Sciolto. 
I reel  
Before thy breast, and stumble at a Wart—  Falls. Alta. 
Thy Sword's my Captive now. Mervolle, hoa!  Sciolto. 
I have some courage yet, left in my Teeth,  
If thou art kind, come nearer with my Throat—  Enter Mervolle, Mutes. Altamont. 
O the Celestial powers are just. See there,  
He bleeds like to a Spring, that borders on  
The Rubic Sea, whilst I remain untouched.  Mervolle. 
Has he not lost the benefit of breath?  Alta. 
Stop all his wounds, and give him time to spend  
The rest of's moisture in repentant Tears—  They bind him with scarves. Sciolto. 
My wounds closed up, what means this courtesy?  Altamont. 
That thou might'st leisure have to pray. Be sure  
(Mervolle. )when's devotions have arrived  
Unto a powerful length; you strangle him.  Sciolto. 
Can thy young honour stoop to such low flight?  Altamont. 
Unto resistance equal, I exposed  
My strength, to try thy courage and my fate.  
This was my justice to myself: Justice  
I'll give to thee: Thy crimes do merit death.  Sciolto. 
O sooth my last ambition then. be thou  
My Executioner.  Altamont. 
Thou art disarmed,  
Thy blooming honours now are withered on  
Thy Crest. I should deprive my Anger of  
Her fame, to be thy active opposite.  Sciolto. 
Scoperta, stay. My Soul shall hover straight  
With thine. Stay for me in the Milky-path.  Altamont. 
Let Italy avouch the just demean  
Of my revenge. Dull Britons know no wrath.  
Th'unskilful youth, that equal Duel give  
To him that first incensed the blood; but tempt  
The courtesy of Fate, such take delight  
To stroke abuse, pay Injuries, with right.  Mervolle. 
This way (Sir) leads unto your Grave. You shall  
Have space, to gain some friendship with the Saints—  Exeunt Mervolle, Sciolto, Mutes. Altamont. 
A sudden frost congeals my Heart; I shrink  
Like crooked Age; I am unwieldy on  
My joints, as if my veins were empty grown.—  Opens his Doublet. 
Wounded. His point has stolen into my Breast.  
Oh help. I've yet some use for life. Th'nice search,  
I made to know Heavens secret justice is  
Avenged. (Bold Earth!) I weep into the Sea,  
And sigh t'augment the winds. Repentance is  
An immaterial Salve, it cures th'unsound  
Diseased Soul, but not the Body's wound.  Reels off, Exit.   

Act the fift.  

Scene the first.  Enter Niente, Alteza in her Night Gown. Alteza. 
A Guard upon my Gates, and have they there  
Been placed ere since the first arrival of  
The Night?  Niente. 
Mervolle keeps the Keys, he'll let  
No servant be awake about the house.  Alteza. 
The Sun begins to bathe i'th' Mornings Tears:  
Hast thou Lucio called, and bid Pytho mix  
With him in a sad Song?  Niente. 
I have Madam.  Alteza. 
No more (Niente) shalt thou service do  
For me: last night I told thee I had lost  
My vanity: that courtly Lady serve  
Who finds it first. But lest thy wants augment  
Thy Sins, my charity affords thee this—  Flings him a Purse. Niente. 
Well I'm resolved to mend, or become worse.  Exit. 

A Song between two Boys.  

1  
THis Lady, ripe, and calm, and fresh,  
As Eastern Summers are;  
Must now forsake both Time, and Flesh,  
T'add Light to some small Star.   

2  
Whilst yet alive, each Star decayed  
She may relieve with Light:  
But Death leads Beauty to a shade  
More cold more dark, than Night.   

1  
The saucy faith of man doth blind  
His pride, till it conduce  
To Destine all his abject kind  
For some Eternal use.   

2  
But ask not Bodies (doomed to die)  
To what abode they go;  
Since Knowledge is, but sorrow's Spy,  
It is not safe to know.    Enter Mervolle. Mervolle. 
Howle, howl, until you wake the inhabitants  
Of Graves! till you disquiet all the Spheres;  
And put harmonious Nature out of tune,  Alteza. 
What means this fatal summon, that doth make  
Amazement cold, as is Iberian Ice.  Mer. 
Great Altamont (your Lord) who still was prompt  
To curb th'incitements of your wrath; threw wise  
Advantage from his reach, and struggled with  
The bold Sciolto, in an equal war.  Alteza. 
Down holy flame. When Hope doth sicken so,  
I would not have the power to prophecy.  Mervolle. 
The surly Lion, and the testy Boar,  
Did ne'er maintain, resistance with like fierce  
And ruinous return of strength: for from  
Their Eyes such Lightning flew, that Villagers  
(Whose early labours tilled the Earth) did think  
Rash Phaeton did scourge the fiery Teem  
Again. Sciolto chipped, gagged with wounds;  
Did bleed away his strength. This his false Sword  
Your Husband bade me prostrate at your feet—  
And 'tis the last memorial of his love.  Alteza. 
Ambiguous History! He conqueror,  
Yet this the last memorial of his love!  Mer. 
Wise Heaven did mock your Altamont: for whilst  
o'er joyed with victory, he spies in's Breast  
A large deep wound, and thence his Soul took flight.  Alteza. 
O my poor Lord! how soon hast thou begun  
Thy immortality. The hasty Spark  
So upward mounts, and then no more is seen.  Mervolle. 
I'th' last remainder of his dying speech,  
He briefly told his Testament; which doth  
Contain employments sad, and such as you  
Must actuate straight. To please his Ghost, show now  
A little loyalty and love, Rise, and  
Be conducted by my slow steps. I will  
Inform your knowledge all that he enjoined  Alteza. 
Th'obedience which I scanted to his life,  
Unto his memory I'll strictly pay.  Mervolle. 
You have a loss that doth outspeak complaint▪  
If sweet and pliant discipline of Courts,  
If feats of mighty War, or sober Arts  
Advance th'esteem of humane quality;  
'Tis fit your Altamont we strive to raise,  
Above the charity or skill of praise,  Enter Florello, Rossa, Molard, in their old habits, Dandolo, Stoccata, Punto, bound. Florello. 
Who did assist your passage to this walk?  Rossa. 
Mervolle Sir, with whom we used your name.  
Do you observe the Count, and his two lean  
janissaries?  Florello. 
What in captivity?  Rossa. 
Certain stratagems (Sir) have been levelled  
'Gainst the Prerogative of your life royal.  
Molard. Ere since the hope of day, they waited your  
Descent from the Cloister Bridge: but doubting  
Their own courage, and meeting us disguised,  
Thus in our original weeds; they would  
Have bribed us for two Pistolets t'assist  
The prosecution of your death. Our Grace  
And strength bound them to their good behaviour.  Florello. 
They walk like Caterpillars on a Leaf.—  Takes Dandolo aside. 
Yield me the cause why you contrived my death.  Dandolo. 
Good faith (Sir) for no harm.  Florello. 
Give me a Knife!—  They search Dandolo. Rossa. 
Here is one belonged to Hans van Geulicke.  Florello cuts Dandolos bonds, and gives him the Knife. Florello. 
Take yourself solemnly aside and cut  
Your Throat! do't straight, and neatly too, y''had best.  Dandolo 
The motion I dislike, 'tis dangerous.  Florello. 
Have you three throats, can you revive as oft  
As you are killed, to take new punishment,  
That thus you mutiny 'gainst kind reason?  Dandolo. 
These thousand years 't has been observed, th'eldest  
Brothers of her house (Sir) could ne'er endure  
To cut their Throats.  Florello. 
'tis fit (dear Count) that you  
Must die; I'm else unjust unto myself.  Dandolo. 
With sapient Arts, we will project to save  
Th'reputation of your justice.  Florello. 
As how?  Dandolo. 
I will promulgate I am dead, and both,  
My Champions here shall swear't.  Stoccata. 
We'll venture one  
Commandment to save another sir.  Florello. 
This cannot satisfy. howe'er (Sir Count)  
If you will patiently accept your death.  
I'll furnish ye with Guides, for your last jaunt.  
You Punto, and Stoccata too! No more  
Of your philosophy. Fix Brow, to Brow,  
Knock out, each others Brains, and show your Lord  
The way, unto th'Elysian-field. Do it  
At first encounter too; For I'm in haste—  Stoccata. 
'slight Sir, I ne'er was in Elysium, I.  
Nor should I find the way thither, though Signior  
Argos, lent me ninety Nine of his Eyes.  Florello. 
Then Punto shall be conduct to ye both.  Punto. 
Good Signior, any courtesy but this  
You may command. You still do most presume  
Upon the calmest, and th'easy Nature.  Rossa. 
They all are pictures to th'Law. If you'll  
bestow'em but as prisoners unto us,  
They shall suffer, or give us large ransom.  Florello. 
How? a ransom? These Two are poorer than  
Carthusian-monks: lean as a Romish Lent.  
Slaves, who pretend sickness, that they may lie  
In Hospitals to steal the Sheets. Acorns  
They eat, such as westphalia-hogs do scorn.  Rossa. 
The Count (Sir) will untie his Strings for'em.  Dandolo. 
Ransom, I'll give: for I do hate to die.  Florello. 
The ransom must  
Be small. suffle'em together: and pack  
'Em hence. I will not hear a syllable  
Of thanks. Rossa, see'em horsed for Milan.  Exeunt all but Florello. Enter Charintha to him. Charintha. 
O dismal change! does your victorious Sword  
Hang now on aged Belt of Bandoleer?  
Is your high Plume moulted to a sprig, small,  
As if 'twere made o'th' wing of a Beetle.  Florello. 
Who can resist the frowns of destiny?  
My sufferance gives my merits their reward.  Charintha. 
Your speech was wont to be in a more high  
Exalted Key: loud as a Gulf! Your heart  
Was full of jigs, and your feet did wander  
Even like autumn's dust.  Florello. 
Affect so much  
Humility as may employ your thoughts  
With more compassion on my ruinous fall.  Charintha. 
I threw on you perpetual banishment.  Florello. 
I'm come to manifest the sin of my  
Disguise, though it proceeded more from hope  
T'enjoy your person then your wealth. Witness  
Each nimble Register of humane Thoughts!  Charintha. 
'Has got a sweet and powerful way in speech.  Florello. 
This is my real shape, in which I do  
Appear, a thin and withered Soldier borne,  
I'th' later age of war: When glory's sick,  
And honour trivial as the spleen of Babes.  Charintha. 
He was not wont to use this Dialect.  Florello. 
Grant now (thou beauteous wealth of Italy)  
An expiation for my crimes; For know,  
I would be clean when I shall dedicate  
My future vows to th'absent Altar of  
Thy Heart: lest I do lose the use of my  
Idolatry; and make repentance sin.  Charintha. 
Do all harmonious gifts reside within  
Such course and humble weeds?  Florello. 
Destroy me not  
With scorn: I know you Ladies most delight  
I'th' frail surface of the body, in name,  
And guilded pomp, which was the fatal cause  
I practised them on you:  Charintha. 
Y' endear the worst  
Of fashion unto us, by making it  
A custom in yourselves. If men did not  
Provide such follies for our sight, we knew  
Not where to find their use, for they digest  
Them first, than they become our nourishment.  Florello. 
Vain men. We alter our creation so  
With female shapes, that Heaven scarce knows its stamp  
And Nature (that distinction still commands  
T'each Sex) forgets the work of her own hands.  Charintha. 
I ne'er beheld a feature masculine  
Till now: had you but thus appeared unto  
My first survey, I might have loved in haste,  
And yet excused the rashness of my eyes.  
I 'gin to feel some danger in my stay.  Florello. 
Ere you depart, a small memorial from  
Your hands, I crave, to wear upon my crest,  
That it may tempt kind fate to look on me,  
When I in glorious battle strive; and  
I will absent myself for evermore.  Charintha. 
I nothing keep for such sad use, as to  
Deprive me of so sweet a miracle.  Florello. 
Grant my request, or I'll pursue your steps  Charintha. 
If you continue still to beg, I fear  
My bounty will prove rash: and I shall give  
So much of love, as you can ne'er repay.—  Florello. 
O my auspicious stars! Should I not now  
Make use of your good influence, I were  
Unworthy of your care.— Enter Mervolle.  Mervolle. 
The choice you make  
Can ne'er deserve your chaste and lawful fire  
She is Florello of a heart and strain  
Too insolent for nuptial happiness:  Florello. 
Thou hast been called my friend. But if thy spleen  
Continue a dislike of her, I'll blow thee from  
My memory, and with my chiefest strength  
I'll punish thy mistake—  Mervolle. 
A desolate grief  
Will more become thy breast then this proud rage.  
Thy brother's dead, and his decease caused by  
Her sister's pride.  Charintha. 
My sister's husband dead.  Florello. 
Into my ears thou hast a horror poured  
That hath already stiffened every hair  
On my amazed skull into a Reed.  Charintha. 
Wilt thou neglect to cherish the swift growth  
Of our new loves?  Mervolle. 
Like to her sister she  
But counterfeits a passionate esteem,  
That thy fond Nature she might tempt beneath  
Her rule. If Altamont be dear unto  
Thy thought, leave her, and straight attend his Hearse,  
That in the Chapel waits thy obsequy. Exit.  Charintha. 
Th' inspired Needle's not more true unto  
The North, the Sun to his diurnal race,  
Nor Rivers to the Main; then I to thee.  Florello. 
Sorrow and love, my senses do divide.  
If I remain with thee, then only love  
I serve, if with sad steps, I tread the way  
Unto my Brother's Hearse, I both obey. Exit.  Charin. 
Thou dost requite the scorns which I did throw  
On thy first love. My destiny must needs  
Be tragic now: since the contracted scope  
Of all my joy, rests in diseased hope. Exit.  Enter Mervolle, Alteza. Mervolle. 
Behold the Throne, your Lord commanded me  
Prepare: and here you must be pleased to sit.—  Alteza. 
Can this advancement ought refer to your  
Delight, or to my Lords last Testament?  Mervolle. 
justice hath laid her sword within your reach:  
And you have power to sheath it so; that where  
You execute, you may a murder do,  
Or sacrifice. Bring the delinquents in.  Enter Sciolto, Scoperta, at several doors, each led in, bound and hoodwinked, by two Mutes. Alteza. 
Sciolto and Scoperta still alive?  Sciolto. 
Thy spirit Altamont ascended with  
The love of all my chiefest orisons.  Mervolle. 
These two were by your husband's jealousy  
And hate, ordained for death: but ere that we  
Could actuate his will; his noble breast  
Received a wound, that bade him straight provide  
For 's own eternity. The last of all  
His speech, referred them both unto your power.  
You may appoint them live or die: and I'm  
Obliged by vow, to see performed what you  
Command.  Alteza. 
O dire, sinister accident!  Mervolle. 
Your jewels, and your wealth, I have packed up,  
To ease our flight, when we have finished  
This usurpation of the Laws. Let them  
Enjoy their eyes; that they may know their judge.  The Mutes unmuffle'em. Scoperta. 
Hah, Sciolto!  Sciolto. 
Scoperta, O my Girl!  Mervolle. 
Keep them divided from each others reach.  Sciolto. 
I thought thy beauties had been dark and cold,  
And thou'dst (ere this) begun an easy sleep  
Within thy silent Grave.  Scoperta. 
And I supposed thee fled  
A Harbinger to Heaven: with purpose to  
Bespeak my Billet near to thine.  Sciolto. 
Since this sad night, did blind the drowsy world,  
They thus have manacled my strength. They've watched  
My hardy violence so tame, that now  
Each feathered Forester roosts in my Beard.  Scoperta. 
We cannot (Sir) be mortal long; therefore  
Receive a hope our sufferance will cease.  Mervolle. 
Sciolto, now requite the leisure I  
Have given thy penitence, by rendering straight  
Unto the world, how far thou didst corrupt  
These Ladies with thy guilt. For know, I still  
Persuaded Altamont thy lust enjoyed  
No more, than what concerned wishes or hope.  
And I was ushered toth' belief of this,  
By knowledge of those secret spies which he  
Employed to watch your personal removes,  
About the House: whose labours ever missed  
Of finding that success he prophesied.  Sciolto. 
I do confess m'imagination once  
Did sin against them both: but if it ere  
Extended unto act; let me lose Heaven.  Mervolle. 
If Altamont were now alive, he would  
Permit this utterance clear his faith. Madam,  
You hear that he Scoperta vindicates  
By oath; though his own crime doth carry an  
Import more evident, and black; but yet  
When you behold his feature, and his youth,  
Your mercy may conceive 'twere pity that  
He should so soon depart from time and flesh.  Alteza. 
Sir, you have skill to know my womanhood  
Is weak as ignorance, or sleep. Why should  
You seat me here, thus to dispose of Law:  
That ne'er knew any justice, but revenge.  Mervolle. 
Your sentence I am bound to execute.  Alteza. 
Have I not heard you say, my Husband did  
Ordain them both for death? 'twould ill become  
The duty of my knowledge t'alter his  
Decree.  Mervolle. 
Keep your intent, I will usurp  
The office of your tongue. Mutes, strangle them.  Sciolto. 
If in thy functions, gentle Nature claim  
An interest, let us embrace, and use  
Solemnity, before we do forsake  
Each other's view.  Mervolle. 
I grant what you  
Request: make your performance short; whilst I  
Reveal m'opinions (Lady) to your ear.  Sciolto, and Scoperta kneel to each other. Sciolto. 
O Scoperta! this is the last of all  
Our busy dreams; what we possess is but  
Imaginary now: Thy shadow I,  
Embrace, not thee: for like to it, thou'lt fly  
From my enjoyment, and no more be seen!—  Scoperta. 
So much of various fate, so soon expressed  
Two lovers yet ne'er knew; since sympathy  
First dwelled on Earth.  Sciolto. 
Ere long we must be cold,  
Cold, cold my Love, and wrapped in stubborn sheets  
Of lead: housed in a deep, a gloomy vault;  
Where no society will mix with us,  
But what shall quicken from our tainted limbs.  Scoperta. 
Whilst still there's noise, and business in the world;  
Whilst still the wars grow loud, and battles join;  
Whilst Kings their Queens salute in ivory beds.  Sciolto. 
But O! how many Ages may succeed  
In heaven's dark Calendar; ere we again  
Material be, and meet in our warm flesh?  Sco. 
And whether that our souls, when they're preferred  
To taste eternity will ever think  
Upon the bargains of our humane love,  
Is unto me a desolate suspense.  Sciolto. 
Philosophy doth seem to laugh upon  
Our hopes, and wise Divinity belies  
Our knowledge, with our Faith: jealous Nature,  
Hath locked, her secrets in a Cabinet,  
Which Time ne'er saw: and he that in it pries  
Unto Religion forfeits his bold Eyes.  Scoperta. 
Our Reason frights our Senses to distrust.  
My Lips do beg from thine a Legacy—  Sciolto. 
O sad account. How is my bounty now  
Exhaust: This is the last I ere shall give—  Mervolle. 
Blind them again and stay their deaths awhile.  
Madam, your knowledge is already taught  
Scoperta's innocence. Sciolto's deed  
Stands near your punishment; but distant far  
From remedy. Mark, his goodly feature.  
With what magnificence he's built? Besides  
This Morn, his Uncle too (the wealthiest of  
Our Senators) is dead, and has been pleased  
T'entitle him his Heir.  Alteza 
Should I not chide?  Mervolle. 
Think how you loved him once. He will (to save  
His life) discard Scoperta's interest,  
And marry you: a happiness complete  
For both  Alteza. 
Hah?  Sciolto. 
Slaves. Stretch now your Cordage out,  
Pull till my Eyes do start like Bullets from my Skull,  
Murdering where they fly—  Alteza. 
Hold. hold.— Did my  
dead Lord bid you perform, what I decree?  Mervolle. 
He did: and I assured it with my Vows.  Alteza. 
Hear then without resistance of my breath,  
Sciolto is condemned by Law; as known  
The fatal Instrument that did deprive  
My Lord, of precious life; so he must die.  
'twere fit my care affected mercy in  
Scoperta's doom; she's Sister to my Lord:  
But her sweet innocence doth make her safe.  
She must remain among the living still;  
And in her room, I do condemn myself.  
For my stern pride, was the original cause  
Of this black Tragedy. Kind 〈…〉  
Esteem your Vows, see my edict 〈◊〉:  
And give me privilege first to 〈◊〉  
its wrath— She descends.  Mervolle. 
This carries wonder in't  Scoperta. 
I'll not resign these bonds of Death, unless  
Sciolto share in the compassion too—  Alteza. 
Give me your pardon (gentle Maid). I have  
Deprived you of a Brother that deserved  
More Pyramids, then all th'Egyptian Kings.  
Instead of him, receive my prayers, my wealth.  
When o'er his Herse you raise a Monument,  
And fix my Marble-Figure near to his,  
Create me weeping.— I shall go, with so  
Much sorrow, to my Grave, that being dead,  
My Ashes will have power to penetrate  
The Stones. Release this pious Lady and  
Perform your execution upon me—  One o'th' Mutes pulls of his Vizard & discover himself to be Altamont. Altamont. 
Away you dreadful Ministers of death.  
The Laurel Sprig, the Myrtle nicely wreathed  
In Coronets, my Love deserves; for she  
Is grown too good for Earth.—  Alteza. 
My Altamont.— She sinks.  Mervolle unmussles, and unbinds Sciolto, and Scoperta, who straight embrace each other. Sciolto. 
This deceit brings wonder, great as our joy.  
They that divide us now, must use the strength  
Of swelling floods, and help of Thunder too—  Altamont. 
Put all thy beauties on again, and smile  
At the return of our long absent love:  
My wound is closed, and will have instant cure—  Alteza. 
The Earth groaned at my fall, so heavy are  
My sins, so much they did increase my weight.  Altamont. 
Rise gently like a flame, from incense sprung.  
Mervolle, to appease my jealousy  
Ordained me this disguises that I might hear  
How in your sentence you behaved your love  
To me: Hadst thou continued false, I had  
Increased the anger of thy fate: but now  
Thou art endeared unto my heart again.—  Alteza. 
Sir, I have hope my future loyalty  
Will manifest, your mercy well bestowed.—  Altamont. 
Scoperta, thou'lt excuse the carriage of  
My doubts, I looked on thee with th'eyes of love,  
And love is still too strict in her survey.—  Scoperta. 
My memory would sin, should it record  
Ought that might nourish my dislike of you:  
You made me taste of sorrow, not of wrath.  Sciolto. 
'tis I, that have most needful use of your  
Kind charity: forget my errors past,  
And to oblige my future gratitude  
Give Hymen leave to know your sister for  
My wife. My uncle's death hath lent me power  
Still to maintain her in such quality  
As shall become my dear respects to you,  
The greatness of her virtue, and her blood.  Altamont. 
Take her, and be as tender of her health,  
As Heaven hath o'er thy wounds; which in their cure  
Express much miracle.— My joy's so swell  
My breast, that I do find there's danger in  
Delight. How blessed Mervolle are thy Arts?  Mervolle. 
Some Angels care assisted the success.  Enter Charintha, Besognia. Charintha. 
Not Altamont's return to life, nor yet  
Sciolto's and Scoperta's glad reprieve  
Nor all the joys in reconcilement of  
Your loves expressed, can my cold senses please:  
Florello is unkind.—  Besognia. 
The little God  
Hath lately pricked her with his bawdy shaft.  Altamont. 
Tell me Charintha, is thy love sincere:  
Such as i'th' simple youth of Nature is  
Exchanged by lovers with a harmless plight?  Charintha. 
It is sincere, as holy Hermit's vows,  
And true, as their confession at their deaths.  Mervolle. 
Appear Florello, and receive thy doom.  Enter Florello. Altamont. 
It was Mervolle's care thus to assure  
Thy Mistress real love, and constancy  
Ere thou shouldst give too much of thine away.  
But now receive her from Alteza's hand.—  Alteza. 
Charintha, thy election is so safe  
Thou never wilt repent the judgement of  
Thy sight. He cannot be so near allied  
Unto the blood of Altamont, but he  
Must needs participate in virtue too.  Charintha. 
We will embrace each other until Age,  
Deprive our courteous sinews of extent.—  Florello. 
The gentle Turtle shall direct us how  
T'augment our loves; the Eagle to renew  
Our youth, and we will strive to imitate  
The crooked Vine in our increase.—  Altamont. 
joy, joy!  
The firmament is now unmasked, and each  
Of us, hath found his star.  Florello. 
My loved Sister,  
I have o'erheard the story of your griefs,  
And from this noble Signior, I must beg  
A faith endeared, the name of Brother too.  Sciolto. 
You shall be precious to my eyes as day.  Enter Rossa, Molard, fantastically clothed in Dandolo's habit. Molard. 
The great Dandolo and his Giant whelps  
Are mounted on a Mule.  Rossa. 
Naked they ride  
As scouts of Tartary they're victualled with  
A single egg.  Altamont. 
What are these, walking Drums?  Florel. 
theyare such your knowledge shall affect: they must  
Enjoy what I achieve. Dull men, o'war,  
The Trophy of my victory behold,  
She's mine: bow, and do homage to her lip.—  Alt. 
Still thou dost mourn (Alteza) like a Dove. Soft music.  
Hark, hark how the Roman-Organ seems  
T'invoke the Thracian lyre; the Cymbals of  
judea, call Castilian-Cornets forth,  
And German-Viols wake the Tuscan Lute.  
The sacred noise attend, that whilst we hear,  
Our souls may dance into each other's ear.  Exeunt omnes.   
FINIS.