 
Ferdinando. Lucina. My words, my looks, my thoughts, are all on thee: Ferdinando is Lucina's only joy. Ferdinando. What pledge thereof? Lucina. An oath, a hand, a kiss. Ferdinando. O holy oath, fair hand, and sugar'd kiss! O, never may Ferdinando lack such bliss! But say, my dear, when shall the gates of heaven Stand all wide open for celestial gods, With gladsome looks to gaze at Hymen's robes? When shall the graces or Lucina's hand With rosy chaplets deck my golden tresses; And Cupid bring me to thy nuptial bed, Where thou in joy and pleasure must attend A blissful war with me, thy chiefest friend? Lucina. Full-fraught with love, and burning with desire, I long have long'd for sight Ferdinando. Then that same day, whose warm and pleasant sight Brings in the spring with many gladsome flowers, Be our first day of joy and perfect peace: Till when receive this precious carcanet, In sign that as the links are interlaced, So both our hearts are still combin'd in one, Which never can be parted but by death.
Lucina. And if I live, this shall not be forgot: But see, Ferdinando, where Perseda comes, Whom women love for virtue, men for beauty; All the world loves, none hates but envy. Basilisco. All hail, brave cavalier: good morrow, madam, The fairest shine that shall this day be seen, Except Perseda's beauteous excellence, Shame to love's queen, and empress of my thoughts. Ferdinando. Marry, thrice happy is Perseda's chance, To have so brave a champion to her 'squire. Basilisco. Her 'squire? her knight! and whoso else denies. Shall feel the rigour of my sword and lance. Ferdinando. O, sir, not I. Lucina. Here is none but friends; yet let me challenge you. For gracing me with a malignant style, That I was fairest, and yet Perseda fairer; We ladies stand upon our beauties much. Perseda. Herein, Lucina, let me buckler him. Basilisco. Not Mars himself had e'er so fair a buckler. Perseda. Love makes him blind; and blind can judge no colour. Lucina. Why, then, the mends is made, and we still friends. Perseda. Still friends? still foes! she wears my carcanet. Ah, false Erastus, how am I betray'd! [Aside. Lucina. What ails you, madam, that your colour changes? Perseda. A sudden qualm; I therefore take my leave. Lucina. We'll bring you home. Perseda. No, I shall soon get home. Lucina. Why, then, farewell: Ferdinando, let's away. [Exeunt Ferdinando and Lucina. Basilisco. Say, world's bright star, whence springs this sudden change; Is it unkindness at the little praise I gave Lucina with my glosing style? Perseda. No, no; her beauty far surpasseth mine, And from my neck her neck hath won the praise. Basilisco. What is it, then? If love of this my person, By favour and by justice of the heavens, At last have pierc'd through thy translucent breast, And thou misdoubt'st, perhaps, that I'll prove coy; O, be assur'd, 'tis far from noble thoughts To tyrannise over a yielding foe. Therefore be blithe, sweet love, abandon fear, I will forget thy former cruelty. Perseda. Ah, false Erastus! full of treachery. Basilisco. I always told you that such coward knights Were faithless swains, and worthy no respect. But tell me, sweet love, what is his offence? That I with words and stripes may chastise him, And bring him bound for thee to tread upon. Perseda. Now must I find the means to rid him hence. [Soliloq.] Go thou forthwith, arm thee from top to toe, And come an hour hence unto my lodging; Then will I tell thee this offence at large, And thou in my behalf shalt work revenge. Basilisco. Ay, thus should men of valour be employ'd; This is good argument of thy true love: I go; make reck'ning that Erastus dies, Unless (forewarn'd) the weakling coward flies. [Exit Basilisco. Perseda. Thou foolish coward! flies? Erastus lives, The fairest shap'd, That ere sun saw within our hemisphere: My tongue to tell my woes is all too weak, I must unclasp me, or my heart will break; But inward cares are most pent-in with grief, Unclasping, therefore, yields me no relief. Ah, that my moist and cloud-compacted brain Could spend my cares in show'rs of weeping rain! But scalding sighs, like blasts of boist'rous winds, Hinder my tears from falling on the ground, And I must die by closure of my wound. Ah, false Erastus! how had I misdone, That thou shouldst quit my love with such a scorn!
Here comes the Sinon of my heart: I'll frame myself to his dissembling art. Erastus. Desire persuades me on, fear pulls me back: Tush! I will to her; innocence is bold. [Aside. How fares Perseda, my sweet second self? Perseda. Well now, Erastus, my heart's only joy, Is come to join both hearts in union. Erastus. And till I came, whereas my love did dwell, My pleasure was but pain, my solace woe. Perseda. What love means, my Erastus, pray thee tell? Erastus. Matchless Perseda, she that gave me strength To win late conquests from many victor's hands, Thy name was conqueror, not my chivalry; Thy looks did arm me, not my coat of steel; Thy beauty did defend me, not my force; Thy favours bore me, not my light-foot steed; Therefore to thee I owe both love and life; But wherefore makes Perseda such a doubt, As if Erastus could forget himself; Which if I do, all vengeance light on me! Perseda. Ay me, how graceless are these wicked men! I can no longer hold my patience. [Aside. Ah, how thine eyes can forge alluring looks, And feign deep oaths, to wound poor silly maids! Are there no honest drops in all thy cheeks, To check thy fraudful countenance with a blush? Call'st thou me love, and lov'st another better? If heav'ns were just, thy teeth would tear thy tongue For this thy perjur'd false disloyalty: If heav'ns were just, men should have open breasts, That we therein might read their guileful thoughts: Would never couple wolves and lambs together: Yes, heav'ns are just, but thou art so corrupt, That in thee all their influence doth change, As in the spider good things turn to poison. Ah, false Erastus, how had I misdone, That thou shouldst pawn my true affection's pledge To her, whose worth will never equal mine? What, is Lucina's wealth exceeding mine? Yet mine sufficient to encounter thine. Is she more fair than I? that's not my fault, Nor her desert: what's beauty but a blast, Soon cropp'd with age or with infirmities? Is she more wise? her years are more than mine. Whate'er she be, my love was more than hers; And for her chastity let others judge. But what talk I of her? the fault is thine: If I were so disgracious in thine eye, That she must needs enjoy my interest, Why didst thou deck her with my ornament? Could nothing serve her but the carcanet Which, as my life, I gave to thee in charge? Couldst thou abuse my true simplicity, Whose greatest fault was overloving thee? I'll keep no tokens of thy perjury: Here, give her this; Perseda now is free, And all my former love is turn'd to hate. Erastus. Ah! stay, my sweet Perseda; hear me speak. Perseda. What are thy words, but Siren's guileful songs, That please the ear, but seek to spoil the heart. Erastus. Then view my tears, that plead for innocence. Perseda. What are thy tears, but Circe's magic seas, Where none 'scape wreck'd but blindfold mariners? Erastus. If words and tears displease, then view my looks, That plead for mercy at thy rigorous hands. Perseda. What are thy looks, but like the cockatrice, That seeks to wound poor silly passengers? Erastus. If words, nor tears, nor looks may win remorse, What then remains? for my perplexed heart Hath no interpreters but words, or tears, or looks. Perseda. And they are all as false as thou thyself. [Exit. Erastus. Hard doom of death, before my case be known; My judge unjust, and yet I cannot blame her, Myself in fault, and yet not worthy blame, Because that fortune made the fault, not love. The ground of her unkindness grows, because I lost the precious carcanet she gave me: Lucina hath it, as her words import; But how she got it, heav'n knows, not I. Yet this is some allevement to my sorrow: That if I can but get the chain again, I boldly then shall let Perseda know That she hath wrong'd Erastus and her friend. Ah, love! and if thou be'st of heav'nly power, Inspire me with some present stratagem: It must be so; Lucina's a frank gamester, And like it is in play she'll hazard it; For if report but blazon her aright, She's a frank gamester, and inclin'd to play. Ho! Piston!
Piston. Here, sir, what would you with me? Erastus. Desire Guelpio and Signior Julio come speak with me, And bid them bring some store of crowns with them; And, sirrah, provide me four vizards, Four gowns, a box, and a drum; For I intend to go in mummery. Piston. I will, sir. [Exit Piston. Erastus. Ah, virtuous lamps of ever-turning heavens, Incline her mind to play, and mine to win! Nor do I covet but what is mine own: Then shall I let Perseda understand, How jealousy had arm'd her tongue with malice. Ah! were she not Perseda, whom my heart No more can fly, than iron can adamant, Her late unkindness would have chang'd my mind.
Guelpio. How now, Erastus? wherein may we pleasure thee? Erastus. Sirs, thus it is: we must in mummery Unto Lucina, neither for love nor hate; But, if we can, to win the chain she wears: For, though I have some interest therein, Fortune may make me master of mine own, Rather than I'll seek justice 'gainst the dame. But this assure yourselves, it must be mine, By game or change, by one device or other: The rest I'll tell you, when our sport is done. Julio. Why, then, let's make us ready, and about it. Erastus. What store of crowns have you brought? Guelpio. Fear not for money, man, I'll bear the box! Julio. I have some little relay, Piston. Ay, but hear you, master, was not he a fool, That went to shoot, and left his arrows behind him? Erastus. Yes, but what of that? Piston. Marry, that you may lose your money, and go Without the chain, unless you carry false dice. Guelpio. 'Mass, the fool says true; let's have some got. Piston. Nay, I use not to go without a pair of false dice; Here are tall men and little men. Julio. High men and low men, Erastus. Come, sirs, let's go. Drumsler, pray for me, And I'll reward thee. And, sirrah Piston, Mar not our sport with your foolery. Piston. I warrant you, sir, they get not one wise word of me. [Sound up the drum to Lucina's door.
Lucina. Ay, marry, this shows that Charlemagne What, shall we play here? content, Since Signor Ferdinand will have it so. Ay, were it Cleopatra's union! [Then Erastus winneth the chain, and loseth his gold. Lucina. Signor Ferdinando, I am sure 'tis you! And, gentlemen, unmask, ere you depart, That I may know to whom my thanks are due For this so courteous and unlook'd-for sport. No! will't not be? then sup with me to-morrow? Well, then, I'll look for you; till then, farewell. [Exit Lucina. Erastus. Gentlemen, each thing hath sorted to our wish; She took me for Ferdinando, mark'd you that? Your gold shall be repaired with double thanks; And, fellow drumsler, I'll reward you well. Piston. But is there no reward for my false dice. Erastus. Yes, sir, a guarded suit from top to toe.
Dazzle mine eyes, or is't Lucina's chain?— False treacher, lay down the chain that thou hast stolen. Erastus. He lewdly lies that calls me treacherous. Ferdinando. That lie my weapon shall put down thy throat. [Then Erastus slays Ferdinando. Julio. Fly, Erastus, ere the governor have any news, Whose near ally he was and chief delight. Erastus. Nay, gentlemen, fly you and save yourselves, Lest you partake the hardness of my fortune. [Exeunt Guelpio and Julio. Ah, fickle and blind guidress of the world! What pleasure hast thou in my misery? Was't not enough, when I had lost the chain, Thou didst bereave me of my dearest love; But now, when I should repossess the same, To cross me with this hapless accident? Ah, if but time and place would give me leave, Great ease it were for me to purge myself, And to accuse fell Fortune, Love, and Death; For all these three conspire my tragedy: But danger waits upon my words and steps. I dare not stay; for if the governor Surprise me here, I die by martial law, Therefore I go: but whither shall I go? If into any stay adjoining Rhodes, They will betray me to Philippo's hands, For love, or gain, or flattery. To Turkey must I go; the passage short, The people warlike, and the king renown'd, For all heroical and kingly virtues. Ah, hard attempt, to tempt a foe for aid! Or suffer death for Ferdinando's death; Whom honour's title forc'd me to misdo, By checking his outrageous insolence.— Piston, here take this chain, and give it to Perseda; And let her know what hath befallen me: When thou'st deliver'd it, take ship and follow me, I will be in Constantinople.— Farewell, my country, dearer than my life; Farewell, dear friends, dearer than country soil; Farewell, Perseda, dearest of them all, Dearer to me than all the world besides. [Exit Erastus. Piston. Now am I growing into a doubtful agony, What I were best to do—to run away with this chain, Or deliver it, and follow my master? If I deliver it, and follow my master, I shall have thanks; But they will make me never the fatter: If I run away with it, I may live upon credit, All the while I wear this chain; Or domineer with the money when I have sold it. Hitherto all goes well; but, if I be taken— Ay, marry, sir, then the case is alter'd; ay, and halter'd too: Of all things, I do not love to preach With a halter about my neck: Therefore for this once I'll be honest against my will; Perseda shall have it: but, before I go, I'll be so bold As to dive into the gentleman's pocket for good luck sake, If he deny me not. How say you, sir? are you content?— A plain case: Qui tacet consitiri [Robs Ferdinando.
See where his body lies. Philippo. Ay, ay; I see his body all too soon: What barb'rous villain is't that rifles him? Ah, Ferdinando! the stay of my old age And chief remainder of our progeny. Ah, loving cousin! how art thou misdone By false Erastus? ah no, by treachery; For well thy valour hath been often tried. But whilst I stand and weep, and spend the time Without revenge, sole salve for such a sore— Say, villain, wherefore didst thou rifle him? Piston. 'Faith, sir, for pure good-will. Seeing he was going towards heaven, I thought to see if he had a passport to Saint Nicholas, or no. Philippo. Some sot he seems to be, 'twere pity to hurt him. [Aside. Sirrah, canst thou tell who slew this man? Piston. Ay, sir, very well; it was my master Erastus. Philippo. Thy master? and whither is he gone now? Piston. To fetch the sexton to bury him, I think. Philippo. 'Twere pity to imprison such a sot. Piston. Now it fits my wisdom to counterfeit the fool. [Aside. Philippo. Come hither, sirrah; thou knowest me For the governor of the city, dost thou not? Piston. Ay, forsooth, sir. Philippo. Thou art a bondman, and wouldst fain be free? Piston. Ay, forsooth, sir. Philippo. Then do but this, and I will make thee free, And rich withal; learn where Erastus is, And bring me word, and I'll reward thee well. Piston. That I will, sir; I shall find you at the castle, shall I not? Philippo. Yes. Piston. Why, I'll be here, as soon as ever I come again. [Exit Piston. Philippo. But for assurance that he may not 'scape, We'll lay the ports and havens round about; And let proclamation straight be made, That he that can bring forth the murderer, Shall have three thousand ducats for his pain: Myself will see the body borne from hence, And honoured with balm and funeral. [Exeunt.
God sends fortune to fools: Did you ever see wise men escape as I have done? I must betray my master! Ay, but when, can you tell?
See where Perseda comes, to save me a labour.— After my most hearty commendations, This is to let you understand, that my master Was in good health at the sending hereof? Yours for ever, and ever, and ever, In most humble wise, Piston. [Then he delivers her the chain. Perseda. This makes me think that I have been too cruel:— [Aside. How got he this from off Lucina's arm? Piston. 'Faith, in a mummery and a pair of false dice; I was one of the mummers myself, simple as I stand here. Perseda. Piston. Ay, so it did; for it cost Ferdinando his life. Perseda. How so? Piston. After we had got the chain in mummery, And lost our box in counter-cambio, My master wore the chain about his neck; Then Ferdinando met us on the way, And revil'd my master, saying he stole the chain: With that they drew, and there Ferdinando had the prickado. Perseda. And whither fled my poor Erastus then? Piston. To Constantinople, whither I must follow him.— But ere he went, with many sighs and tears He deliver'd me the chain, and bad me give it you For perfect argument that he was true, And you too credulous. Perseda. Ah, stay no more, For I can hear no more. Piston. And I can sing no more. Perseda. My heart had arm'd my tongue with injury, To wrong my friend, whose thoughts were ever true. Ah, poor Erastus! how thy stars malign! Thou great commander of the swift-wing'd winds And dreadful Neptune, bring him back again: But, Æolus and Neptune, let him go; For here is nothing but revenge and death: Then, let him go; I'll shortly follow him, Now with slow sails, but with love's golden wings: My ship shall be borne with tears, and blown with sighs; So will I soar about the Turkish land, Until I meet Erastus, my sweet friend: And then and there fall down amid his arms, And in his bosom there pour forth my soul, For satisfaction of my trespass past.
Basilisco. Fair love, according unto thy command, I seek Erastus, and will combat him. Perseda. Ay, seek him, find him, bring him to my sight; For till we meet, my heart shall want delight. [Exit Perseda. Basilisco. My pretty fellow, where hast thou hid thy master? Piston. Marry, sir, in an armourer's shop, Where you had not best go to him. Basilisco. Why so? I am in honour bound to combat him. Piston. Ay, sir; but he, knowing your fierce conditions, Hath planted a double cannon in the door, Ready to discharge it upon you when you go by. I tell you for pure good-will. Basilisco. In knightly courtesy, I thank thee: But hopes the coystrel to escape me so? Why, wherefore serves my targe of proof but for the bullet That, once put by, I roughly come upon him, Like to the wings of lightning from above; I with a martial look astonish him, Then falls he down, poor wretch! upon his knee, And all too late repents his surquedry: Then do I take him on my finger's point, And thus I bear him thorough every street, To be a laughing-stock to all the town: That done, I lay him at my mistress' feet, For her to give him doom of life or death. Piston. Ay, but hear you, sir; I am bound, In pain of my master's displeasure, To have a bout at cuffs, afore you and I part. Basilisco. Ha, ha, ha! eagles are challeng'd by paltry flies: Thy folly gives thee privilege; be gone, be gone. Piston. No, no, sir: I must have a bout with you, sir, that's flat; Lest my master turn me out of service. Basilisco. Why, art thou weary of thy life? Piston. No, by my faith, sir. Basilisco. Then fetch thy weapons; and with my single fist I'll combat thee, my body all unarm'd. Piston. Why, lend me thine, and save me a labour. Basilisco. I tell thee, if Alcides liv'd this day, He could not wield my weapons. Piston. Why, wilt thou stay, till I come again? Basilisco. Ay, upon my honour. Piston. That shall be, when I come from Turkey. [Exit Piston. Basilisco. Is this little desperate fellow gone? Doubtless, he is a very tall fellow; And yet it were a disgrace to all my chivalry To combat one so base: I'll send some crane to combat with the pigmy; Not that I fear, but that I scorn to fight. [Exit Basilisco.
Love. Fortune, thou madest Ferdinando find the chain: But yet by Love's instruction he was taught To make a present of it to his mistress. Fortune. But Fortune would not let her keep it long. Love. Nay, rather, Love, by whose suggested power Erastus us'd such dice as, being false, Ran not by Fortune, but necessity. Fortune. Meantime, I brought Ferdinando on the way, To see and challenge what Lucina lost. Death. And by that challenge I abridg'd his life, And forc'd Erastus into banishment, Parting him from his love, in spite of Love. Love. But with my golden wings I'll follow him, And give him aid and succour in distress. Fortune. And doubt not too, but Fortune will be there, And lift him up, and throw him down again. Death. And here and there in ambush Death will stand, To mar what Love or Fortune takes in hand. [Exeunt. FOOTNOTES:"Because I lost The precious carcanet she gave to me."] |
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