Chapter VIII: Act II: Scene I

_The same. A Room in_ FIORINDA'_s House_.

_Enter_ FIORINDA _and_ CALAMINTA.

_Fior._ How does this dressing show?

_Calam._ 'Tis of itself
Curious and rare; but, borrowing ornament,
As it does from your grace, that deigns to wear it,
Incomparable.

_Fior._ Thou flatter'st me.

_Calam._ I cannot,
Your excellence is above it.

_Fior._ Were we less perfect,
Yet, being as we are, an absolute princess,
We of necessity must be chaste, wise, fair,
By our prerogative!--yet all these fail
To move where I would have them. How received
Count Sanazarro the rich scarf I sent him
For his last visit?

_Calam._ With much reverence,
I dare not say affection. He express'd
More ceremony in his humble thanks,
Than feeling of the favour; and appear'd
Wilfully ignorant, in my opinion,
Of what it did invite him to.

_Fior._ No matter;
He's blind with too much light[69]. Have you not heard
Of any private mistress he's engaged to?

_Calam._ Not any; and this does amaze me, madam,
That he, a soldier, should in his manners
Be so averse to women.

_Fior._ Troth, I know not.

_Calam._ I do suspect him; for I learnt last night,
When the great duke went to rest, attended by
One private follower, he took horse; but whither
He's rid, or to what end, I cannot guess at,
But I will find it out.

_Fior._ Do, faithful servant;

_Enter_ CALANDRINO.

We would not be abused.--Who have we here?

_Calam._ How the fool stares!

_Fior._ And looks as if he were
Conning his neck-verse.

_Cal._ If I now prove perfect
In my A B C of courtship, Calandrino
Is made for ever. I am sent--let me see,
On a _How d'ye_, as they call 't.

_Calam._ What wouldst thou say?

_Cal._ Let me see my notes. These are her lodgings; well.

_Calam._ Art thou an ass?

_Cal._ Peace! thou art a court wagtail,
[_Looking on his instructions._
To interrupt me.

_Fior_. He has given it you.

Cal. _And then say to the illustrious Fi-o-rin-da_--
I have it. Which is she?

_Calam._ Why this; fop-doodle.

_Cal._ Leave chattering, bull-finch; you would put me out,
But 'twill not do.--_Then, after you have made
Your three obeisances to her, kneel, and kiss
The skirt of her gown._--I am glad it is no worse.

_Calam._ This is sport unlook'd for.

_Cal._ Are you the princess?

_Fior._ Yes, sir.

_Cal._ Then stand fair,
For I am choleric; and do not nip
A hopeful blossom. Out again:--_Three low
Obeisances_--

_Fior._ I am ready.

_Cal._ I come on, then.

_Calam._ With much formality.

_Cal._ Umph! One, two, three.
[_Makes antic courtesies._
Thus far I am right. Now for the last. [_Kisses the
skirt of her gown._]--O, rare!
She is perfumed all over! Sure great women,
Instead of little dogs, are privileged
To carry musk-cats.

_Fior._ Now the ceremony
Is pass'd, what is the substance?

_Cal._ I'll peruse
My instructions, and then tell you.--_Her skirt kiss'd,
Inform her highness that your lord_----

_Calam._ Who's that?

_Cal._ Prince Giovanni, who entreats your grace,
That he, with your good favour, may have leave
To present his service to you. I think I have nick'd it
For a courtier of the first form.

_Fior._ To my wonder.

_Enter_ GIOVANNI _and a Gentleman_.

Return unto the prince--but he prevents
My answer. Calaminta, take him off;
And, for the neat delivery of his message,
Give him ten ducats: such rare parts as yours
Are to be cherish'd.

_Cal._ We will share: I know
It is the custom of the court, when ten
Are promised, five is fair. Fie! fie! the princess
Shall never know it, so you despatch me quickly,
And bid me not come to-morrow.

_Calam._ Very good, sir.
[_Exeunt_ CALANDRINO _and_ CALAMINTA.

_Giov._ Pray you, friend,
Inform the duke I am putting into act
What he commanded.

_Gent._ I am proud to be employ'd, sir. [_Exit._

_Giov._ Madam, that, without warrant, I presume
To trench upon your privacies, may argue
Rudeness of manners; but the free access
Your princely courtesy vouchsafes to all
That come to pay their services, gives me hope
To find a gracious pardon.

_Fior._ If you please, not
To make that an offence in your construction,
Which I receive as a large favour from you,
There needs not this apology.

_Giov._ You continue,
As you were ever, the greatest mistress of
Fair entertainment.

_Fior._ You are, sir, the master;
And in the country have learnt to outdo
All that in court is practised. But why should we
Talk at such distance? You are welcome, sir.
We have been more familiar, and since
You will impose the province (you should govern)
Of boldness on me, give me leave to say
You are too punctual. Sit, sir, and discourse
As we were used.

_Giov._ Your excellence knows so well
How to command, that I can never err
When I obey you.

_Fior._ Nay, no more of this.
You shall o'ercome; no more, I pray you, sir.--
And what delights, pray you be liberal
In your relation, hath the country life
Afforded you?

_Giov._ All pleasures, gracious madam,
But the happiness to converse with your sweet virtues.
I had a grave instructor, and my hours
Design'd to serious studies yielded me
Pleasure with profit, in the knowledge of
What before I was ignorant in; the signior,
Carolo de Charomonte, being skilful
To guide me through the labyrinth of wild passions,
That labour'd to imprison my free soul
A slave to vicious sloth.

_Fior._ You speak him well.

_Giov._ But short of his deserts. Then for the time
Of recreation, I was allow'd
(Against the form follow'd by jealous parents
In Italy) full liberty to partake
His daughter's sweet society. She's a virgin
Happy in all endowments which a poet
Could fancy in his mistress; being herself
A school of goodness, where chaste maids may learn,
Without the aids of foreign principles,
By the example of her life and pureness,
To be as she is, excellent. I but give you
A brief epitome of her virtues, which,
Dilated on at large, and to their merit,
Would make an ample story.

_Fior._ Your whole age,
So spent with such a father, and a daughter,
Could not be tedious to you.

_Giov._ True, great princess:
And now, since you have pleased to grant the hearing
Of my time's expense in the country, give me leave
To entreat the favour to be made acquainted
What service, or what objects in the court,
Have, in your excellency's acceptance, proved
Most gracious to you.

_Fior._ I'll meet your demand,
And make a plain discovery. The duke's care
For my estate and person holds the first
And choicest place: then, the respect the courtiers
Pay gladly to me, not to be contemn'd.
But that which raised in me the most delight,
(For I am a friend to valour,) was to hear
The noble actions truly reported
Of the brave count Sanazarro. I profess,
When it hath been, and fervently, deliver'd,
How boldly, in the horror of a fight,
Cover'd with fire and smoke, and, as if nature
Had lent him wings, like lightning he hath fallen
Upon the Turkish galleys, I have heard it
With a kind of pleasure, which hath whisper'd to me,
This worthy must be cherish'd.

_Giov._ 'Twas a bounty
You never can repent.

_Fior._ I glory in it.
And when he did return, (but still with conquest,)
His armour off, not young Antinous
Appear'd more courtly; all the graces that
Render a man's society dear to ladies,
Like pages waiting on him; and it does
Work strangely on me.

_Giov._ To divert your thoughts,
Though they are fix'd upon a noble subject,
I am a suitor to you.

_Fior._ You will ask,
I do presume, what I may grant, and then
It must not be denied.

_Giov._ It is a favour
For which I hope your excellence will thank me.

_Fior._ Nay, without circumstance.

_Giov._ That you would please
To take occasion to move the duke,
That you, with his allowance, may command
This matchless virgin, Lidia, (of whom
I cannot speak too much,) to wait upon you.
She's such a one, upon the forfeit of
Your good opinion of me, that will not
Be a blemish to your train.

_Fior._ 'Tis rank! he loves her:
But I will fit him with a suit. [_Aside._]--I pause not,
As if it bred or doubt or scruple in me
To do what you desire, for I'll effect it,
And make use of a fair and fit occasion;
Yet, in return, I ask a boon of you,
And hope to find you, in your grant to me,
As I have been to you.

_Giov._ Command me, madam.

_Fior._ 'Tis near allied to yours. That you would be
A suitor to the duke, not to expose,
After so many trials of his faith,
The noble Sanazarro to all dangers,
As if he were a wall to stand the fury
Of a perpetual battery: but now
To grant him, after his long labours, rest
And liberty to live in court; his arms
And his victorious sword and shield hung up
For monuments.

_Giov._ Umph!--I'll embrace, fair princess,

_Enter_ COZIMO.

The soonest opportunity. The duke!

_Coz._ Nay, blush not; we smile on your privacy,
And come not to disturb you. You are equals,
And, without prejudice to either's honours,
May make a mutual change of love and courtship,
Till you are made one, and with holy rites,
And we give suffrage to it.

_Giov._ You are gracious.

_Coz._ To ourself in this: but now break off; too much
Taken at once of the most curious viands,
Dulls the sharp edge of appetite. We are now
For other sports, in which our pleasure is
That you should keep us company.

_Fior._ We attend you. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTE:

[69] _He's blind with too much light._] Ennobled by Milton--"dark with
excess of light."

SCENE II.

_The Country. A Hall in_ CHAROMONTE'_s House._

_Enter_ BERNARDO, CAPONI, _and_ PETRUCHIO.

_Bern._ Is my lord stirring?

_Cap._ No; he's fast.

_Pet._ Let us take, then,
Our morning draught. Such as eat store of beef,
Mutton, and capons, may preserve their healths
With that thin composition call'd small beer,
As, 'tis said, they do in England. But Italians,
That think when they have supp'd upon an olive,
A root, or bunch of raisins, 'tis a feast,
Must kill those crudities rising from cold herbs,
With hot and lusty wines.

_Cap._ A happiness
Those tramontanes[70] ne'er tasted.

_Bern._ Have they not
Store of wine there?

_Cap._ Yes, and drink more in two hours
Than the Dutchmen or the Dane in four and twenty.

_Pet._ But what is 't? French trash, made of rotten grapes,
And dregs and lees of Spain, with Welsh metheglin,
A drench to kill a horse! But this pure nectar,
Being proper to our climate, is too fine
To brook the roughness of the sea: the spirit
Of this begets in us quick apprehensions,
And active executions; whereas their
Gross feeding makes their understanding like it:
They can fight, and that's their all. [_They drink._

_Enter_ SANAZARRO _and_ SERVANI.

_Sanaz._ Security
Dwells about this house, I think; the gate's wide open,
And not a servant stirring. See the horses
Set up, and clothed.

_Serv._ I shall, sir. [_Exit._

_Sanaz._ I'll make bold
To press a little further.

_Bern._ Who is this,
Count Sanazarro?

_Pet._ Yes, I know him. Quickly
Remove the flagon.

_Sanaz._ A good day to you, friends.
Nay, do not conceal your physic; I approve it,
And, if you please, will be a patient with you.

_Pet._ My noble lord. [_Drinks._

_Sanaz._ A health to yours. [_Drinks._] Well done!
I see you love yourselves, and I commend you;
'Tis the best wisdom.

_Pet._ May it please your honour
To walk a turn in the gallery, I'll acquaint
My lord with your being here. [_Exit._

_Sanaz._ Tell him I come
For a visit only. 'Tis a handsome pile this. [_Exit._

_Cap._ Why here is a brave fellow, and a right one;
Nor wealth nor greatness makes him proud.

_Bern._ There are
Too few of them; for most of our new courtiers,
(Whose fathers were familiar with the prices
Of oil and corn, with when and where to vent them,
And left their heirs rich, from their knowledge that way,)
Like gourds shot up in a night, disdain to speak
But to cloth of tissue.

_Enter_ CHAROMONTE _in a nightgown_, PETRUCHIO _following_.

_Char._ Stand you prating, knaves,
When such a guest is under my roof! See all
The rooms perfumed. This is the man that carries
The sway and swing of the court; and I had rather
Preserve him mine with honest offices, than----
But I'll make no comparisons. Bid my daughter
Trim herself up to the height. Which way went he?

_Cap._ To the round gallery.

_Char._ I will entertain him
As fits his worth and quality, but no further.
[_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTE:

[70] _Tramontanes,_] i. e. _strangers_, _barbarians_: so the Italians
called, and still call, all who live beyond the Alps, _ultra
montes_. In a subsequent speech, the author does not forget to
satirize the acknowledged propensity of his countrymen to drinking:
"Your _Dane_, your German, and your swag-bellied _Hollander_, are
nothing to your Englishman."

If Caponi, as well as Iago, be not, however, too severe upon us,
it must be confessed that our ancestors were apt scholars, and
soon bettered the instructions which they received. Sir Richard
Baker (as Mr. Gilchrist observes), treating of the wars in the
Low-Countries about the end of the sixteenth century, says, "Here
it must not be omitted, that the English (who, of all the dwellers
in the northern parts of the world, were hitherto the least
drinkers, and deservedly praised for their sobriety) in these
Dutch wars learned to be drunkards, and brought the vice so far to
overspread the kingdom, that laws were fain to be enacted for
repressing it." _Chron._ fol. p. 382.--GIFFORD.

SCENE III.

_A Gallery in the same._

_Enter_ SANAZARRO.

_Sanaz._ I cannot apprehend, yet I have argued
All ways I can imagine, for what reasons
The great duke does employ me hither; and,
What does increase the miracle, I must render
A strict and true account, at my return,
Of Lidia, this lord's daughter, and describe
In what she's excellent, and where defective.
'Tis a hard task: he that will undergo
To make a judgment of a woman's beauty,
And see through all her plasterings and paintings,
Had need of Lynceus' eyes, and with more ease
May look, like him, through nine mud walls, than make
A true discovery of her. But the intents
And secrets of my prince's heart must be
Served, and not search'd into.

_Enter_ CHAROMONTE.

_Char._ Most noble sir,
Excuse my age, subject to ease and sloth,
That with no greater speed I have presented
My service with your welcome.

_Sanaz._ 'Tis more fit
That I should ask your pardon, for disturbing
Your rest at this unseasonable hour.
But my occasions carrying me so near
Your hospitable house, my stay being short too,
Your goodness, and the name of friend, which you
Are pleased to grace me with, gave me assurance
A visit would not offend.

_Char._ Offend, my lord!
I feel myself much younger for the favour.
How is it with our gracious master?

_Sanaz._ He, sir,
Holds still his wonted greatness, and confesses
Himself your debtor, for your love and care
To the prince Giovanni; and had sent
Particular thanks by me, had his grace known
The quick despatch of what I was design'd to
Would have licensed me to see you.

_Char._ I am rich
In his acknowledgment.

_Sanaz._ I have heard
Your happiness in a daughter.

_Char._ Sits the wind there? [_Aside._

_Sanaz._ Fame gives her out for a rare masterpiece.

_Char._ 'Tis a plain village girl, sir, but obedient;
That's her best beauty, sir.

_Sanaz._ Let my desire
To see her find a fair construction from you:
I bring no loose thought with me.

_Char._ You are that way,
My lord, free from suspicion. Her own manners,
Without an imposition from me,
I hope, will prompt her to it.

_Enter_ LIDIA _and_ PETRONELLA.

As she is,
She comes to make a tender of that service
Which she stands bound to pay.

_Sanaz._ With your fair leave,
I make bold to salute you.

_Lid._ Sir, you have it.

_Char._ How he falls off!

_Lid._ My lord, though silence best becomes a maid,
And to be curious to know but what
Concerns myself, and with becoming distance,
May argue me of boldness, I must borrow
So much of modesty, as to inquire
Prince Giovanni's health.

_Sanaz._ He cannot want
What you are pleased to wish him.

_Lid._ Would 'twere so!
And then there is no blessing that can make
A hopeful and a noble prince complete,
But should fall on him. O! he was our north star,
The light and pleasure of our eyes.

_Sanaz._ Where am I?
I feel myself another thing! Can charms
Be writ on such pure rubies[71]? her lips melt
As soon as touch'd! Not those smooth gales that glide
O'er happy Araby, or rich Sabæa,
Creating in their passage gums and spices,
Can serve for a weak simile to express
The sweetness of her breath. Such a brave stature
Homer bestow'd on Pallas, every limb
Proportion'd to it!

_Char._ This is strange.--My lord!

_Sanaz._ I crave your pardon, and yours, matchless maid,
For such I must report you.

_Petron._ There's no notice
Taken all this while of me. [_Aside._

_Sanaz._ And I must add,
If your discourse and reason parallel
The rareness of your more than human form,
You are a wonder.

_Char._ Pray you, my lord, make trial:
She can speak, I can assure you; and that my presence
May not take from her freedom, I will leave you:
For know, my lord, my confidence dares trust her
Where, and with whom, she pleases.--Petronella!

_Petron._ Yes, my good lord.

_Char._ I have employment for you.
[_Exeunt_ CHAROMONTE _and_ PETRONELLA.

_Lid._ What's your will, sir?

_Sanaz._ Madam, you are so large a theme to treat of,
And every grace about you offers to me
Such copiousness of language, that I stand
Doubtful which first to touch at. If I err,
As in my choice I may, let me entreat you,
Before I do offend, to sign my pardon:
Let this, the emblem of your innocence,
Give me assurance.

_Lid._ My hand join'd to yours,
Without this superstition, confirms it.
Nor need I fear you will dwell long upon me,
The barrenness of the subject yielding nothing
That rhetoric, with all her tropes and figures,
Can amplify. Yet since you are resolved
To prove yourself a courtier in my praise,
As I'm a woman (and you men affirm
Our sex loves to be flatter'd) I'll endure it.

_Enter_ CHAROMONTE _above_.

Now, when you please, begin.

_Sanaz._ [_turning from her._] If the great duke
Made this his end to try my constant temper,
Though I am vanquished, 'tis his fault, not mine;
For I am flesh and blood, and have affections
Like other men. Who can behold the temples,
Or holy altars, but the objects work
Devotion in him? And I may as well
Walk over burning iron with bare feet,
And be unscorch'd, as look upon this beauty
Without desire, and that desire pursued too,
Till it be quench'd with the enjoying those
Delights, which to achieve, danger is nothing,
And loyalty but a word.

_Lid._ I ne'er was proud;
Nor can find I am guilty of a thought
Deserving this neglect.

_Sanaz._ Suppose his greatness
Loves her himself, why makes he choice of me
To be his agent? It is tyranny
To call one pinch'd with hunger to a feast,
And at that instant cruelly deny him
To taste of what he sees. Allegiance
Tempted too far is like the trial of
A good sword on an anvil; as that often
Flies in pieces without service to the owner,
So trust enforced too far proves treachery,
And is too late repented.

_Lid._ Pray you, sir,
Or license me to leave you, or deliver
The reasons which invite you to command
My tedious waiting on you.

_Char._ As I live,
I know not what to think on 't. Is 't his pride,
Or his simplicity?

_Sanaz._ Whither have my thoughts
Carried me from myself? In this my dulness,
I've lost an opportunity----
[_Turns to her; she falls off._

_Lid._ 'Tis true
I was not bred in court, nor live a star there;
Nor shine in rich embroideries and pearl,
As they that are the mistresses of great fortunes
Are every day adorn'd with----

_Sanaz._ Will you vouchsafe
Your ear, sweet lady?

_Lid._ Yet I may be bold,
For my integrity and fame, to rank
With such as are more glorious. Though I never
Did injury, yet I am sensible
When I'm contemn'd and scorn'd.

_Sanaz._ Will you please to hear me?

_Lid._ O the difference of natures! Giovanni,
A prince in expectation, when he lived here,
Stole courtesy from heaven[72], and would not to
The meanest servant in my father's house
Have kept such distance.

_Sanaz._ Pray you, do not think me
Unworthy of your ear: it was your beauty
That turn'd me statue. I can speak, fair lady.

_Lid._ And I can hear. The harshness of your courtship
Cannot corrupt my courtesy.

_Sanaz._ Will you hear me,
If I speak of love?

_Lid._ Provided you be modest;
I were uncivil, else.

_Char._ They are come to parley:
I must observe this nearer. [_He retires._

_Sanaz._ You are a rare one,
And such (but that my haste commands me hence)
I could converse with ever. Will you grace me
With leave to visit you again?

_Lid._ So you,
At your return to court, do me the favour
To make a tender of my humble service
To the prince Giovanni.

_Sanaz._ Ever touching
Upon that string! [_Aside._] And will you give me hope
Of future happiness?

_Lid._ That, as I shall find you:
The fort that's yielded at the first assault
Is hardly worth the taking.

_Re-enter_ CHAROMONTE _below_.

_Sanaz._ She is a magazine of all perfection,
And 'tis death to part from her, yet I must.

_Char._ A homely breakfast does attend your lordship,
Such as the place affords.

_Sanaz._ No; I have feasted
Already here; my thanks, and so I leave you:
I will see you again.--Till this unhappy hour
I was never lost; and what to do, or say,
I have not yet determined. [_Aside, and exit._

_Char._ Gone so abruptly!
'Tis very strange.

_Lid._ Under your favour, sir,
His coming hither was to little purpose,
For any thing I heard from him.

_Char._ Take heed, Lidia!
I do advise you with a father's love,
And tenderness of your honour; as I would not
Have you too harsh in giving entertainment,
So by no means be credulous: for great men,
Till they have gain'd their ends, are giants in
Their promises, but, those obtain'd, weak pigmies
In their performance. And it is a maxim
Allow'd among them, so they may deceive,
They may swear any thing; for the queen of love,
As they hold constantly, does never punish,
But smile at, lovers' perjuries[73].--Yet be wise too,
And when you are sued to in a noble way,
Be neither nice nor scrupulous.

_Lid._ All you speak, sir,
I hear as oracles; nor will digress
From your directions.

_Char._ So shall you keep Your fame untainted.

_Lid._ As I would my life, sir. [_Exeunt._

FOOTNOTES:

[71] ------------_Can charms
Be writ on such pure rubies?_] This, I believe, alludes to a very
old opinion, that some sorts of gems (from an inherent sanctity)
could not be profaned, or applied to the purposes of magic. The
notion took its rise probably from some superstitious ideas
respecting the precious stones employed in the breastplate of the
high-priest of the Jews.--GIFFORD.

[72] _Stole courtesy from heaven._] This is from Shakspeare; and the
plain meaning of the phrase is, that the affability and sweetness
of Giovanni were of a _heavenly_ kind.--GIFFORD.

[73] _Smile at lovers' perjuries._]

_Ridet hoc, inquam, Venus ipsa._

It would be as well if the queen of love had been a little more
fastidious on this subject. Her facility, I fear, has done much
mischief, as lovers of all ages have availed themselves of it: but
she had it from her father, whose laxity of principle is well
known:

------------_perjuria ridet amantûm
Jupiter._
GIFFORD.