Of your gross wrongs and ours. And now, remembering

Whose deputies we are, be neither swayed,
Or with particular spleen or foolish pity;
For neither can become you.

Car. There's some hope yet,
Since they have such gentle judges.
Coz. Rise, and stand forth, then,
And hear with horror to your guilty souls

What we will prove against you. Could this princess

(Thou enemy to thyself!) stoop her high flight
Of towering greatness, to invite thy lowness
To look upon it, and with nimble wings

Of gratitude, couldst thou forbear to meet it?
Were her favours boundless in a noble way,
And warranted by our allowance, yet,
In thy acceptation, there appeared no sign
Of a modest thankfulness?

Pass over it, and briefly touch at that,

Which does concern ourself; in which, both being

Equal offenders, what we shall speak, points
Indifferently at either. How we raised thee,
Forgetful Sanazarro, of our grace,

To a full possession of power and honours,
It being too well known, we'll not remember.
And what thou wert (rash youth) in expectation,
(And from which, headlong, thou hast thrown
thyself)

Not Florence, but all Tuscany, can witness
With admiration. To assure thy hopes,
We did keep constant to a widowed bed,
And did deny ourself those lawful pleasures,
Our absolute power and height of blood allowed

us:

Made both the keys that opened our heart's se

crets,

And what you spake, believed as oracles.

But

you, in recompense of this, to him

And, would not our consent to your demands
Deprive us of a happiness, hereafter
Ever to be despaired of, we, perhaps,
Might hearken nearer to you, and could wish,
With some qualification or excuse,

You might make less the mountains of your crimes,

And so invite our clemency to feast with you.
But you, that know with what impatience
Of grief, we parted from the fair Clarinda,
Our dutchess, (let her memory still be sacred!)
And with what imprecations on ourself
We vowed, not hoping e'er to see her equal,
Ne'er to make trial of a second choice,
If nature framed not one that did excel her,
(As this maid's beauty prompts us that she does)
And yet, with oaths then mixed with tears, upon
Her monument we swore our eye should never
Again be tempted; 'tis true, and those vows
Are registered above; something here tells me.
Carolo, thou heardst us swear.

Car. And swear so deeply,

ing,

With treacherous lies endeavoured to conceal This jewel from our knowledge, which ourself Could only lay just claim to.

Giov. 'Tis most true.

San. We both confess a guilty cause.
Coz. Look on her;

Is this a beauty fit to be embraced
By any subject's arms? Can any tire
Become that forehead, but a diadem?
Or, should we grant your being false to us
Could be excused, your treachery to her,
In seeking to deprive her of that greatness,
(Her matchless form considered), she was born to,
Must ne'er find pardon! We have spoken, la-
dies,

Like a rough orator, that brings more truth

(As she's not to be named with the dead dutch

Coz. You all conspire

To force our mercy from us.

Car. Which, given up

To after-times, preserves you unforesworn ; An honour, which will live upon your tomb, When your greatness is forgotten.

Coz. Though we know

All this is practice, and that both are false,
Such reverence we will pay to dead Clarinda,
And to our serious oaths, that we are pleased,
With our own hand, to blind our eyes, and not
Know what we understand. Here, Giovanni,
We pardon thee, and take from us in this,
More than our dukedom: love her. As I part
With her, all thoughts of women fly fast from

us.

Sanazarro, we forgive you : in your service
To this princess merit it. Yet, let not others
That are in trust and grace, as you have been,
By the example of our tenderness,

Presume upon their sovereign's lenity. [A shout.

Enter CALANDRINO and PETRONELLA, All. Long live great Cozimo!

Caland. Sure the duke is

Caland. Why, the whole race

Of such as can act naturally fools' parts,
Are quite worn out, and they that do survive,
Do only zanie us; and we will bring you,
If we die not without issue, of both sexes
Such chopping mirth-makers, as shall preserve
Perpetual cause of sport, both to your grace
And your posterity, that sad melancholy
Shall never approach you.

Coz. We are pleased in it,

And will pay her portion. May the passage prove

Of what's presented, worthy of your love
And favour, as was aimed; and we have all

spouse,

P

VOL. II.

[Exeunt omnes.

Enter DON JUAN DE CASTRO and MICHAEL
PEREZ.

Mich. ARE your companies full, colonel?
Juan. No, not yet, sir,

Nor will not be this month yet, as I reckon.
How rises your command?

Mich. We pick up still,

And, as our monies hold out, we have men come. About that time, I think, we shall be full, too: Many young gallants go.

Juan. And inexperienced.

The wars are dainty dreams to young hot spirits;
Time and experience will allay those visions.
We have strange things to fill our numbers:
There's one Don Leon, a strange goodly fellow,
Commended to me from some noble friends,
For my Alferes.

Mich. I've heard of him, and that he hath served before, too,

Juan. But no harm done, nor ever meant, Don Michael,

That came to my ears yet: ask him a question, He blushes like a girl, and answers little,

To the point less. He wears a sword, a good

When heard you of Donna Margaritta, the great heiress?

Mich. I hear every hour of her, though I ne'er saw her;

She is the main discourse. Noble Don Juan de Castro,

How happy were that man could catch this wench up,

And live at ease! She's fair, and young, and wealthy,

Infinite wealthy, and as gracious, too,

In all her entertainments, as men report.

Juan. But she is proud, sir; that I know for certain;

And that comes seldom without wantonness :
He, that shall marry her, must have a rare hand.
Mich. Would I were married! I would find
that wisdom,

With a light rein to rule my wife. If e'er woman,
Of the most subtile mould, went beyond me,
I'd give boys leave to hoot me out of the parish.
Enter Servant.

Juan. I am, sweet lady.

Cla. I have a kinsman, and a noble friend, Employed in those wars; may be, sir, you know him;

Don Campusano, captain of carbines,
To whom I would request your nobleness
To give this poor remembrance. [Gives a letter.
Juan. I shall do it:

I know the gentleman, a most worthy captain.
Cla. Something in private.
Juan. Step aside : I'll serve thec.

[Exeunt JUAN and CLARA.
Mich. Prithee, let me see thy face.
Estif. Sir, you must pardon me;
Women of our sort, that maintain fair memories,
And keep suspect off from their chastities,
Had need wear thicker veils.

Mich. I am no blaster of a lady's beauty, Nor bold intruder on her special favours: I know how tender reputation is, And with what guards it ought to be preserved. Lady, you may to me

Estif. You must excuse me, signior, I come

speak with you.

Juan. Wait on them in.

Mich. Are they two handsome women?

Ser. They seem so, very handsome! but they're veiled, sir.

Mich. Thou puttest sugar in my mouth. How it melts with me!

I love a sweet young wench.

But in a strange place, to a stranger, too, As if I came on purpose to betray you,

Mich. Don Juan.

Juan. Michael, how you burnish?

Will not this soldier's heat out of your bones yet? Mich. There be two.

Juan. Say honest, what shame have you, then? Mich. I would fain see that.

I've been in the Indies twice, and have seen strange things;

But for two honest women :-one I read of once. Juan. Prithee, be modest.

Mich. I'll be any thing.

Mich. I shall love you dearly,
And 'tis a sin to fling away affection;
I have no mistress; no desire to honour
Any but you.

I know not, you have struck me with your modesty

So deep, and taken from me

All the desire, I might bestow on others-
Quickly, before they come.

Estif. Indeed, I dare not.

But since I see you're so desirous, sir,
To view a poor face, that can merit nothing

veiled.

Juan. You're welcome, ladies.

Mich. Both hooded! I like them well though: They came not for advice in law, sure, hither. They're very modest; 'tis a fine preludium. Juan. With me, or with this gentleman, would you speak, lady?

Cla. With you, sir, as I guess, Juan de Castro. Mich. Her curtain opens; she is a pretty gentlewoman.

Juan. I am the man, and shall be bound to fortune,

I may do any service to your beauties.

Cla. Captain, I hear you're marching down to Flanders,

To serve the Catholic king.

Mich. It must needs be excellent.

Estif. And with what honesty you ask it of

me,

When I am gone, let your man follow me,
And view what house I enter. Thither come,
For there I dare be bold to appear open;
And as I like your virtuous carriage, then,

Enter JUAN, CLARA, and Servant.

I shall be able to give welcome to you. She hath done her business; I must take my leave, sir.

Mich. I'll kiss your fair white hand, and thank you, lady.

My man shall wait, and I shall be your servant. Sirrah, come near, hark.

Enter JUAN DE CASTRO and LEON.

Juan. Have you seen any service?
Leon. Yes.

Juan. Where?
Leon. Every where.

Juan. What office bore ye?
Leon. None; I was not worthy.
Juan. What captains know you?
Leon. None; they were above me.
Juan. Were you ne'er hurt?

Leon. Not that I well remember;
But once I stole a hen, and then they beat me.
Pray, ask me no long questions. I have an ill

Juan. Nor ne'er ta'en prisoner?

Leon. No, I ran away;

For I ne'er had no money to redeem me.
Juan. Can you endure a drum?

Leon. It makes my head ache.

Juan. Are you not valiant, when you're drunk? Leon. I think not; but I am loving, sir.

Juan. What a lump is this man!

Was your father wise?

Leon. Too wise for me, I'm sure;

For he gave all he had to my younger brother.