Act 3

SCENE I 

Enter HORATIO in prison.

HORA. Unto the man enthrall'd, black and obscure
Is the clear beauty of the brightest day.
Through iron grates, he only sees the light,
And thereby doth increase his misery.
Those whom he doth perceive in joy to pass
Augment his wretchedness, by making him
To think that thus I lately was myself --
But admirablest lady of the world,
Divine Prudentia, may I die abhorred
By all mankind if I repine at all,
Seeing for thy sake I do suffer this!
The exquisitest tortures' curious inventions make,
For thee I would think sports and undergo.
May'st thou live happily and free from care,
And all my miseries of no moment are. 

Exit. 

Enter TRAPPOLIN. 

TRA. Eo, Meo and Areo -- faith you are all brave devils, all on you, and my father conjuror an excellent fellow. I love to see myself. Meo, thou art not the work of Moran -- no, the Duke himself I seem. I now must learn to walk in state, and speak proudly. I'll play such tricks with my lord banishers, shall make me sport enough. Banish a poor man for doing courtesies! It is against the law of friendship! I am supposed a Prince; the Florentines acknowledge me the great Duke. Whatever I do, though never so bad, passeth with approbation. Poor Trappolin turned Duke, 'tis very strange but very true! Would the fates favour panders in this wise, he were a fool besworn would not turn pimp. Seeing panders Dukes become, he is an ass that may hav't will let the office pass. O me, Brunetto! Alas, for thee, man, how cam'st thou there? I think in my heart an there be a mischief in the world, thou wilt be at one end or other on't. So ho, Pucannello! Pucannello! 

Enter PUCANNELLO.

PUC. Who calls? 

TRA. That do I, sirrah; let me Brunetto out presently, and bid him come to me. 

PUC. Your Highness' pleasure shall be done. 

Exit. 

TRA. Alas, poor Brunetto! Marl what he has done to be locked in such a place! I think in my conscience 'tis not for any lechery, for I could never get him to 't; and many a time I have offered him many a good bit. Brunetto to come into the jail! I cannot tell what to think of it! But be 't for what it will, out he goes. My good friend Brunetto, who gave me a ring shall not lie there. Honest Brunetto! 

Enter BRUNETTO. 

HORA. Great Prince. 

TRA. He makes a very low leg, but I will not be outgone in courtesy. Dearest Brunetto -- 

HORA. Your Highness doth forget yourself exceedingly! I am your prisoner. 

TRA. My best friend, good Brunetto. 

HORA. Beseech your Highness to remember yourself! 

TRA. So I do; but never must forget thee. I am glad to see thee in good health, dear Brunetto. 

HORA. I shall fall to the ground even now in this salutation. Beseech your Highness, I am your prisoner, your slave. 

TRA. I am thy servant, Brunetto.

HORA. Wonders! I am astonished! Upon my humble knees I do congratulate your safe and speedy return. 

TRA. And upon my knees I do embrace thee, Brunetto. Thou art an honest man, my most sweet Brunetto. 

HORA. I know not what to think, nor what to speak. Beseech your Highness, rise. 

TRA. Not without thee. Up Brunetto, honest Brunetto, up I say. 

HORA. Beseech your Highness, I am your humble slave. 

TRA. I am thy servant, Brunetto; and as long as thou liest on the ground, so will I too. Up, therefore -- let us rise and talk. Away with your compliments, I cannot abide them. Up, I say; let's rise. Thou shalt not stay, I swear. 

HORA. I am amazed, by force I must obey. Great sir, I know not what to think. You honour me above all expression. 

TRA. Honour a fig! I love thee, Brunetto. Thou art a good, honest fellow. I love thee with all my heart. Compliment with me, and I will be very angry. Without more ado, I tell thee, I love thee. Pucannello, so ho! Sirrah Pucannello! Bring two chairs hither presently. 

HORA. Your Highness... 

TRA. Away with Highness, I say away with it! Call me -- Lavin, Duke, plain Medicis. I cannot abide your Highness, your Excellency, your Worship. I hate such idle flim flams. Dear Brunetto, how I love thee. I'faith I do, with all my heart, and if I lie unto thee, I would I might be hanged. 

HORA. Sure I am awake? This is no dream? 

TRA. We will live merrily together, i'faith we will, Brunetto! How glad I am to see thee in health. -- Come, sirrah, what a while ha' you been a bringing a couple of chairs. Set them here, sirrah, and begone. 

Exit PUCANNELLO.

Brunetto, sit thee down; sit down, my man, I say. 

HORA. I will attend your Highness, on my knees. 

TRA. Why, I am not thy father, am I? Leave fooling, and sit thee down that we may talk together. Sit thee here. I will have it so. 

HORA. I am astonished. I humbly pray your Highness --

TRA. Pray me no praying; but sit thee down, sit thee here, man Brunetto. Be ruled. 

HORA. On the right hand I know not what to think. 

TRA. I am something a-weary, Brunetto, and will not sit without thee; therefore I pray thee, make me stand no longer. Obey me, for I am the Duke. 

HORA. Here then, so please your Highness. 

TRA. Why an thou wilt have it; there, there, let it be. But I am mistook, that's on the left hand. What do you think me, a clown and without breeding that I have no more manners in me? For shame of the world, sit thee down, Brunetto, sit thee down and without more bidding, without thou wilt ha' me lie on the ground for I am so weary I can scant stand. 

HORA. There is no remedy, I must obey. 

TRA. So well done. Sit still, man. What art doing? Art afraid of me? 

HORA. What does your Highness mean? 

TRA. Marry and thou draw'st back, I'll draw back too. Brunetto, sit thee still and let us talk. 

HORA. I will obey your Highness. 

TRA. Highness me no more! Highness, I cannot abide it! My name is Lavin; call me Lavin Duke, and 'tis enough a conscience.

HORA. Great sir, I am far unworthy of these honours.
The noblest Florentines would be most proud
To be thus graced by their Prince. 

TRA. I like not these set speeches neither. Let us talk, as we were companions in a tavern together, and not after the court fashion. I am as weary of it as a dog, I am, Brunetto. Prithee, man, how cam'st thou into the gaol?

HORA. O pardon me, dread Sovereign! 

TRA. On thy knees, man? What meanest thou by this! Dost take me for Mahomet? As well as I can pardon thee, I do anything whate'er it be, though thou hast killed everybody. Rise, therefore I say, Brunetto; and set thee in thy place again, or I'll kneel too. 

HORA. Most merciful Prince, hear me before, lest you
Repent your kindness towards me afterward. 

TRA. Up I say, Brunetto, up! I pardon thee anything, upon condition thou wilt rise and sit thee down. 

HORA. It is your Highness will. 

TRA. Now, good Brunetto, without any fear -- for I swear unto thee I do not care what thou hast done and forgive thee whatsoever it be -- tell me the cause. 

HORA. Dread Sovereign, I was for love put in. 

TRA. Who put thee in? 

HORA. Your Highness' governors, Lord Barberino and Lord Machavil. 

TRA. They are a couple of coxcombs for their pains! Who art in love withal? 

HORA. O pardon me! 

TRA. Sit still, or I will not, and if thou dost I will. 

HORA. Your Highness excellent sister, O great Prince. 

TRA. Sit still, Brunetto. Wast thou laid up for that! Alas for thee! Hast thou married her? 

HORA. So please your Highness, no. 

TRA. It doth neither please my highness nor lowness neither; I would thou hadst, and that's all the hurt I wish thee. Couldst thou think I that loved thee so, would be angry with thee for this? Hast thou her consent?

HORA. I have. 

TRA. I am very glad of it, and I here give thee mine too. Prithee, Brunetto, do me the favour to go and bid Barberino or Machavil come to me. I'll send for my sister presently, and if she says so to me, I'll soon have you married.

HORA. Your Highness shall command me to my death
More willingly unto my life, for so
This business doth import! The heavens be praised
And ever be propitious unto you, bless you
According to your own and my desires! 

Exit.

TRA. This Brunetto is a good honest fellow, and hath always behaved himself very well; and whatsoever he be, I'll give him Prudentia for the ring he gave me. I will not be ungrateful. He said he was in love with my sister, and if he had them all, I would e'en say much good do his heart with them. But he means the Princess and though I have little to do with her, yet if I can give her him, I will. Brunetto's ring I shall never forget. 

Enter MACHAVIL. 

MAC. Your Highness' pleasure. 

TRA. My Highness pleasure, sirrah lord, is that you go and tell my sister Prudentia I would speak with her presently. I will expect her here. Begone. 

Exit MACHAVIL.

The Duke's life is very pleasant -- I take great content in it, and were it not for one thing, I were most happy; which is I dare not disclose myself to my dear Flametta, for she is a woman and full of tittle tattle as the rest are. Nor if I could win her without making myself known, durst I lie with her by reason of putting off Eo, Meo and Areo; otherwise sure I should get her, for sure she would not refuse a Duke.

Enter FLAMETTA. 

FLA. Here is the Duke alone, whom I so long
Have sought for to petition for the repeal
Of my dear Trappolin! Great Prince -- as low
As truest humility can make a suitor
Before you, I prostrate myself. Most excellent
And merciful sir, pity a loving maid
Who is bereaved of her joys! I beg,
Poor banished Trappolin might be recalled,
Whom when your Highness was to Milan gone
Was by those cruel lords whom you did leave
Our governors, sent into banishment.
Great Duke, you that have noble thoughts, and sure
A heart full of commiseration
Kill me not with a cruel hard denial! 

TRA. Ah! Eo, Meo and Areo hinder me, I must counterfeit with her. -- Fair maiden, rise!

FLA. O let me kneel, great sir, until you say
My Trappolin shall be repeal'd. 

TRA. Rise, I say, and we will talk of it. I cannot abide to see anybody kneel, unless they are in the church, that have legs to stand on. How may I call you, maiden? 

FLA. So please your Highness, my name is Flametta. 

TRA. Mrs. Flametta, I say give me your hand; rise without more ado -- rise without you mean to say your beads over. Mrs. Flametta, be rul'd good Mrs. Flametta, be rul'd. Would I were hanged if ever Trappolin come home and you get not up! Up I say, therefore. 

FLA. I must be most rude. 

TRA. Why that's well done, Mrs. Flametta. Trappolin, for whom you are a petitioner, young mistress, is banish'd you say? For what, it matters not. Tell me what you'll give for his repeal. 

FLA. Even anything I have, all that I have! 

TRA. Are you a virgin? Tell me true. If you are not, it is no wonder besworn; it is more wonder by the half if you are, for I think there be not two of your age in the city that be. 

FLA. May I not prosper in my wishes, sir, if I be not a maid. 

TRA. And will you give your maidenhead to have him recalled from banishment? 

FLA. To him, when he comes home and we are married. 

TRA. Well said, mistress! But tell me now, what will you give me for to have him come home?

FLA. Even anything I have. 

TRA. I am a great man, and like them will not do favours for nothing. Will you give me your shoes? 

FLA. My shoes? Your Highness jests. 

TRA. I swear unto you mistress, but I do not; and if you do not give me what I ask, how ridiculous soever it seems to you, Trappolin ne'er comes in Florence again. 

FLA. I wonder at the Duke, but will obey him! Here are my shoes, dear Prince. 

TRA. Well done, I say; but I must have your stockings too. Off with them, therefore without any more arguing. 

FLA. My stockings with all my heart, to have my Trappolin. 

TRA. Very well done, Mrs. Flametta. You do very well. Give me your gown, too. Do not wonder; these will do nothing without it.

FLA. Then, shall your Highness have it. 

TRA. I see you love that fellow well. 'Tis well done of you, I think he be an honest man which makes me the willinger to yield to his repeal. I say, I must have that petticoat too, else all this is not worth a rush, i'faith. 

FLA. I think the Duke's mad! -- And will you give me, then your Highness, word? 

TRA. I will. 

FLA. I cannot help it. Here it is. 

TRA. I swear unto thee, young wench, give me thy under petticoat and thy smock and I will give thee my word and send for him presently tonight. -- This wench makes me curse Eo Meo and Areo! 

FLA. Most excellent sir, there is not in the world
The thing that in my power lies I would
Deny to do for my dear Trappolin.
But modesty forbids me to do this! 

TRA. I shall not have them then? 

FLA. I beseech your Highness, pardon me! 

TRA. I am very sorry I could not see her naked, but it cannot be helped. -- Well, how many kisses will you give me, my young mistress? 

FLA. Kisses? Most gracious Prince, a thousand and a thousand times I'll kiss your hand upon my humble knees! 

TRA. I have no pleasure in that. How many kisses upon lips will you give me? 

FLA. For Trappolin's sake, I'll do anything that modesty will give me leave. Do what you please, sir. 

TRA. Ah, honey sweet Flametta, how I love thee! Prithee, kiss better dear lips. -- I could almost wish Eo, Meo and Areo i'th' fire! -- Again, again, again, sweet Flametta! 

FLA. Shall Trappolin come home? 

TRA. Do but let us kiss and thou shalt have anything. -- O me what a misery it is to be a great man! -- Again, again Flametta! Trappolin shall come home! 

FLA. I am aweary. 

TRA. So shall I never be. Again, again! 

Enter PRUDENTIA. 

FLA. The Princess, your Highness' sister! You have gi'n your word. 

TRA. Young mistress, I have not leisure to answer you now. Come to me some other time, and I'll talk with you further. Now take up your things and begone. 

FLA. I am assur'd I shall prevail; heavens guard your Highness. 

Exit. 

PRU. Now I expect my brother's rage for sure,
Though ne'er so secret kept my love unto
My dearest Horatio by some uncouth means
Is known -- Say what he will or can, I am
Resolved and my affections settled. 

TRA. Fair lady, come hither. You are my sister, are you? 

PRU. I am your sister, and servant, sir. 

TRA. Compliment with me no more than I compliment with you. Good madam sister, sit you down. I would talk with you a little. 

PRU. He talks as though he were distracted! -- I obey you, sir. 

TRA. 'Tis well done, good lady sister. 

PRU. I never saw my brother thus before!
-- Sir, I am exceeding glad to see you
Returned in safety out of Lombardy;
But should have been more joyful had you brought
Your Duchess with you. 

TRA. She'll come soon enough, ne'er fear 't -- but sister, I must be something brief, for I am a hungry. As soon as I came home, I saw Brunetto in the gaol, who after many circumstances and fears told me 'twas for love of you that he was put there. Tell me, sister Prudentia, do you love him? I'll be sworn the man is a good honest fellow. If you have a mind to him, I'll give you my consent with all my heart I vow, as I am an honest man and the Duke. I do not jest. 

PRU. Most worthy brother, thanks, I do confess
I love Brunetto, and were very guilty
Of cruelty if I did not; for he
Loves me, I know, as his own happiness;
Nor, sir, have I placed my affections
Unworthy. Brunetto is a Prince.
His name is Horatio, and he's second son
Unto the Duke of Savoy; for my sake
He changed his name and lives a prisoner. 

TRA. How's this! Is Brunetto a Prince? You love him, lady sister, you say? 

PRU. Most truly, sir, I do. 

TRA. Are you content to marry him? 

PRU. I do desire no greater bliss on earth,
So that your Highness will consent thereto. 

TRA. Lady sister, here is my hand; I am content, i'faith, without more words, I am. I am an hungry now, and would be brief, sister mine; I say marry him when you will, beshrew my heart and I be not content; I had rather you had him than any man in the world. 

PRU. I know not what to think! He's strangely chang'd. 

TRA. Let this suffice, madam sister; I am very hungry. I say, have you any good store of meat in the house? I could eat soundly now, sister, of a dish of sausages. Come, lady sister, let's to dinner. Begone -- I have a good stomach as I am an honest man.

Exeunt. 

SCENE II 

Enter MATTEMORES. 

MAT. I, that have led a life until of late
In spite of death, pass'd through the dangers of it
Dreadless, without regard, whom never men,
Conducted by brave captains to the field,
Did yet withstand, am won and vanquished!
Hipolita, heroic Amazon,
In love hath conquered me with amorous smiles!
Methinks it is a thing most full of wonder
That what not massy pikes nor murderous guns
Could ever do, a lady's smiling eyes,
The beauty of a timorous woman, should.
Her eyes have darted fire into my breast
Which nothing but her kindness can extinguish;
And be she cruel, I shall soon be ashes.
Do I thus yield? Shall I forget the sound
Of martial drums, the warlike noise of trumpets,
To list to the lascivious harmony
Of instruments touched by Hipolita's hand?
Shall I forget the ordering of a camp,
To ride great horses, to besiege a city.
To undermine a castle, to raise bulwarks,
All for the love of a fair, fearful woman?
It must be so. These legs that wont to lead
Arm'd men to battle, I must use in dances.
This hair that us'd to be covered with a helm,
Cloggy with sweat and blood, I now must powder.
These hands that wont to wave a dreadful sword,
Instead of iron gauntlets now must wear
Perfum'd gloves. I that had wont to be
Under the chirurgeon's hands to cure my wounds,
Must have a barber now to keep me neat.
O love, thou art divine, and canst transform
A man from what he was! It is in vain
To think to shun the thing thou dost constrain. 

Enter HIPOLITA, singing. [Suggested tune: An Old Woman Poor and Blind.]

HIP.
'Tis idleness that is the cause
We lose our liberties.
The busy Cupid never draws
To yield unto his vice.
Away with love; it is a thing
I hope I ne'er shall know.
When many weep, so I shall sing,
Have joy while they have woe.

The happiness of love is poor,
Compar'd to liberty.
Blest lovers do hard things endure
Their pleasures to enjoy;
May I live ever as I do,
Free from that foolish pain.
I wish that no man may me woo
Until I love again.

MAT.
O heavens, is thus her mind composed? If I
Can win this lady, it will be a conquest
Deserves a trophy, far above my best
Of victories! I will go try her.
Hail Glory of Italy, compar'd to whom
The fair Egyptian queen would yield!
-- Sweet lady, Most excellent Hipolita, vouchsafe
To hear me tell your conquest and my spoil,
Whom the great Duke's greatest foes could never vanquish,
Your powerful beauty hath. Know Mattemores,
Whose valour Spain not only doth report,
But Mantua hath prov'd, your matchless eyes,
Transcendants of the brightest lightest stars,
Have wounded fatally unto the heart,
Unless you prove as kind as you are fair. 

HIP. Do you jest with me, Captain? 

MAT. My heart's delight, sweet centre of my thoughts,
I vow by your rich beauty if my heart
Could speak it would agree full with my tongue;
I would tell my love more than I can express. 

HIP. What ill fortune, good signor, you have had
To fall in love with one deserves it not;
Nor doth not care for you,
And I do hope I ne'er shall bear affection unto man. 

MAT. Patience assist me mightily. Not all
The murderous cannon bullets I have heard
Fly buzzing by my ears, nor dismal cries
Of dying soldiers, nor the horrid noise
Of rough tempestuous seas, have ever moved me.
Only your harsh, unkind reply hath struck
Unto my very soul! 

HIP. I cannot help it.
Had you now, Captain, been abroad i'th' field,
This ne'er had happened to you, and to cure you
The field will be the best. Go to the wars!
Busy yourself in fights, and you will soon
Forget you ever saw Hipolita. 

MAT. Most cruel, fair one! Be assur'd that ere
I would forget you, which I know's a thing
For me impossible to do, I would
Into oblivion cast my best of pleasures,
Even all my pleasures! I would forget to use
My sword and all the military science.
Witness, triumphant son of Jove, great Mars,
I vow by all the honours of a soldier,
I love thee dear as mine own heart, but this
Admirable lady much above it.
Nor do I displease thee in 't: I know that thou
Prefer'st the embraces of the Cyprian queen
Above the glorious battles of the field.
Therefore, dear lady, be most confident
While I have memory above all things,
Your beauty will be fixed in't. 

HIP. Good signor,
Trouble me not to answer you again.
Let this suffice: I wish you lik'd me not,
Because I neither would have you, nor any
To love a woman will not return affection. 

MAT. O heavens! Will you continue thus obdurate ever? 

HIP. Always believe it, Captain. 

MAT. I have not patience to contain myself!
An angry cloud, full fraught with thunderbolts
Work'd by the Cyclops on Campagnia's stithy,
Now hanging o'er my head menacing death,
Presaging speedy sad destruction ,
Could not compel my silence! 'Tis decreed
By my adverse malignant stars, that I
Shall die destroy'd by a fair cruel woman --
Which ere I do, I will a little ease
My troubled heart of woe! Hear merciless woman,
Whom I do curse because I love so dearly,
Hear me: and afterwards go glory that
Your wondrous beauty and your savage heart
Hath made a man distracted, kill'd a soldier. 

HIP. A captain; and be thus mov'd by a woman's refusal. 

MAT. Sweetest Hipolita, be merciful and save
His life that honours you above the world. 

HIP. Pray you, signor, be answered. 

MAT. You are resolv'd then to ruin me?
Curs'd be those battles all that I have fought
And conquer'd in! 'T had been more honour for me
To have been slain by my incensed foes,
Which were brave soldiers, than to die in peace
By the unkindness of a fair, proud woman!

HIP. Beseech you, leave your rage and leave me, Captain. 

MAT. More cruel than Hyrcanian tigers, hear
Me take my leave before I go! 

HIP. Proceed. 

MAT. Thou god of love, an if thou art a god,
Revenge thyself and thy wrong'd deity
On this unmerciful lady! Make her fall
In love with the basest of all mankind,
A man so full of ignorance that he
In shape alone may differ from a beast,
Not know that she is fair, and slight her beauty,
And be himself the most deformed thing
That ever burdened our mother earth
With his unworthy steps! Cupid attend
And yield unto my just request! Make this
Lady run mad for such a monster, shed
A thousand thousand tears upon her knees,
While he stands laughing at her! May you die
Raging for love, Hipolita, as I. 

HIP. I do begin to pity him. Sure I never
Shall have a man to love me better, and though
I once intended always to live single,
His words have altered my resolution;
Nor if I take him shall I do a thing
Will misbecome me, for he is a man
High in the great Duke's favour. -- Noble Captain?
It is your happy fate to conquer always
I vow unto you by my honour I think
Most seriously no man upon the earth
Besides you could have won. I'm the last
Of all your victories. Theseus, like you have
Overcome Hipolita. 

MAT. And will you love me then? 

HIP. I do and always will!

MAT. Blest be the stars that shin'd at my nativity!
I want words to express my joys, but dearest lady,
My sweet Hipolita, my forward actions
Shall make you know my heart above my tongue.
I am a soldier, and was never wont
To speak amorously.

HIP. You have said enough.
Love is but thought by words, by deeds 'tis known.
Show me you love me, and let words alone. 

MAT. Worthiest of ladies: when I cease to do
All that I can, then may your love cease, too.

Exeunt.

On to Act Four.