By some physicians for a month or two, In hope of freedom from a fever's torments, Spurn coward passion: so illustrious mention 'TIS PITY SHE'S A WHORE: A TRAGEDY. Giovanni, a Young Gentleman of Parma, entertains an illicit love for his Sister. He asks counsel of Bonaventura, a Friar*. FRIAR. GIOVANNI. Friar. Dispute no more in this, for know, young man, These are no school-points; nice philosophy May tolerate unlikely arguments, But heaven admits no jests! wits that presumed Gio. Gentle father, To you have I unclasp'd my burthen'd soul, Another word untold, which hath not spoke The good Friar in this Play is evidently a Copy of Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet. He is the same kind Physician to the Souls of his young Charges; but he has more desperate Patients to deal with. All what I ever durst, or think, or know; Gio. Must I not praise That beauty which, if framed anew, the Gods Gio. Shall a peevish sound, A customary form, from man to man, 'Twixt my perpetual happiness and me? Fri. Have done, unhappy youth, for thou art lost. Gio. No, father: in your eyes I see the change Of pity and compassion: from your age, As from a sacred oracle, distils The life of counsel. Tell me, holy man, What cure shall give me ease in these extremes ? Friar. Repentance, son, and sorrow for this sin: For thou hast moved a majesty above With thy unguarded almost blasphemy. Gio. O do not speak of that, dear confessor. Thy government, behaviour, learning, speech, For death waits on thy lust.Look through the world, And thou shalt see a thousand faces shine More glorious than this idol thou adorest. Leave her, and take thy choice; 'tis much less sin : Yet hear my counsel ! Gio. As a voice of life. Friar. Hie to thy father's house, there lock thee fast Alone within thy chamber, then fall down On both thy knees, and grovel on the ground; Giovanni discloses his Passion to his Sister Annabella.- Anna. Do you mock me, or flatter me? (He has been praising her beauty.) Gio. If you would see a beauty more exact Than art can counterfeit, or nature frame, Look in your glass and there behold your own. Anna. O you are a trim youth. Gio. Here. (Offers his dagger to her.) Anna. What to do? Gio. And here's my breast. Strike home, Rip up my bosom; there thou shalt behold Anna. Are you in earnest ? Gio. Yes, most earnest. You cannot love. Anna. Whom? Gio. Me.- -My tortur'd soul Anna. Forbid it, my just fears. If this be true 'twere fitter I were dead. Gio. True, Annabella! 'tis no time to jest ; I have too long suppress'd my hidden flames, That almost have consum'd me: I have spent Many a silent night in sighs and groans, Ran over all my thoughts, despis'd my fate, Reason'd against the reasons of my love, Done all that smooth-cheek'd virtue could advise, But found all bootless: 'tis my destiny That you must either love, or I must die. Anna. Comes this in sadness from you? Gio. Let some mischief Befall me soon, if I dissemble aught. Anna. You are my brother, Giovanni. My sister, Annabella, I know this: And could afford you instance why to love: He gives some sophistical Reasons, and resumes. Must I now live or die? Anna. Live: thou hast won The field, and never fought. What thou hast urg'd, I blush to tell thee (but I tell thee now) Anna. On my knees, (She kneels.) Brother, even by our mother's dust, I charge you, Do not betray me to your mirth or hate; Love me, or kill me, brother. Gio. On my knees, (He kneels.) Sister, even by my mother's dust, I charge you, Do not betray me to your mirth or hate; Love me, or kill me, sister. Anna. You mean good sooth, then? Gio. In good truth I do; And so do you, I hope say, I'm in earnest. Anna. I'll swear it; and I. Gio. And I. I would not change this minute for Elysium. Annabella proves pregnant by her Brother. Sorano, her Husband, to whom she is newly married, discovers that she is pregnant, but cannot make her confess by whom. At length by means of Vasques, his servant, he comes to the truth of it. He feigns forgiveness and reconcilement with his Wife: and makes a sumptuous Feast to which are invited Annabella's old Father, with Giovanni, and all the chief Citizens in Parma; meaning to entrap Giovanni by that bait to his death. -Annabella suspects his drift. |