Will sometimes tender things unnecessary, Misconstrue not my purpose!

Clar. Sir, I dare not;

But still receive it as a large addition
To the much that I already stand engag'd for.
Yet, pardon me tho' I profess, upon
A true examination of myself,

Even to my private thoughts, I cannot find
(Having such strong supporters to uphold me)
On what slight ground the least doubt can
be rais'd,

To render me suspected I can fall
Or from my fame or virtue.

Ces. Far be't from me,

To nourish such a thought! and yet excuse me, As you would do a lapidary, whose whole

To cast one cloud upon it, but still keep
Her native splendor.

Ces. 'Tis well; I commend you;
And study your advancement with that care
As I would do a sister's, whom I love
With more than common ardor2.

Clar. That from me

I hope's return'd to you.

Ces. I do confess it.

Yet let me tell you, (but still with that love
I wish t'eucrease between us) that you are
Observ'd, against the gravity long maintain'd
In Italy (where to see a maid unmask'd
Is held a blemish), to be over-frequent
In giving or receiving visits.

Clar. How?

[picture,

Ces. Whereas the custom's here to wooe by And never sce the substance. You are fair, And beauty draws temptations on, you know it:

I would not live to see a willing grant
From you, to one unworthy of your birth,
Feature or fortune; yet there have been ladies
Of rank, proportion, and of means beyond

Clar. I've reason! But, in cold blood, tell Had we not one father?

Ces. Yes, and mother too.
Clar. And he a soldier?

Ces. True.

Clar. If I then borrow

A little of the boldness of his temper,
Imparting it to such as may deserve it,
(Howe'er indulgent to yourselves, you brothers
Allow no part of freedom to your sisters)
I hope 'twill not pass for a came in me,
To grant access and speech to noble suitors,
And you escape for innocent, that descend
To a thing so far beneath you? Are you
touch'd?

Why, did you think that you had Grges' ring?
Or th' herb that gives invisibility?

Or that Biancha's name had ne'er been mention'd?

The Fair Maid of the grand Osteria, brother? Ces. No more!

Clar. A little, brother. Your night-walks, And offer'd presents, which coy she cou temn'd;

Your combats in disguises with your rivals,

Brarc

Your modesty in this violent heat! The truth is,
(For you shall be my confessor) I love her;
But virtuously report, that gives her out
Only for fair, and adds not she is chaste,
Detracts much from her; for indeed she is,
Tho' of a low condition, compos'd

Of all the graces dames of highest birth,
Tho' rich in nature's bounties, should be
proud of.

But leave her! and to you, my nearest care,
My dearest, best Clarissa! Do not think
(For then you wrong me) I wish you should
live

A barren virgin life! I rather aim at

A noble husband, that may make you mother Of many children; one that, when I know him

Worth your embraces, I may serve and sue to: And therefore scorn not to acquaint me with That man, that happy man, you please to favour!

Clar. I ever purpos'd it; for I will like With your allowance.

Ces. As a pawn of this, Receive this ring; but, ere you part with it On any terms, be certain of your choice, And make it known to me!

Enter Alberto, Baptista, Mariana, Menticole, and Sercants with lights.

Clar. You have my hand for't.

Ces. Which, were it not my sister's, I should kiss

With too much heat.

Clar. My father and his guests, sir!
Alb. Oh, my old friend, my tried friend,
my Baptista!

These days of rest and feasting suit not with
Our tougher natures: those were golden ones,
Which were enjoy'd at sea! that's our true
mother;

The land's to us a step-dame: there we sought Honour and weaith thro' dangers; yet those dangers

Never to be forgot.

Bapt. Never, I hope. [roaring cannon Alb. We were married there: for bells, the Aloud proclaim'd it lawful, and a prize Then newly ta'en, and equally divided, Serv'd as a dowry to you, then stil'd my wife; And did enable ine to be a husband Fit to encounter so much wealth, tho' got With blood and horror.

Mar. If so got, 'tis fit, sir,

Now you possess it, that you should enjoy it In peace and quiet: I, your son, and daughter, That reap the harvest of your winter's labour, Tho' debtors for it, yet have often trembled, When, in way of discourse, you have related How you came by it.

Ath. Trembled? How the softness
Of your sex may excuse you, I'll not argue;
But to the world, howe'er I hold thee noble,
I should proclaim this boy some coward's
bastard,

And not the image of Albertus' youth,
If when some wish'd occasion calls him forth
To a brave trial, one weak artery

Of his should shew a fever, tho' grim death Put on a thousand dreadful shapes to fright him.

The elements, the sea, and all the winds
We number on our compass, then conspiring
To make the scene more ghastly! I must have
thee,

Sirrah, I must, if once you grapple with
An enemy's ship, to board her, tho' you see

Tt2

R.

The

[madam,

Bapt. Yes, Since it prov'd fatal: to have been happy, Adds to calamity; and the heavy loss Of her I durst not hope for, once enjoy'd, Turns what you think a blessing to a curse, Which grief would have forgotten.

Alb. I am sorry

I touch'd upon it.

Mar. I burn rather, sir,

With a desire to hear the story of

Your loves; and shall receive it as a favour, Which you may grant.

Bapt. You must not be denied; Yet with all brevity I must report it. 'Tis true, fair Juliana, (Genoa's pride) Enamour'd of my actions, lik'd my person; Nor could I but with joy meet her affection, Since it was lawful; for, my first wife dead, We were closely married, and for some few

months

Tasted the fruits of't: but malicious fate, Envying our too-much happiness, wrought upon

A faithless servant, privy to our plot,
And cabinet counsellor to Juliana,
Who, either for hope, or reward, or fear,
Discover'd us to the incensed duke,
Whose rage made her close prisoner, and
pronounc'd
[years
On me perpetual banishment. Some three
I wander'd on the seas, since entertain'd
By the great duke of Florence; but what fate
Attended her, or Prospero iny friend,
That stay'd at Genoa to expect the issue,
Is yet uncertain.

To snore it out, like drunken Dutchmen, would

Sort ill with us Italians: we are made
Of other metal, fiery, quick, and active.
Shall we take our fortune? and, while our
cold fathers
[dead)
(In whom long since their youthful heats were
Talk much of Mars, serve under Venus' en-
And seek a mistress?
[sigus,

Ces. that's a game, dear friend,
That does admit no rival in chase of it?
And either to be undertook alone
Or not to be attempted.

Ment. I'll not press you.

What other sports to entertain the time with The following morning?

Ces. Any that may become us. [sent you, Ment. Is the Neapolitan horse the viceroy In a fit plight to run?

Ces. So my groom tells me.

I can boast little of my horsemanship;
Yet, upon his assurance, I dare wager
A thousand crowns, 'gainst any horse in Flo-

rence,

For an eight-mile course.

Ment. I would not win of you, In respect you are inpatient of loss; Else I durst match him with my Barbary For twice the sum.

Ces. You do well to excuse it, Being certain to be beaten. Ment. Tush, you know

The contrary.

Ces. To end the controversy,
Put it to trial; by my life, I'll meet you
Enter Clarissa.

With the next rising sun.

Ment. A match! But here

Appears a Cynthia, that scorns to borrow A beam of light from the great eye of Heav'n, She being herself all brightness: how I envy Those amorous smiles, those kisses, but sure chaste ones,

Which she vouchsafes her brother!

Clar. You are wanton:

Pray you think me not Biancha; leave, I pray you!

My mother will not sleep before she see you; And since you know her tenderness, nay fond[safety,

ness,

In every circumstance that concerns your You are not equal to her.

Ces. I must leave you;

But will not fail to meet you.
Ment. Soft sleeps to you!
Mar. [within] Cesario!
Clar. You're call'd again,
Ces. Some sons

Seward reads,

Seward.

Since it prov'd so fatal;

? Equal.] i. e. Just.

thereby destroying both sense and measure.'

Complain

consume me;

And, on the contrary, should your disdain Keep me at too much distance, and I want Their comfortable heat, the frost of death Would seize on all my faculties.

Ciur. Pray you pause, sir! [tire you: This vehemency of discourse must else needs These gay words take not me; 'tis simple faith,

Honest integrity, and lawful flames,
I am delighted with.

Ment. Such I bring with me;

And therefore, lady

Clar. But that you took me off Ere I came to a period, I had added

A long experience must be requir'd

Both of his faith and trust, with whom a virgin

Trafficks for what is dearest in this life,
Her liberty and honour. I confess

I oft have view'd you with an eye of favour; And, with your generous parts, the many tenders

Of doing me all fair offices, have won
A good opinion from me—

Ment. Oh, speak ever!

I never heard such music.

Clar. A plain tune, sir, But 'tis a hearty one. When I perceive, By evident proofs, your aims are truly noble, And that you bring the engines of fair love, Not of foul lust, to shake and undermine My maiden fortress, I may then make good What now I dare not promise.

Ment. You already,

In taking notice of my poor deservings,

Have been magnificent, and 'twill appear
A frontless impudence to ask beyond this:
Yet qualify, tho' not excuse, my error,
Tho' now I am ambitious to desire
A confirmation of it!

Clar. So it wrong not
My modesty to grant it.

Ment. 'Tis far from me;

I only am a suitor you would grace me With some toy, but made rich in that you wore it,

To warrant to the world that I usurp not, When I presume to stile myself your servant! A ribbon from your shoe.

Clar. You are too humble;

I'll think upon't, and something of more value Shall witness how I prize you. It grows late; I'll bring you to the door.

Ment. You still more bind me. [Exeunt. Enter Duke, Albertus, Baptista, Magistrates and Attendants.

Duke. You find, by this assur'd intelligence, The preparation of the Turk against us. We've met him oft and beat him; now to fear him

Would argue want of courage; and I hold it
A safer policy for us and our signiories,
To charge him in his passage o'er the sea,
Than to expect him here.

Alb. May it please your highness,
Since you vouchsafe to think me worthy of
This great employment, if I may deliver
My judgment freely, 'tis not flattery
Tho I say my opinion waits on you;
Nor would I give my suffrage and consent
To what you have propos'd, but that I
know it

Worth the great speaker, tho' that the denial Call'd on your heavy anger. For myself

I do profess thus much, if a blunt soldier May borrow so much from the oil'd-tongu'd courtier,

(I hat echoes whatsoe'er the prince allows of)
All that my long experience hath taught me,
That have spent three parts of my life at sea,
(Let it not taste of arrogance that I say it)
Could not have added reasons of more weight
To fortify your affections, than such
As your grace out of observation merely
Already have propounded.

Bapt. With the honour

To give the daring enemy an affront
In being the first opposer, it will teach
Your soldiers boldness, and strike fear in them
That durst attempt you.

1 Magis. Victuals and ammunition, And money too, the sinews of the war, Are stor'd up in the magazine.

2 Magis. And the gallics

Seward.

New