A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 79

CRI. At what?

PAN. At this rare perspicil and autocousticon: For with these two I'll hear and see all secrets; Undo intelligencers. Pray, let my man see What's done in Rome; his eyes are just as yours are.

RON. Pandolfo, are you mad? be wise and secret; See you the steep danger you are tumbling in?

Know you not that these instruments have power To unlock the hidden'st closets of whole states?

And you reveal such mysteries to a servant?

Sir, be advis'd, or else you learn no more Of our unknown philosophy.

PAN. Enough.

What news from Lelio? Shall I have his sister?

CRI. He swears and vows he never will consent.

She shall not play with worn antiquities, Nor lie with snow and statues; and such replies That I omit for reverence of your worship.

PAN. Not have his sister! Cricca, I will have Flavia, Maugre his head:[255] by means of this astrologer, I'll enjoy Flavia. Are the stars yet inclin'd To his divine approach?

RON. One minute brings him.

CRI. What 'strologer?

PAN. The learned man I told thee, The high Almanac of Germany; an Indian Far beyond Trebisond and Tripoli, Close by the world's end: a rare conjuror And great astrologer. His name, pray, sir?

RON. Alb.u.mazarro Meteoroscopico.

CRI. A name of force to hang him without trial.

PAN. As he excels in science, so in t.i.tle.

He tells of lost plate, horses, and stray'd cattle Directly, as he had stol'n them all himself.

CRI. Or he or some of his confederates.

PAN. As thou respect'st thy life, look to thy tongue; Alb.u.mazar has an autocousticon.

Be silent, reverent, and admire his skill.

See what a promising countenance appears!

Stand still and wonder--wonder and stand still.

SCENE V.

ALb.u.mAZAR, RONCA, PANDOLFO, CRICCA.

ALB. Ronca, the bunch of planets new found out, Hanging at the end of my best perspicil, Send them to Galileo at Padua:[256]

Let him bestow them where he please. But the stars, Lately discover'd 'twixt the horns of Aries, Are as a present for Pandolfo's marriage, And hence styl'd Sidera Pandolfaea.

PAN. My marriage, Cricca! he foresees my marriage: O most celestial Alb.u.mazar!

CRI. And sends y' a present from the head of Aries.[257]

ALB. My almanac, made for the meridian And height of j.a.pan, give't th' East India Company; There may they smell the price of cloves and pepper, Monkeys and china dishes, five years ensuing.

And know the success of the voyage of Magores;[258]

For, in the volume of the firmament, We children of the stars read things to come, As clearly as poor mortals stories pa.s.s'd In Speed or Holinshed. The perpetual motion[259]

With a true 'larum in't, to run twelve hours 'Fore Mahomet's return,[260] deliver it safe To a Turkey factor: bid him with care present it From me to the house of Ottoman.

RON. I will, sir.

CRI. Pray you, stand here, and wonder now for me; Be astonish'd at his jargon,[261] for I cannot.

I'll p.a.w.n[262] my life he proves a mere impostor. [_Aside._

PAN. Peace, not a word, be silent and admire.

ALB. As for the issue of the next summer's wars.

Reveal't to none, keep it to thyself in secret, As touchstone of my skill in prophecy. Begone.

RON. I go, sir. [_Exit._

ALB. Signior Pandolfo, I pray you, pardon me, Exotical despatches of great consequence Stay'd me; and casting the nativity O' th' Cham of Tartary, and a private conference With a mercurial intelligence.

Y' are welcome in a good hour, better minute, Best second, happiest third, fourth, fifth, and scruple.

Let the twelve houses of the horoscope Be lodg'd with fort.i.tudes and fortunates,[263]

To make you bless'd in your designs, Pandolfo.

PAN. Were't not much trouble to your starry employments, I, a poor mortal, would entreat your furtherance In a terrestrial business.

ALB. My ephemeris[264] lies, Or I foresee your errand. Thus, 'tis thus.

You had a neighbour call'd Antonio, A widower like yourself, whose only daughter, Flavia, you love, and he as much admir'd Your child Sulpitia. Is not this right?

PAN. Yes, sir: O strange! Cricca, admire in silence.

ALB. You two decreed a countermatch betwixt you, And purposed to truck daughters. Is't not so?

PAN. Just as you say't. Cricca, admire and wonder.

CRI. This is no such secret: look to yourself; he'll cheat you.

[_Aside._]

ALB. Antonio, after this match concluded, Having great sums of gold in Barbary, Desires of you, before he consummate The rites of matrimony, he might go thither For three months; but as now 'tis three and three, Since he embark'd, and is not yet return'd; Now, sir, your business is to me to know Whether Antonio be dead or living.

I'll tell you instantly.

PAN. Hast thou reveal'd it?

I told it none but thee.

CRI. Not I.

PAN. Why stare you?

Are you not well?

ALB. I wander 'twixt the poles And heavenly hinges, 'mongst excentricals, Centres, concentrics, circles, and epicycles, To hunt out an aspect fit for your business.

CRI. Mean ostentation! For shame, awake yourself. [_Aside._