A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 86

TRIN. Gone newly home to choose a chamber fitting For trans.m.u.tation. So: now my heart's at ease.

CRI. I fear the skill and cunning of Alb.u.mazar With his black art, by whom Pandolfo seeks To compa.s.s Flavia, spite of her brother Lelio And his own son Eugenio, that loves her dearly.

I'll lose no time, but find them, and reveal The plot, and work to cross this accident. [_Aside._]

But, Trincalo, art thou so rash and vent'rous To be transform'd with hazard of thy life?

TRIN. What care I for a life, that have a lease For three: but I am certain there's no danger in't.

CRI. No danger! cut thy finger, and that pains thee; Then what will't do to shred and mince thy carcase, Bury't in horse-dung, mould it new, and turn it T' Antonio? and, when th' art chang'd, if Lelio Smell out your plot, what worlds of punishment Thou must endure! Poor Trincalo! the desire Of gains abuses thee: be not transform'd.

TRIN. Cricca, thou understand'st not: for Antonio, Whom I resemble, suffers all, not I.

CRI. Yonder they come; I'll hence, and haste to Lelio. [_Exit._

SCENE V.

ALb.u.mAZAR, PANDOLFO, TRINCALO.[293]

ALB. The chamber's fit: provide the plate and hangings, And other necessaries: give strict order The room be cleans'd, perfum'd, and hang'd; meanwhile, With astrolabe[294] and meteoroscope,[295]

I'll find the cusp[296] and alfridaria,[297]

And know what planet is in cazimi.[298]

PAN. All shall be ready, sir, as you command it.

TRIN. Doctor Alb.u.mazar, I have a vein of drinking; An[299] artery of lechery runs through my body: Pray, when you turn me, gentlemen, preserve Those two, if't may be done with reputation.

ALB. Fear not; I'll only call the first good fellowship,[300]

And th' other civil recreation.

TRIN. And when you come To th' heart, spoil not the love of Armellina; And in my brain leave as much discretion As may spy falsehood in a tavern reckoning; And let me alone for bounty to wink and pay't; And if you change me perfectly, I'll bring y' a dozen knights for customers.

ALB. I warrant thee. Sir, are you well instructed In all these necessaries?

PAN. They're in my table-book.

ALB. Forget not clothes for th' new transform'd, and robes For me to sacrifice--you know the fashion.

I'll rather change five, than apparel one: For men have living souls--clothes are unanimate.

PAN. Here, take this ring, deliver it to my brother, An officer in the Wardrobe; he'll furnish you With robes and clothes of any stuff or fashion.

ALB. Almuten Alchochoden[301] of the stars attend you.

PAN. I kiss your hands, divine astrologer.

SCENE VI.

PANDOLFO, TRINCALO.

PAN. Up quickly, Trincalo, to my child Sulpitia; Bid her lay out my fairest damask tablecloths, The fairest Holland sheets, all the silver plate, Two gossip's cups of gold, my greatest diamonds: Make haste.

TRIN. As fast as Alchochoden and Almuten Can carry me; for (sure) these two are devils.

PAN. This is that blessed day I so much long'd for.

Four hours' attendance, till my man be chang'd, Fast locks me in the lovely arms of Flavia.

Away, Trincalo! how slow the day Slides on! when we desire time's haste, It seems to lose a match with lobsters; And when we wish him stay, he imps his wings With feathers plum'd with thought.[302] Why, Trincalo!

TRIN. Here, sir.

PAN. Come, let's away for cloth of silver, Wine, and materials for the sacrifice. [_Exeunt._

SCENE VII.

LELIO, EUGENIO, CRICCA.

LEL. Eugenio, these words are wonders past belief.

Is your old father of so poor a judgment, To think it in the power of man to turn One person to another?

EUG. Lelio, his desire T' enjoy your sister Flavia begets hope, Which, like a waking dream, makes false appearance Lively as truth itself.

LEL. But who's the man That works these miracles?

EUG. An astrologer.

LEL. How deals astrology with trans.m.u.tation?

CRI. Under the veil and colour of astrology, He clouds his h.e.l.lish skill in necromancy.

Believe it, by some art or false imposture, He'll much disturb your love, and yours, Eugenio.

LEL. Eugenio, 'tis high time for us t' awake; And, as you love our Flavia, and I Your sister, fair Sulpitia, let's do something Worthy their beauties. Who falls into a sea Swoll'n big with tempest, but he boldly beats The waves with arms and legs to save his life?

So let us strive 'gainst troublous storms of love With our best power, lest after we ascribe The loss to our dull negligence, not fortune.

EUG. Lelio, had I no interest in your sister, The holy league of friendship should command me, Besides the seconding Sulpitia's love, Who to your n.o.bleness commends her life.

LEL. She cannot outlove me,[303] nor you outfriend me; For th' sacred name whereof I have rejected Your father's offers, importunities, Letters, conditions, servants, friends, and, lastly, His tender of Sulpitia in exchange For Flavia. But though I love your sister Like mine own soul, yet did the laws of friendship Master that strong affection, and deni'd him.

EUG. Thanks ever, and as long shall my best service Wait on your will. Cricca, our hope's in thee; Thou must instruct us.

CRI. You must trust in fortune, That makes or mars the wisest purposes.

LEL. What say'st? what think'st?

CRI. Here's no great need of thinking Nor speech; the oil of scorpions cures their poison.

The thing itself that's bent to hurt and hinder you, Offers a remedy: 'tis no sooner known, But th' worst on't is prevented.

EUG. How, good Cricca?

CRI. Soon as you see this false Antonio Come near your doors, with speeches made of purpose, Full of humility and compa.s.sion; With long narrations, how he 'scap'd from shipwreck, And other feign'd inventions of his dangers, Bid him begone; and if he press to enter, Fear not the reverence of your father's looks; Cudgel him thence.