A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 104

PAN. 'Tis o' th' further side All expectation.

ANT. Was't not right, and spoken Like old Antonio?

PAN.[353] 'Tis most admirable!

Were't he himself that spoke, he could not better't.

And for thy sake I wish Antonio's shape May ever be thy house, and's wit thy inmate.

But where's my plate and cloth of silver?

ANT. Safe.

PAN. They come. Keep state, keep state, or all's discover'd.

SCENE VI.

ANTONIO, PANDOLFO, EUGENIO, LELIO, FLAVIA, SULPITIA.

ANT. Eugenio, Flavia, Lelio, and Sulpitia, Marriages, once confirm'd and consummate, Admit of no repentance. Therefore 'tis fitting All parties with full freedom speak their pleasure, Before it be too late.

PAN. Good! excellent!

ANT. Speak boldly, therefore. Do you willingly Give full authority, that what I decree Touching these businesses, you'll all perform?

EUG. I rest as you dispose: what you determine, With my best power I ratify; and Sulpitia, I dare be bold to promise, says no less.

SUL. Whate'er my father, brother, and yourself Shall think convenient, pleaseth me.

LEL. In this, As in all other service, I commit myself To your commands; and so, I hope, my sister.

FLA. With all obedience: sir, dispose of me As of a child that judgeth nothing good, But what you shall approve.

ANT. And you, Pandolfo?

PAN. I, most of all. And for you know[354] the minds Of youth are apt to promise, and as p.r.o.ne To repent after, 'tis my advice they swear T' observe, without exception, your decree.

FLA. Content.

SUL. Content.

PAN. By all the powers that hear Oaths, and rain vengeance upon broken faith, I promise to confirm and ratify Your sentence.

LEL. Sir, I swear no less.

EUG. Nor I.

FLA. The selfsame oath binds me.

SUL. And me the same.

PAN. Now, dear Antonio, all our expectation

Hangs at your mouth. None of us can appeal From you to higher courts.

ANT. First, for preparative Or slight praeludium to the greater matches, I must entreat you, that my Armellina Be match'd with Trincalo. Two hundred crowns I give her for her portion.

PAN. 'Tis done. Some relics Of his old clownery and dregs o' th' country Dwell in him still. How careful he provides For himself first. [_Aside._] Content: and more, I grant him A lease for twenty pounds a year.

ANT. I thank you.

Gentlemen, since I feel myself much broken With age and my late miseries, and too cold To entertain new heat, I freely yield Sulpitia, whom I lov'd, to my son Lelio.

PAN. How cunningly hath the farmer provided T' observe the 'semblance of Antonio's person, And keep himself still free for Armellina!

ANT. Signior Pandolfo, y' are wise, and understand How ill hot appet.i.tes of unbridled youth Become grey hairs. How grave and honourable Were't for your age to be enamour'd With the fair shape of virtue and the glory Of our forefathers! Then would you blush to think How by this dotage and unequal love You stain their honour and your own. Awake!

Banish those wild affections, and by my example Turn t' your reposed self.

PAN. To what purpose, pray you, Serves this long proem? on to th' sentence.

ANT. Sir, Conformity of years, likeness of manners, Are Gordian knots that bind up matrimony: Now, betwixt seventy winters and sixteen There's no proportion, nor least hope of love.

Fie! that a gentleman of your discretion, Crown'd with such reputation in your youth, Should in your western days[355] lose th' good opinion Of all your friends, and run to th' open danger Of closing the weak remnant of your days With discontentment[356] unrecoverable.

PAN. Rack me no more; pray you, let's hear the sentence.

Note how the a.s.s would fright me, and endear His service: intimating that his pow'r May overthrow my hopes. [_Aside._] Proceed to th' sentence.

ANT. These things consider'd, I bestow my daughter Upon your son Eugenio, whose constant love, With his so modest carriage, hath deserv'd her; And, that you freeze not for a bed-fellow, I marry you with patience.

PAN. Treacherous villain!

Accursed Trincalo! [_Aside._] I'll---- But this no place; He's too well back'd; but shortly, when the date Of his Antonioship's expir'd, revenge Shall sweeten this disgrace.

ANT. Signior Pandolfo, When you recover yourself, lost desperately In disproportion'd dotage, then you'll thank me For this great favour. Be not obstinate: Disquiet not yourself.

PAN. I thank you, sir. [_Exeunt all but_ PANDOLFO.

SCENE VII.

PANDOLFO.

_And that you freeze not for a bed-fellow, I marry you with patience!_ Traitorous villain!

Is't not enough to wrong me and betray me, But 't must be done with scoffs? accursed Trincalo!

And me most miserable that, when I thought T' embrace young Flavia, see her before my face Bestow'd upon my son! my son--my rival!

This is Eugenio's plot and his friend Lelio's; Who, with my servant Cricca, have conspir'd, And suborn'd Trincalo to betray his master.

Why do I rage 'gainst any but myself, That have committed such a serious business To th' hands of a base clown and ignorant?

I see mine error, but no means to help it.

Only the sweetness of revenge is left me, Which I must execute: th' hours of's gentry Are now clean spent. I'll home, and there attend him. [_Exit._

SCENE VIII.

TRINCALO _drunk, but something recovered_.