A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume Xi Part 103

FUR. Search your nativity; see if the Fortunates And Luminaries be in a good aspect, And thank us for thy life. Had we done well, We had cut thy throat ere this.

ALB. Alb.u.mazar, Trust not these rogues: hence, and revenge.

RON. Fellows, away; here's company. Let's hence. [_Exeunt._

SCENE II.

CRICCA, PANDOLFO.

CRI. Now, Cricca, mask thy countenance in joy; Speak welcome language of good news, and move Thy master, whose desires are credulous, To believe what thou giv'st him. If thy design Land at the haven 'tis bound for, then Lelio, Eugenio, and their mistresses, are oblig'd By oath t' a.s.sure a state of forty pounds Upon thee for thy life.

PAN. I long to know How my good farmer speeds; how Trincalo Hath been receiv'd by Lelio.

CRI. Where shall I find him?

What we most seek still flies us; what's avoided, Follows or meets us full. I am emboss'd[349]

With trotting all the streets to find Pandolfo, And bless him with good news.

PAN. This haste of Cricca Abodes some good: doubtless my Trincalo, Receiv'd for Antonio, hath given me Flavia.

Cricca!

CRI. Neither in Paul's,[350] at home, nor in the Exchange, Nor where he uses to converse! he's lost, And must be cried.

PAN. Turn hither, Cricca; Cricca, Seest me not?

CRI. Sir, the news, and haste to tell it, Had almost blinded me. 'Tis so fortunate, I dare not pour it all at once upon you, Lest you should faint, and swoon away with joy: Your transform'd Trincalo----

PAN. What news of him?

CRI. Enter'd as owner in Antonio's house----

PAN. On.

CRI. Is acknowledg'd by his daughter Flavia And Lelio for their father.

PAN. Quickly, good Cricca!

CRI. And hath sent me in haste to bid you----

PAN. What?

CRI. Come with your son Eugenio----

PAN. And then?

CRI. That he may be a witness of your marriage.

But, sir, I see no signs of so large gladness As I expected and this news deserv'd.

PAN. 'Tis here, 'tis here, within: all outward symptoms And characters of joy are poor expressions Of my great inward happiness. My heart's full, And cannot vent the pa.s.sions. Run, Cricca, run: Run, as thou lov'st me; call Eugenio, And work him to my purpose: thou canst do it.

Haste, call him instantly.

CRI. I fly, sir. [_Exit._

SCENE III.[351]

PANDOLFO.

How shall I recompense this astrologer, This great Alb.u.mazar, through whose learned hands Fortune hath prov'd[352] th' effect of my best wishes, And crown'd my hopes? Give him this chain?

Alas!

'Tis a poor thanks, short by a thousand links Of his large merit. No, he must live with me And my sweet Flavia at his ease and pleasure, Wanting for nothing: and this very night I'll get a boy, and he erect a figure To calculate his fortunes. So, there's Trincalo Antoniated, or Antonio Intrinculate.

SCENE IV.

ANTONIO, PANDOLFO, LELIO, EUGENIO.

ANT. Signior Pandolfo! welcome.

LEL. Your servant, sir.

PAN. Well-met, Antonio; my prayers and wishes Have waited on you ever.

ANT. Thanks, dearest friend.

To speak my danger pa.s.s'd were to discourse Of dead men at a feast. Such sad relations Become not marriages. Sir, I am here Return'd to do you service. Where's your son?

PAN. He'll wait upon you presently.

EUG. Signior Antonio!

Happily welcome.

ANT. Thanks, Eugenio.

How think you, gentlemen: were it amiss To call down Flavia and Sulpitia, That what we do may with a full consent Be entertain'd of all?

PAN. 'Tis well-remember'd.

Eugenio, call your sister.

ANT. Lelio, call my daughter. [_Exeunt_ LELIO _and_ EUGENIO.

SCENE V.

PANDOLFO, ANTONIO.

PAN. Wisely consider'd, Trincalo; 'tis a fair prologue To the comedy ensuing. Now I confess Alb.u.mazar had equal power to change And mend thy understanding with thy body.

Let me embrace and hug thee for this service: 'Tis a brave onset: O my sweet Trincalo!

ANT. How like you the beginning?