The duke himself shall call thee his, and single From the fair troop thy person forth, to exchange Embraces with, lay siege to these soft lips, And not remove, till he hath suck'd thy heart, Which soon dissolv'd with thy sweet breath, shall be Made part of his, at the same instant he Amidea's first answer to "what is your resolve?" is simply beautiful. Ami. To have my name Should lurk within me to betray my fame In the meanwhile, it appears that Amidea had been tenderly beloved by Pisano, who had transferred his affections to Oriana. His friend Cosmo loves Oriana, but shews the depth and sincerity of his friendship, by giving up all claim on her to his rival. We discover, from the first scene of the play, that the Traitor Lorenzo, afraid lest Cosmo might become dangerous in the state, if possessed of Oriana's wealth, had worked upon Pisano to forget his first love, and lay siege to the mistress of his friend. He also hopes that tragical effects to both parties may result from this inconstancy; Both ladies therefore, Amidea and Oriana, are deserted by those they love. This, we think, is rather a clumsy, and not very probable, contrivance, but without doubt, it produces, through out the play, several interesting situations, and much pathos. Amidea's be haviour, when informed by Pisano that she no longer possesses his affections, is touching and dignified; and there is still greater beauty in the scene between Cosmo and Oriana, when he intreats her, with indifference ill assumed and not long preserved, to transfer her love to Pisano. This scene would act well, being full of affection and earnestness, and the language being singularly musical and beautiful. Oriana submits to her fate. "I've heard too much; do with me what you please, I am all passive-nothing of myself, In the third act, preparations for a masque are made in Sciarrha's house, and there assemble the Duke, Amidea, Lorenzo, Sciarrha, Florio, &c. Duke. Sciarrha, you exceed in entertain ment; Banquet our eyes too? Lor. He will feast all senses. Sci. Only a toy, my lord; I cannot call't A masque, not worthy of this presence, yet It speaks the freedom of my heart, and gra-" titude For this great honour. Sci. Lords, your places; 'twill not be Worth half this ceremony.-Let them begin. Sciarrha is right in saying that the entertainment which follows can scarcely be called a masque, for it is rather an imitation of the old moralities. The characters are Lust, Youth, Pleasure, Death, and Furies. The whole representation is intended to shadow forth the wickedness of the Duke, and the fate that awaits him. Sciarrha sits by him, explains the spectacle, and watches his unsuspecting victim. After the song of Lust, which contains some strong lines, the Duke asks, The harpies mean to dance too. If this scene is to be retained in the representation, and we presume it will, fine music may render it very impressive. The character of the Duke, and the situation of peril in which his own wickedness has placed him, make the mind willing to receive wild impressions, and to gaze on wild emblems of retribution. We are not well acquainted with the liberties allowed in fitting old plays for the stage, but assuredly a man of genius may render this scene a very striking-even terrible one. At the close of the masque, Sciarrha brings the Duke to Amidea. This lofty-minded pure-souled lady has resolved to save the Duke's life, by converting him from his wicked purpose against her virtue. Sciarrha and Florio remain concealed to watch the issue of her conversation with the amorous Duke. The whole scene is excellent. The Duke exclaims to Amidea Duke. That question is propounded time ly hadst thou Not interrupted me, I should have lost The wonders in thy face, make proud their By seeing thine, turn statues at thy voice, To feed on smiles, of which the least hath To call an anchorite from his prayers, tempt saints To wish their bodies on. Thou dost with ease Captivate kings with every beam, and mayst Lead them like prisoners round about the world, Proud of such golden chains; this were Had not my fate provided more, to make me I'll laugh at all the fables of the gods, Amidea, shortly after this, says to a question of the Duke, Ami. To tell you that you are not virtuous. You out a glorious reign among the angels; Finding that Amidea, who has already wounded herself in the arm, is resolved to stab herself to the heart with a poinard, rather than surrender her honour,-the Duke relents and desists from his iniquity. Duke. Contain; I am sorry, sorry from Trust me, I do bleed inward, Amidea, Can fan her ashes into another life; That helps the other's funeral, returns Sciarrha comes from his concealment, and, struck with the remorse and penitence of the Duke, confesses to him the plan of murder concerted between himself and Lorenzo. The Duke being still incredulous of his favourite's guilt, Sciarrha says, Sci. We will not shift the scene till you Florio, entreat my lord Lorenzo hither.- Step but behind the arras, and your ear having overheard the last words of Sci- Duke. Put up, I say. Sci. My lord, we are both cozened: Duke. Come, be calm : Lor. But I hold him noble ; I see he made this trial of my faith, The scene closes tumultuously-the city having been agitated with the referent factions ripe for action. The port of the Duke's death, and the dif◄ Lorenzo, who finds himself baffled in fourth act opens with a soliloquy of all his ambitious schemes. Lor. My plots thrive not; my engines all deceive me, In wisdom for him, that distress had ruin'd me. Hath half converted him; but I must set rabble; Confusion on ['em!]-the giddy multitude, That, but two minutes ere the Duke came at them, Bellow'd out Liberty, shook the city with And when a pardon was proclaim'd (a fine To acclamations, and deaf'd heaven to beg Consume this base herd! an the devil want Any cattle for his own teeth, these are for him. He is interrupted by Sciarrha, who comes to demand reparation for the insult given to him by his hypocrisy. Lorenzo, with consummate art, repels the charge, confesses that he had repented of his former guilt, and on offered violence from Sciarrha, calls in his armed attendants. When Sciarrha expects the worst, Lorenzo, with seeming magnanimity, dismisses his friends, and offers Sciarrha his pardon. The hot-blooded and impetuous young man is von over by this consummate hypocrite, and henceforth vows to be his friend. The scene is throughout admirably managed-and, in the alterations of feeling in Sciarrha, and the insidious eloquence of Lorenzo, is displayed a clear and profound insight into human nature. This, too, is a scene that would be most effective in representation. While Lorenzo and Sciarrha are together, Petruchio, Pisano's servant, brings intelligence that his master is next day to be married to Oriana. Sciarrha, from whom his sister had concealed Pisano's faithlessness, is inHamed to madness. Sci. Teach fools and children patience. [Exit. Lor. A thousand Furies swell his rage! Pisano bleed, this is the safest killing; Upon the skin to follow or suspect it.--- Kill, and be lost thyself; or, if his sword Conclude thy life, both ways I am reveng'd. Having thus got Sciarrha into a quarrel which he hopes will prove fatal, Lorenzo again revives the passion of the Duke for Amidea, and promises once more to get her into his power. The Duke's penitence had been but transitory, and he says, Duke. Do this; And I'll repent the folly of my penitence, Than blood or nature gave me: I'm renew'd, where, Is this to be expected? I grow old, Lor. I go To hasten your delight; prepare your blood Duke. Thou art me prophet, Lor. Trust these brains. Pisano now leads Oriana to the altar, and on their way thither, the bride catches a glance of her lover Cosmo at a balcony, and faints away. Pis. Will heaven divorce us ere the priest have made Our marriage perfect? we in vain hereafter from Apleasing slumber? Death has a fine dwelling. Amidea rushes in, and beseeches Pisano to return with Oriana, as her brother is lying in wait for him, to revenge her dishonour. Pisano turns a deaf ear to these intreaties. What follows is exquisite. Ami. I have done; pray be not angry, That still I wish you well: may heaven divert All harms that threaten you; full blessings crown Your marriage! I hope there is no sin in this; I would it were! my heart can tell, I take Shall be cut out of marble, where we'll sleep, Free from all care for ever: Death, my lord, I hope, shall be my husband. Now, farewell; Although no kiss, accept my parting tear, And give me leave to wear my willow here. Sciarrha now comes up, and after a short parley, stabs Pisano. Lorenzo having dogged his steps with an armed retinue, takes him prisoner, and makes a shew of offering him protection. Sciarrha says, Sci. You shall not lose the smallest beam of favour, To buy a man so desperate. I never Thought death the monster that weak men have fancied, As foil to make us more in love with life, The devil's picture may affright poor souls Into their bodies' paleness, but the substance To resolute man's a shadow; and cold sweat Dare not approach his forehead. I am armed To die, and give example of that fortitude Shall shame the law's severity: my sister May now give back Pisano his false vows, To line his coffin; one tear shed on me is Enough, the justice I have done shall make My memory belov'd. Lorenzo now suggests to Sciarrha, that he may yet save his life by putting Amidea once more in the power of the Duke. This proposal he fiercely spurns at. Lor. I have done, And praise your heathen resolution Of death; go practise immortality, And ere thy body hath three days inhabited Ere Amidea hath told all her tears When I am dead? Was't not so! oh my soul? I feel it weep within me, and the tears Lor. I advis'd you the best way Sci. I thank you for't, You have awak'd my reason, I am asham'd I was no sooner sensible; does the duke Affect my sister still, say you? Lor. Most passionately. Sci. She shall obey him then, upon my life; That's it, my life. I know she loves me dearly. I shall have much ado to win her to't, And be for ever happy. When these have Only for form but waited on you home, This disengages them. Sci. My humblest service To the duke I pray, and tell him, Amidea This night shall be at his dispose, by this. Lor. I'm confident; farewell!-Attend Sciarrha. The last act opens with a very fine scene between Sciarrha and Amidea, that would not have disgraced Shakspeare himself; and which, indeed, at once reminds us of that between Claudio and Isabella in Measure for Measure. Amidea, plunged in profound sorrow for the death of the faithless Pisano, and shuddering at the prospect of her brother's execution, wishes she might be accepted as a sacrifice to avert his punishment. To save a brother, such a loving brother Sci. Death's a devouring gamester, And sweeps up all: what thinkst thou of an eye? Couldst thou spare one, and think the blemish recompens'd, To see me safe with t'other? Or a hand? This white hand, [Amidea,] that hath so often, With admiration, trembled on the lute, And laid our ears close to thy ivory fingers, No, Amidea, thou shalt not bear one scar And wither on thy arm: what then can I Expect from thee to save me? I would live, And owe my life to thee, so 'twere not bought Too dear. Ami. Do you believe I should not find The way to heaven? were both mine eyes thy ransom, I shall climb up those high and rugged cliffs Without a hand. Sci. One way there is, if thou Dost love [me] with that tenderness. Ami. Pronounce it, And let no danger that attends, incline you Sci.,The duke, thou knowst, didst love thee. Sci. Nay, do not start already, nor mis- I do not as before, make trial of thee, Ami. Bless me! Sci. I know the kingdoms of the world Riches enough to tempt thee to a fall Died his pale hands in blood, to revenge thee, Ami. Oh, never, never. Sci. Do but repeat thy words, to save my And that will teach compassion, my life; Ami. But stain myself for ever. hold one blemish, The glory of one fair and virtuous action Is above all the scutcheons on our tomb, Or silkin banners over us. Sci. So valiant! I will not interpose another syllable To entreat your pity; say your prayers, and then Thou'rt ripe to be translated from the earth, Ami. What means my brother? Ami. Do not fright me, good Sciarrha. Sci. And I allow three minutes for devotion. Ami. Will you murder me? Ami. Not at the terror of your sword, Sci. You shall be the martyr. Ami. Yet stay; is there no remedy but death, And from your hand? then keep your word, and let me Use one short prayer. Sci. I shall relent. [Kneels. [Aside. Ami. Forgive me, Heaven, and witness I have still My virgin thoughts; 'tis not to save my life, But his eternal one. Sciarrha, give me leave to veil my face. [Rises. I dare not look upon you, and pronounce Sci. Darest thou consent? [Stabs her. When Florio breaks open the door and enters, Amidea, like Desdemona, strives to avert the suspicion of guilt from the murderer. Ami. I drew the weapon to it: Heaven knows my brother lov'd me: now, I hope, The duke will not pursue me with new flames. Sciarrha, tell the rest: love one another The time you live together; I'll pray for you In heaven: farewell! kiss me when I am dead, [Dics. You else will stay my journey. Sci. Didst not hear |