Supposes

SVPPOSES : A Comedie written in the Italian tongue by Ariosto , and Englished by George Gascoygne of Grayes Inne Esquire , and there presented .

The names of the Actors . BAlia , the Nurse . Polynesta , the yong woman . Cleander , the Doctor , suter to Polynesta . Pasyphilo , the Parasite . Carion , the Doctors man . Dulypo , fayned seruant and louer of Polynesta . Erostrato , fayned master and suter to Polynesta . Dalio & Crapyno seruantes to fayned Erostrato . Scenaese , a gentleman stranger . Paquetto & Petrucio his seruantes . Damon , father to Polynesta . Neuola , and two other his seruants . Psyteria , an olde hag in his house . Phylogano , a Scycilian gentleman , father to Erostrato . Lytio , his seruant . Ferrarese , an Inkéeper of Ferrara . The Comedie presented in Ferrara .

The Prologue or argument .

I Suppose you are assembled here , supposing to reape the fruite of my trauayles : and to be playne , I meane presently to presente you with a Comedie called Supposes , the verye name wherof may peraduenture driue into euery of your heades a sundry Suppose , to suppose the meaning of our supposes . Some percase will suppose we meane to occupie your eares with sophisticall handling of subtill Suppositions . Some other will suppose we go about to discipher vnto you some queint conceiptes , which hitherto haue bene onely supposed as it were in shadowes : and some I see smyling as though they supposed we would trouble you with the vaine suppose of some wanton Suppose . But vnderstand , this our Suppose is nothing else but a mystaking or imagination of one thing for an other : for you shall see the master supposed for the seruant , the seruant for the master : the freeman for a slaue , and the bondslaue for a freeman : the stranger for a well knowen friend , and the familiar for a stranger . But what ? I suppose that euen already you suppose me very fonde , that haue so simply disclosed vnto you the subtilties of these our Supposes : where otherwise in deede I suppose you shoulde haue hearde almoste the laste of our Supposes , before you coulde haue supposed anye of them arighte . Let this then suffise .

Supposes . Actus primus .

Scena . j. BALIA , the Nourse . POLYNESTA , the yong woman .

HEre is no body , come foorth Polynesta , let vs looke about , to be sure least any man heare our talke : for I thinke within the house the tables , the plankes , the beds , the portals , yea and the cupbords them selues haue eares .

Pol.

You might as well haue sayde , the windowes and the doores : do you not sée howe they harken ?

Ba.

Well you iest faire , but I would aduise you take héede , I haue bidden you a thousande times beware , you will be spied one day talking with Dulippo .

Po.

And why should I not talke with Dulippo as well as with any other , I pray you ?

Ba.

I haue giuen you a wherfore for this why many times , but go too , followe your owne aduise till you ouerwhelme vs all with soden mishappe .

Po.

A great mishappe I promise you : marie Gods blessing on their heart that sette suche a brouche on my cappe .

Ba.

Well , looke well about you : a man would thinke it were inough for you secretly to reioyce , that by my helpe you haue passed so many pleasant nightes togither , and yet by my trouth I do it more than halfe agaynst my will , for I would rather you had setled your fansie in some noble familie , yea and it is no small griefe vnto me , that reiecting the suites of so many nobles and gentlemen , you haue chosen for your darling a poore seruaunt of your fathers , by whome shame and infamie is the best dower you can looke for to attayne .

Po.

And I pray you whome may I thanke but gentle nourse , that continually praysing him , what for his personage , his curtesie , and aboue all , the extreme passions of his minde , in fine you would neuer cease till I accepted him , delighted in him , and at length desired him with no lesse affection , than he earst desired me .

Ba.

I can not denie , but at the beginning I did recommende him vnto you ( as in déede I may say that for my selfe I haue a pitiful heart ) séeing the depth of his vnbridled affection , and that continually he neuer ceassed to fill mine eares with lamentable complaynts .

Po.

Nay rather that he filled your pursse with bribes and rewards .

Ba.

Well you may iudge of Nourse as you liste : In déede I haue thought it alwayes a déede of charitie to helpe the miserable yong men , whose tender youth consumeth with the furious flames of loue : but be you sure if I had thought you would haue passed to the termes you nowe stande in , pitie nor pencion , peny nor pater noster shoulde euer haue made Nurse once to open hir mouth in the cause .

Po.

No of honestie , I pray you , who first brought him into my chamber ? who first taught him the way to my bed but you ? fie Nourse fie , neuer speake of it for shame , you will make me tell a wise tale anone .

Ba.

And haue I these thanks for my good wil ? why then I sée wel I shall be counted the cause of all mishappe .

Po.

Nay rather the author of my good happe gentle Nourse , for I would thou knewest I loue not Dulipo , nor any of so meane estate , but haue bestowed my loue more worthily than thou déemest , but I will say no more at this time .

Ba.

Then I am glad you haue changed your minde yet .

Po.

Nay I neither haue changed , nor will change it .

Ba.

Then I vnderstande you not , how sayde you ?

Po.

Mary I say that I loue not Dulipo , nor any suche as he , and yet I neither haue changed nor wil change my minde .

Ba.

I can not tell , you loue to lye with Dulipo very well : this geare is Gréeke to me , either it hangs not well togither , or I am very dull of vnder standing , speake plaine I pray you .

Po.

I can speake no plainer , I haue sworne to the contrary .

Ba.

Howe ? make you so deintie to tell it Nourse , least she shoulde reueale it ? you haue trusted me as farre as may be , I may shewe to you , in things that touche your honor if they were knowne : and make you strange to tell me this ? I am sure it is but a trifle in comparison of those things wherof heretofore you haue made me priuie .

Po.

Well , it is of greater importance than you thinke Nourse , yet would I tell it you vnder condition and promise that you shall not tell it agayne , nor giue any signe or token to be suspected that you know it .

Ba.

I promise you of my honestie , say on .

Po.

Well heare you me then : this yong man whome you haue alwayes taken for Dulipo , is a noble borne Sicilian , his right name Erostrato , sonne to Philogono , one of the worthiest men in that countrey .

Ba.

How Erostrato ? is it not our neighbour , whiche ?

Po.

Holde thy talking nourse , and harken to me , that I may explane the whole case vnto thée : the man whome to this day you haue supposed to be Dulipo , is ( as I say ) Erostrato , a gentleman that came from Sicilia to studie in this Citie , & euen at his first arriuall met me in the stréet , fel enamored of me , & of suche vehement force were the passions he suffred , that immediatly he cast aside both long gowne and bookes , & determined on me only to apply his study : and to the end he might the more commodiously bothe sée me and talke with me , he exchanged both name , habite , clothes and credite with his seruant Dulipo , whom only he brought with him out of Sicilia , and so with the turning of a hand , of Erostrato a gentleman , he became Dulipo a seruing man , and soone after sought seruice of my father , and obteyned it .

Are you sure of this ?

Po.

Yea out of doubt , on the other side Dulippo tooke vppon him the name of Erostrato his maister , the habite , the credite , bookes , and all things néedefull to a studente , and in shorte space profited very muche , and is nowe estéemed as you sée .

Ba.

Are there no other Sicylians héere : nor none that passe this way , which may discouer them ?

Po.

Uery fewe that passe this way , and fewe or none that tarrie héere any time .

Ba.

This hath béen a straunge aduenture , but I pray you howe hang these thinges togither ? that the studente whome you say to be the seruant , and not the maister , is become an earnest suter to you , and requireth you of your father in mariage ?

Po.

That is a pollicie deuised betwéene them , to put Doctor Dotipole out of conceite , the olde dotarde , he that so instantly dothe lye vpon my father for me : but looke where he comes , as God helpe me it is he , out vpon him , what a luskie yonker is this ? yet I had rather be a Noonne a thousande times , than be combred with suche a Coystrell .

Ba.

Daughter you haue reason , but let vs go in before he come any néerer .

Polynesta goeth in , and Balya stayeth a little whyle after , speaking a worde or two to the doctor , and then departeth .

Scena . ij. CLEANDER , Doctor . PASIPHILO , Parasite . BALYA , Nourse .

WEre there dames héere , or did mine eyes dazil ?

Pa.

Nay syr héere were Polynesta and hir nourse .

Cle.

Was my Polynesta héere ? alas I knewe hir not .

Ba.

He muste haue better eyesight that shoulde marry your Polynesta , or else he may chaunce to ouersée the best poynt in his tables sometimes .

Pa.

Syr it is no maruell , the ayre is very mistie to day : I my selfe knew hir better by hir apparell than by hir face .

Cle.

In good fayth and I thanke God I haue mine eye sighte good and perfit , little worsse than when I was but twentie yeres olde .

Pa.

How can it be otherwise ? you are but yong .

Cle.

I am fiftie yeres olde .

Pa.

He telles ten lesse than he is .

Cle.

What sayst thou of ten lesse ?

Pa.

I say I woulde haue thoughte you ten lesse , you looke like one of sixe and thirtie , or seuen and thirtie at the moste .

Cle.

I am no lesse than I tell .

Pa.

You are like inough to liue fiftie more , shewe me your hande .

Cle.

Why is Pasiphilo a Chiromancer ?

Pa.

What is not Pasiphilo ? I pray you shewe me it a little .

Cle.

Here it is .

Pa.

O how straight and infracte is this line of life , you will liue to the yeres of Melchisedech .

Cle.

Thou wouldest say , Methusalem .

Pa.

Why is it not all one ?

Cle.

I perceiue you are no very good Bibler Pasiphilo .

Yes sir an excellent good Bibler , specially in a bottle : Oh what a mounte of Uenus here is , but this lighte serueth not very well , I will beholde it an other day , when the ayre is clearer , and tell you somewhat , peraduenture to your contentation .

Cle.

You shal do me great pleasure : but tell me , I pray thée Pasiphilo , whome doste thou thinke Polynesta liketh better , Erostrato or me ?

Pa.

Why you out of doubt : She is a gentlewoman of a noble minde , and maketh greater accompte of the reputation she shall haue in marrying your worship , than that poore scholer , whose birthe and parentage God knoweth , and very fewe else .

Cle.

Yet he taketh it vpon him brauely in the countrey .

Pa.

Yea , where no man knoweth the contrarie : but let him braue it , bost his birth , and do what he can , the vertue and knowledge that is within this body of yours , is worth more than all the countrey he came from .

Cle.

It becommeth not a man to prayse himselfe : but in déede I may say , and say truely , that my knowledge hath stoode me in better stéede at a pinche , than coulde all the goodes in the worlde . I came out of Otranto when the Turkes wonne it , and first I came to Padua , after hither ; where by reading , counsailing , and pleading , within twentie yeres I haue gathered and gayned as good as ten thousande Ducats .

Pa.

Yea mary , this is the righte knowledge , Philosophie , Poetrie , Logike , and all the rest , are but pickling sciences in comparison to this .

Cle.

But pyckling in déede , whereof we haue a verse :

The trade of Lawe doth fill the boystrous bagges , They swimme in silke , when others royst in ragges . Pa.

O excellent verse , who made it ? Virgil ?

Cle.

Virgil ? tushe it is written in one of our gloses .

Pa.

Sure who so euer wrote it , the moral is excellent , and worthy to be written in letters of golde : but to the purpose : I thinke you shall neuer recouer the wealth that you loste at Otranto .

Cle.

I thinke I haue doubled it , or rather made it foure times as muche : but in déed , I lost mine only sonne there , a childe of fiue yeres olde .

Pa.

O great pitie .

Cle.

Yea , I had rather lost all the goods in the worlde .

Pa.

Alas , alas , by God and grafts of such a stocke are very gayson in these dayes .

Cle.

I know not whether he were slayne , or the Turks toke him and kept him as a bond slaue .

Pa.

Alas , I could wéepe for compassion , but there is no remedy but patience , you shall get many by this yong damsell with the grace of God .

Cle.

Yea , if I get hir .

Pa.

Get hir ? why doubt you of that ?

Cle.

Why , hir father holds me off with delayes , so that I must néedes doubte .

Pa.

Content your selfe sir , he is a wise man , and desirous to place his Daughter well , he will not be too rashe in hys determination , he will thinke well of the matter , and lette him thinke , for the longer he thinketh , the more good of you shall he thinke : whose welth , whose vertue , whose skill , or whose estimation can he compare to yours in this Citie ?

Cle.

And hast thou not tolde him that I would make his Daughter a dower of two thousand Ducates ?

Pa.

Why , euen now , I came but from thence since .

Cle.

What saide he ?

Pa.

Nothing , but that Erostrato had profered the like .

Cle.

Erostrato ? how can he make any dower , and his father yet aliue ?

Pa.

Thinke you I did not tell him so ? yes I warrant you , I forgot nothing that may furder your cause , and doubt you not , Erostrato shal neuer haue hir vnlesse it be in a dreame .

Cle.

Well gentle Pasiphilo ; go thy waies and tell Damon I require nothing but his daughter , I will none of his goods : I shal enrich hir of mine owne : & if this dower of two thousand Ducats séem not sufficient , I wil make it fiue hundreth more , yea a thousand , or what so euer he will demānd rather then faile : go to Pasiphilo , shew thy selfe frendly in working this feate for me , spare for no cost , since I haue gone thus farre , I wil be loth to be out bidden . Go

Pa.

Where shall I come to you agayne ?

Cle.

At my house .

Pa.

When ?

Cle.

When thou wilte .

Pa.

Shall I come at dinner time ?

Cle

I would byd thée to dinner , but it is a Saincts euen which I haue euer fasted .

Pa.

Faste till thou famishe .

Cle.

Harke .

Pa.

He speaketh of a dead mans faste .

Cle.

Thou hearest me not .

Pa.

Nor thou vnderstandest me not .

Cle.

I dare say thou art angrie I byd thée not to dinner , but come if thou wilte , thou shalt take such as thou findest .

Pa.

What ? thinke you I know not where to dine ?

Cle.

Yes Pasiphilo thou art not to séeke .

Pa.

No be you sure , there are enowe will pray me .

Cle.

That I knowe well enough Pasiphilo , but thou canst not be better welcome in any place than to me , I wil tarrie for thée .

Pa.

Well , since you will néedes , I will come .

Cle.

Dispatche then , and bring no newes but good .

Pa.

Better than my rewarde by the rood .

Cleander exit , Pasiphilo restat .

Scena . iij. PASIPHILO . DVLIPO .

O Miserable couetous wretche , he findeth an excuse by S Nicholas fast , because I should not dine with him , as though I should dine at his owne dishe : he maketh goodly feasts I promise you , it is no wonder though he thinke me bounde vnto him for my fare : for ouer and besides that his prouision is as skant as may be , yet there is great difference betwéene his diet and mine . I neuer so much as sippe of the wyne that he tasteth , I feede at the bords ende with broune bread : Marie I reach always to his owne dishe , for there are no more but that only on the table : Yet he thinks that for one such diner I am bound to do him al the seruice that I can , and thinks me sufficiently rewarded for all my trauell , with one suche festiuall promotion : and yet peraduenture some men thinke I haue great gaynes vnder him : but I may say and sweare , that this dosen yere I haue not gayned so muche in value as the poynts at my hose ( which are but thrée with codpéece poynt and al ) : he thinks that I may féede vpon his fauour and fayre words : but if I could not otherwise prouide for one , Pasiphilo were in a wyse case . Pasiphilo hath mo pastures to passe in than one , I warrant you : I am of housholde with this scholer Erostrato , his riuale , as wel as with Domine Cleander , now with the one , and then with the other , according as I sée their Caters prouide good chéere at the market : and I finde the meanes so to handle the matter , that I am welcome to bothe . If the one sée me talke with the other , I make him beléeue it is to harken newes in the furtherance of his cause , and thus I become a broker on both sides . Well , let them bothe apply the matter as well as they can , for in déede I will trauell for none of them bothe : yet wyll I séeme to worke wonders on eche hande . But is not this one of Damons seruants that commeth foorth ? it is , of him I shall vnderstande where his master is . Whither goeth this ioyly gallante ?

Du.

I come to séeke some body that may accompany my master at dinner , he is alone , and would fayne haue good company .

Pa.

Séeke no further , you could neuer haue found one better than me .

Du.

I haue no commission to bring so many .

Pa.

How many ? I will come alone .

Du.

How canst thou come alone that hast continually a legion of rauening wolues within thée ?

Pa.

Thou doest as seruants commonly doe , hate all that loue to visite their maisters .

Du.

And why ?

Pa.

Bicause they haue too many téeth as you thinke .

Du.

Nay bicause they haue to many tongues .

Pa.

Tongues ? I pray you what did my tongue euer hurt you .

Du.

I speake but merily with you Pasiphilo , goe in , my maister is ready to dine .

Pa.

What ? dyneth he so earely ?

Du.

He that riseth early , dyneth early .

Pa.

I woulde I were his man , maister doctor neuer dyneth till noone , and how dilicately then god knoweth , I will be bould to goe in , for I count my selfe bidden .

Du.

You were best so .

Hard hap had I when I first begon this vnfortunate enterprise , for I supposed the readiest medicine to my miserable effectes had bene to change name , clothes , & credite with my seruant , & to place my selfe in Damons seruice , thinking that as sheuering colde by glowing fire , thurst by drinke , hunger by pleasant repasts , and a thousande suche like passions finde remedie by their contraries , so my restles desire might haue founde quiet by continuall contemplation . But alas , I finde that only loue is vnsaciable , for as the flie playeth with the flame till at last she is cause of hir owne decay , so the louer that thinketh with kissing and colling to content his vnbrideled apetite , is commonly sene the onely cause of his owne consumption : Two yéeres are now paste since vnder the colour of Damons seruice I haue bene a sworne seruant to Cupid , of whom I haue receiued as muche fauour & grace as euer man founde in his seruice , I haue frée libertie at al times to behold my desired , to talke with hir , to embrace hir , yea ( be it spoken in secrete ) to lye with hir , I reape the fruites of my desire , yet as my ioyes abounde , euen so my paines encrease , I fare like the couetous man , that hauing all the worlde at will , is neuer yet content , the more I haue , the more I desire . Alas , what wretched estate haue I brought my selfe vnto , if in the ende of all my farre fetches , she be giuen by hir father to this olde doting doctor , this buzard , this bribing villaine , that by so many meanes seketh to obtaine hir at hir fathers hands ? I know she loueth me best of all others , but what may that preuaile when perforce she shal be constrained to marie another ? Alas the pleasant taste of my sugred ioyes doth yet remaine so perfect in my remembrance , that the least soppe of sorow séemeth more soure thā gall in my mouth : if I had neuer knowen delight , with better contentation might I haue passed these dreadful dolours . And if this olde . M. impsimus ( whom the pockes consume ) should wyn hir , then may I saye , farewell the pleasant talk , the kind embracings , yea farewel the sight of my Polynesta , for he like a ielouse wretch will pen hir vp , that I thinke the birdes of the aire shall not wynne the sighte of hir . I hoped to haue caste a blocke in his waye , by the meanes that my seruaunt , who is supposed to be Erostrato , and with my habite and credite is well estemed , should proffer himselfe a suter , at the least to counteruaile the doctors profers : but my maister knowing the wealth of the one , and doubting the state of the other , is determined to be fed no longer with faire wordes , but to accept the doctor , ( whom he right well knoweth ) for his sonne in law : well , my seruaunt promised me yesterday to deuise yet againe some newe conspiracie to driue maister doctor out of conceite , and to laye a snare that the foxe himselfe might be caughte in , what it is , I knowe not , nor I saw him not since he went about it : I will goe sée if he be within , that at least if he helpe me not , he maye yet prolong my life for this once . But here commeth his lackie , ho Iack heark , where is Erostrato ?

Here must Crapine be comming in with a basket and a sticke in his hand .

Scena . iiij. CRAPINO the Lackie . DVLIPO .

ERostrato ? mary he is in his skinne .

Du.

Ah hooresone boy , I saye , howe shall I fynde Erostrato ?

Cra.

Finde him ? howe meane you , by the wéeke or by the yere .

Du.

You cracke halter , if I catche you by the eares , I shall make you answere me directly .

Cra.

In déede ?

Du.

Tarry me a little .

Cra.

In fayth sir I haue no leisure .

Du.

Shall we trie who can runne fastest ?

Cra.

Your legges be longer than mine , you should haue giuen me the aduauntage .

Du.

Go to , tell me where is Erostrato ?

Cra.

I left him in the stréete , where he gaue me this Casket , this basket I would haue sayde , and bad me beare it to Dalio , and returne to him at the Dukes Palace .

Du.

If thou sée him , tell him I must néedes speake with him immediatly : or abide awhyle , I will go séeke him my selfe , rather than be suspected by going to his house .

Crapino departeth , and Dulipo also : after Dulipo commeth in agayne seeking Erostrato . Finis Actus . 1.

Actus . ij.

Scena . j. DVLIPO . EROSTRATO .

I Thinke if I had as many eyes as Argus , I coulde not haue sought a man more narrowly in euery stréete and euery by lane , there are not many gentlemen , scholers , nor Marchauntes in the Citie of Ferrara , but I haue mette with them , excepte him , peraduenture he is come home an other way : but looke where he commeth at the last .

Ero.

In good time haue I spied my good maister .

Du.

For the loue of God call me Dulipo , not master , maintayne the credite that thou haste hitherto kepte , and let me alone .

Ero.

Yet sir let me sometimes do my duetie vnto you , especially where no body heareth .

Du.

Yea , but so long the Parat vseth to crie knappe in sporte , that at the last she calleth hir maister knaue in earnest : so long you will vse to call me master , that at the last we shall be heard . What newes ?

Ero.

Good .

Du.

In déede ?

Ero.

Yea excellent , we haue as good as won the wager .

Du.

Oh , how happie were I if this were true .

Ero.

Heare you me , yesternight in the euening I walked out , and founde Pasiphilo , and with small entreating I had him home to supper , where by suche meanes as I vsed , he became my great friend , and tolde me the whole order of our aduersaries determination : yea and what Damon doth intende to do also , and hath promised me that from time to time , what he can espie he will bring me word of it .

Du.

I can not tel whether you know him or no , he is not to trust vnto , a very flattering and a lying knaue .

Ero.

I know him very well , he can not deceiue me , and this that he hath tolde me I know must néedes be true .

Du.

And what was it in effect ?

Ero.

That Damon had purposed to giue his daughter in mariage to this doctor , vpon the dower that he hath profered .

Du.

Are these your good newes ? your excellent newes ?

Ero.

Stay awhile , you will vnderstande me before you heare me .

Du.

Well , say on .

Ero.

I answered to that , I was ready to make hir the lyke dower .

Du.

Well sayde .

Ero.

Abide , you heare not the worst yet .

Du.

O God , is there any worsse behinde ?

Ero.

Worsse ? why what assurance coulde you suppose that I might make without some speciall consent from Philogono my father ?

Du.

Nay you can tell , you are better scholer than I .

Ero.

In déede you haue lost your time : for the books that you tosse now a dayes , treate of smal science .

Du.

Leaue thy iesting , and procéede .

Ero.

I sayde further , that I receyued letters lately from my father , whereby I vnderstoode that he woulde be héere very shortly to performe all that I had profered : therfore I required him to request Damon on my behalf , that he would stay his promise to the doctor for a fourthnight or more .

Du.

This is somewhat yet , for by this meanes I shal be sure to linger and liue in hope one fourthnight longer , but at the fourthnights ende when Philogono commeth not , how shall I then do ? yea and though he came , howe may I any way hope of his consent , when he shall sée , that to follow this amorous enterprise , I haue set aside all studie , all remembraunce of my duetie , and all dread of shame . Alas , alas , I may go hang my selfe .

Ero.

Comforte your selfe man , and trust in me : there is a salue for euery sore , and doubt you not , to this mischéefe we shall finde a remedie .

Du.

O friend reuiue me , that hitherto since I first attempted this matter haue bene continually dying .

Ero.

Well , harken a while then : this morning I tooke my horse and rode into the fieldes to solace my selfe , and as I passed the foorde beyonds S. Anthonies gate , I met at the foote of the hill a gentleman riding with two or thrée men , and as me thought by his habite and his lookes , he should be none of the wisest . He saluted me , and I him : I asked him from whence he came , and whither he would ? he answered that he had come from Venice , then from Padua , nowe was going to Ferrara , and so to his countrey , whiche is Scienna : As soone as I knowe him to be a Scenese , sodenly lifting vp mine eyes , as it were with an admiration I sayd vnto him , are you a Scenese , and come to Ferrara ? why not , sayde he : quoth I , halfe and more with a trembling voyce , know you the daunger that should ensue if you be knowne in Ferrara to be a Scenese ? he more than halfe amased , desired me earnestly to tell him what I ment .

Du.

I vnderstande not wherto this tendeth .

Ero.

I beléeue you , but hearken to me .

Du.

Go too then .

Ero.

I answered him in this sorte : Gentleman , bicause I haue heretofore founde very curteous entertaynement in your countrey , béeing a student there , I accompt my selfe as it were bounde to a Scenese , and therefore if I knewe of any mishappe towards any of that countrey , God forbid but I should disclose it : and I maruell that you knowe not of the iniurie that your countreymen offered this other day to the Embassadours of Countie Hercule .

Du.

What tales he telleth me : what appertayne these to me ?

Ero.

If you will harken a whyle , you shall finde them no tales , but that they appertayne to you more than you thinke for .

Du.

Foorth .

Ero.

I tolde him further , these Ambassadoures of Countie Hercule had dyuers Mules , Waggons , and Charettes , laden with diuers costly iewels , gorgious furniture , & other things which they caried as presents , passing that way to the king of Naples , the which were not only stayd in Sciene by the officers whom you cal Customers , but serched , ransacked , tossed & turned , & in the end exacted for tribute , as if they had bene the goods of a meane marchaunt .

Du.

Whither the diuell will he ? is it possible that this geare appertaineth any thing to my cause ? I finde neither head nor foote in it .

Ero.

O how impacient you are : I pray you stay a while .

Du.

Go to yet a while then .

Ero.

I procéeded , that vpon these causes the Duke sent his Chauncelor to declare the case vnto the Senate there , of whom he had the moste vncurteous answere that euer was heard , whervpon he was so enraged with all of that countrey , that for reuenge he had sworne to spoyle as many of them as euer should come to Ferrara , and to sende them home in their dublet and their hose .

Du.

And I pray thée how couldest thou vpon the sudden deuise or imagine suche a lye ? and to what purpose ?

Ero.

You shall heare by and by a thing as fitte for our purpose , as any could haue happened .

Du.

I would fayne heare you conclude .

Ero.

You would fayne leape ouer the stile , before you come at the hedge : I woulde you had heard me , and séene the gestures that I enforced to make him beléeue this .

Du.

I beléeue you , for I know you can counterfet well .

Ero.

Further I sayde , the duke had charged vpon great penalties , that the Inholders and vitlers shoulde bring worde dayly of as many Sceneses as came to their houses : the gentleman béeing ( as I gessed at the first ) a man of smal sapientia , when he heard these newes , would haue turned his horse an other way .

Du.

By likelyhoode he was not very wise when he would beléeue that of his cūntrey , which if it had bene true , euery man must néedes haue knowen it .

Ero.

Why not ? when he had not béene in his countrey for a moneth paste , and I tolde him this had hapned within these seuen dayes .

Du.

Belike he was of small experience .

Ero.

I thinke , of as litle as maye be : but beste of all for our purpose , and good aduenture it was , that I mette with suche an one . Now harken I pray thée .

Du.

Make an ende I pray thée .

Ero.

He , as I say , when he hard these words , would haue turned the bridle , & I fayning a countenance as thoughe I were somewhat pensiue & carefull for him , passed a while , and after with a great sighe saide to him : gentleman , for the curtesie that ( as I said ) I haue founde in your countrey , and because youre affaires shall be the better dispatched , I will finde the meanes to lodge you in my house , and you shall saye to euerye man , that you are a Sicilan of Cathanea , your name Philogono , father to me that am in dede of that countrey and citie , called here Erostrato : and I ( to pleasure you ) will ( during youre abode here ) doe you reuerence as you were my father .

Du.

Out vpon me , what a grosse hedded foole am I ? now I perceiue whereto this tale tendeth .

Ero.

Well , and how like you of it ?

Du.

Indifferently , but one thing I doubt .

Ero.

What is that ?

Du.

Marie , that when he hathe bene here two or thrée dayes , he shal heare of euery man that there is no such thing betwene the Duke and the Towne of Sciene .

Ero.

As for that let me alone , I doe entertaine and will entertaine him so wel , that within these two or thrée dayes I will disclose vnto him all the whole matter , and doubte not but to bring him in for performance of as muche as I haue promised to Damon : for what hurte can it be to him , when he shall binde a strange name and not his owne ?

Du.

What , thinke you he will be entreated to stande hounde for a dower of two thousand Ducates by the yeare ?

Ero.

Yea why not , if it were ten thousande , as long as he is not in déede the man that is bounde ?

Du.

Well , if it be so , what shall we be the nerer to oure purpose .

Ero.

Why , when we haue done as muche as we can , how can we doe any more ?

Du.

And where haue you left him ?

Ero.

At the Inne , bicause of his horses , he and his men shall lye in my house .

Du.

Why brought you him not with you ?

Ero.

I thought better to vse your aduise first .

Du.

Well , goe take him home , make him all the chéere you can , spare for no cost , I will alowe it .

Ero.

Content , loke where he commeth .

Du.

Is this he ? goe méete him , by my trouthe he lokes euen lyke a good soule , he that fisheth for hym , myghte be sure to catche a cods heade : I will rest here a while to discipher him .

Erostrato espyeth the Scenese and goeth towards him . Dulippo standeth aside .

Scena . ij. The SCENESE . FAVMLVS his seruaunt . EROSTRATO .

HE that trauaileth in this worlde passeth by manye perilles .

Fa.

You saye true sir , if the boate had bene a litle more laden this morning at the ferrie , wée had bene all drowned , for I thinke , there are none of vs that could haue swomme .

Sc.

I speake not of that .

Fa.

O you meane the foule waye that we had since wée came from this Padua , I promise you , I was afraide twice or thrice , that your mule woulde haue lien faste in the mire .

Sc.

Iesu , what a blockehead thou arte , I speake of the perill we are in presently since we came into this citie .

Fa.

A great perill I promise you , that we were no sooner ariued , than you founde a frende that brought you from the Inne , and lodged you in his owne house .

Sc.

Yea marie , God reward the gentle young man that we mette , for else we had bene in a wise case by this tyme . But haue done with these tales , and take you héede , and you also sirra , take héede that none of you saie we be Sceneses , and remember that you call me Philogano of Cathanea .

Fa.

Sure I shal neuer remember these outlandish words I coulde well remember Haccanea .

Sc.

I say , Cathaenea , and not Haccanea , with a vengeance .

Fa.

Let another name it then when néede is , for I shall neuer remember it .

Sc.

Then holde thy peace , and take héede thou name not Scene .

Fa.

Howe say you , if I faine my selfe dum as I did once in the house of Crisobolus ?

Sc.

Doe as thou thinkest best : but looke where commeth the gentleman whom we are so muche bounde vnto .

Ero.

Welcome , my deare father Philogano .

Sc.

Gramercie my good sonne Erostrato .

Ero.

That is well said , be mindfull of your tong , for these Ferareses be as craftie as the deuill of hell .

Sc.

No , no , be you sure we will doe as you haue bidden vs .

Ero.

For if you should name Scene they would spoile you immediatlye , and turne you oute of the towne , with more shame , than I woulde shoulde befall you for a thousande Crownes .

Sc.

I warant you , I was giuing them warning as I came to you , and I doubt not but they will take good héede .

Ero.

Yea and trust not the seruauntes of my householde to far , for they are Ferareses all , and neuer knew my father , nor came neuer in Sicilia : this is my house , will it please you to goe in ? I will follow .

They goe in . Dulipo tarieth and espyeth the Doctor comming in with his man .

Scena . iij. DVLIPPO alone .

THis geare hath had no euill beginning , if it continue so and fall to happie ende . But is not this the silly doctor with the side bonet , the doting foole , that dare presume to become a suter to such a péerlesse Paragons ? O howe couetousnesse doth blind the common sort of men : Damon more desirous of the dower , than mindfull of his gentle & gallant daughter , hathe determined to make him his sonne in lawe who for his age maye he his father in law , and hath greater respect to the abundance of goods , than to his owne naturall childe . He beareth well in minde to fill his owne purse , but he litle remembreth that his daughters purse shal be continually emptie , vnlesse Maister Doctour fill it with double ducke egges . Alas , I iest and haue no ioye , I will stand here aside and laughe a litle at this lobcocke .

Dulippo espieth the Doctor and his man comming .

Scena . iiij. CARION the doctors man . CLEANDER . DVLIPPO .

MAister , what the diuell meane you to goe séeke guestes at this time of the day ? the Maiors officers haue dyned ere this time , which are alway the last in the market .

Cle.

I come to séeke Pasiphilo , to the ende he maye dyne with me .

Ca.

As though sixe mouthes and the cat for the seuenth , be not sufficiente to eate an harlotrie shotterell , a pennieworthe of chese , and halfe a score spurlinges , this is all the dainties you haue dressed for you and your familie .

Cle.

Ah gréedie gut , arte thou afearde thou shalt want ?

Ca.

I am afearde in déede , it is not the first time I haue founde it so .

Du.

Shall I make some sporte with this gallant ? what shall I say to him ?

Cle.

Thou arte afearde belike that he will eate thée and the rest .

Ca.

Nay , rather that he will eate your mule , both heare and hyde .

Cle.

Heare and hyde ? and why not fleshe and all ?

Ca.

Bicause she hath none , if she had any fleshe , I thinke you had eaten hir your selfe by this time .

Cle.

She may thanke you then , for your good attendance .

Ca.

Nay she may thanke you for your small allowance .

Du.

In faith now let me alone .

Cle.

Holde thy peace drunken knaue , and espye me Pasiphilo .

Du.

Since I can doe no better , I will set such a staunce betwéene him and Pasiphilo , that all this towne shall not make them frendes .

Ca.

Coulde you not haue sent to séeke him , but you must come your selfe ? surely you come for some other purpose , for if you would haue had Pasiphilo to dinner , I warant you he would haue taried here an houre since .

Cle.

Holde thy peace , here is one of Damons seruaunts , of him I shall vnderstande where he is : good fellow arte not thou one of Damons seruauntes ?

Du.

Yes sir , at your knamandement .

Cle.

Gramercie , tell me then , hath Pasiphilo bene there this day or no ?

Du.

Yes sir , and I thinke he be there still , ah , ah , ah .

Cle.

What laughest thou ?

Du.

At a thing , that euery man may not laugh at .

Cle.

What ?

Du.

Talke , that Pasiphilo had with my maister this day .

Cle.

What talke I pray thée ?

Du.

I may not tell it .

Cle.

Doth it concerne me ?

Du.

Nay I will say nothing .

Cle.

Tell me .

Du.

I can say no more .

Cle.

I would but know if it concerne me , I praye thée tel me .

Du.

I would tell you , if I were sure you would not tell it againe .

Cle.

Beleue me I will kepe it close : Carion giue vs leaue a litle , goe aside .

Du.

If my maister shoulde knowe that it came by me , I were better die a thousande deathes .

Cle.

He shall neuer know it , say on .

Du.

Yea , but what assurance shall I haue ?

Cle.

I lay thée my faith and honestie in paune .

Du.

A prettie paune , the fulkers will not lend you a farthing on it .

Cle.

Yea , but amongst honest men it is more worth than golde .

Du.

Yea marie sir , but where be they ? but will you nedes haue me to tell it vnto you ?

Cle.

Yea I pray thée if it any thing appertaine to me .

Du.

Yes it is of you , and I woulde gladly tell it you , bycause I would not haue suche a man of worship so scorned by a villaine ribaulde .

Cle.

I pray thée tell me then .

Du.

I will tell you so that you will sweare neuer to tell it to Pasiphilo , to my maister , nor to any other bodye .

Ca.

Surely it is some toye deuised to get some money of him .

Cle.

I thinke I haue a booke here .

Ca.

If he knewe him as well as I , he woulde neuer goe aboute it , for he maye as sone get one of his téeth from his iawes with a paire of pinchers , as a pennie out of his purse with suche a conceite .

Cle.

Here is a letter wil serue the turne : I swere to thée by the contents hereof neuer to disclose it to any man .

Du.

I will tell you , I am sorie to sée how Pasiphilo dothe abuse you , perswading you that alwayes he laboureth for you , where in deede , he lyeth on my maister continually , as it were with tooth and naile for a straunger , a scholer , borne in Sicilia they call him Roscus or arskisse , he hathe a madde name I can neuer hit vpon it .

Cle.

And thou recknest it as madly : is it not Erostrato ?

Du.

That same , I should neuer haue remembred it : & the villaine speaketh all the euil of you that can be deuised .

Cle.

To whom ?

Du.

To my maister , yea and to Polinesta herselfe sometimes .

Cle.

Is it possible , Ah slaue , and what saith he ?

Du.

More euill than I can imagine : that you are the miserablest and most nigardly man that euer was .

Cle.

Sayeth Pasiphilo so by me ?

Du.

And that as often as he commeth to your house , he is like to die for hunger , you fare so well .

Cle.

That the deuill take him else .

Du.

And that you are the testiest man , and most diuers to please in the whole worlde , so that he cannot please you vnlesse he shoulde euen kyll himselfe with continuall paine .

Cle.

O deuilishe tong .

Du.

Furthermore , that you cough continually and spitte , so that a dogge cannot abide it .

Cle.

I neuer spitte nor coughe more than thus , vho , vho , and that but since I caughte this murre , but who is frée from it ?

Du.

You saye true sir , yet further he sayth , your arme holes stincke , your féete worse than they , and your breathe worst of all .

Cle.

If I quite him not for this geare .

Du.

And that you are bursen in the cods .

Cle.

O villaine , he lieth , and if I were not in the stréete thou shouldest sée them .

Du.

And he saith , that you desire this yong gentlewoman , as much for other mens pleasure as for your owne .

Cle.

What meaneth he by that ?

Du.

Peraduenture that by hir beautie , you would entice many yong men to your house .

Cle.

Yong men ? to what purpose ?

Du.

Nay , gesse you that .

Cle.

Is it possible that Pasiphilo speaketh thus of me ?

Du.

Yea , and much more .

Cle.

And doth Damon beleue him ?

Du.

Yea , more than you woulde thinke , in suche sort , that long ere this , he would haue giuen you a flat repulse , but Pasiphilo intreated him to continue you a suter for hys aduantage .

Cle.

How for his aduantage ?

Du.

Marie , that during your sute he mighte still haue some rewarde for his great paines .

Cle.

He shall haue a rope , and yet that is more than he deserueth : I had thought to haue giuen him these hose when I had worne them a litle nearer , but he shall haue a. &c.

Du.

In good faith sir , they were but loste on him . Will you any thing else with me sir ?

Cle.

Nay , I haue heard to much of thée already .

Du.

Then I will take my leaue of you .

Cle.

Farewell , but tell me , may I not know thy name ?

Du.

Sir , they call me Foule fall you .

Cle.

An ill fauored name by my trouthe , arte thou thys countrey man ?

Du.

No sir , I was borne by a castle men cal Scabbe catch you , fare you well sir .

Cle.

Farewell , oh God how haue I bene abused ? what a spokesman ? what a messanger had I prouided ?

Car.

Why sir , will you tarie for Pasiphilo till we die for hunger ?

Cle.

Trouble me not , that the deuill take you both .

Car.

These newes what so euer they be , like him not .

Cle.

Art thou so hungrie yet ? I pray to God thou he neuer satisfied .

Car.

By the masse no more I shall as long as I am your seruaunt .

Cle.

Goe with mischaunce .

Car.

Yea , and a mischiefe to you , and to all such couetous wretches .

Finis . Actus . 2.

Actus iij.

Scena . 1. DALIO the cooke . CRAPINE the lackie . EROSTRATO . DVLIPPO .

BY that time we come to the house , I truste that of these xx. egges in the basket we shal find but very few whole , but it is a folly to talke to him : what the deuill , wilte thou neuer lay that sticke out of thy hande ? he fighteth with the dogges , beateth the beares , at euery thing in the streate he findeth occasion to tarie , if he spie a slipstring by the waye such another as himself , a Page , a Lackie or a dwarfe , the deuill of hell cannot holde him in chaynes , but he wil be doing with him : I cannot goe two steppes , but I muste loke backe for my yonker : goe to halter sacke , if you breake one egge I may chance breake .

Cra.

What will you breake ? your nose in mine arse .

Da.

Ah beast .

Cra.

If I be a beast , yet I am no horned beast .

Da.

Is it euen so ? is the winde in that doore ? If I were vnloden I would tel you whether I be a horned beast or no .

Cra.

You are alway laden either with wine or with ale .

Dal.

Ah spitefull boy , shall I suffer him ?

Cra.

Ah cowardelie beast , darest thou strike and say neuer a worde ?

Dal.

Well , my maister shall knowe of this géere , either he shall redresse it , or he shall lose one of vs .

Cra.

Tel him the worst thou canst by me .

Erostra . & Du. ex improuiso . Ero.

What noise , what a rule is this ?

Cra.

Marye sir , he striketh me bicause I tell him of his swearing .

Dal

The villaine lieth deadlie , he reuiles me bicause I bid him make hast .

Ero.

Holla : no more of this . Dalio , doe you make in a readinesse those Pigeons , stock Doues , and also the breast of Ueale : and let your vessell be as cleare as glasse against I returne , that I may tell you which I will haue roasted , & which boyled . Crapine , lay downe that basket and followe me . Oh that I could tell where to finde Pasiphilo , but looke where he commeth that can tell me of him .

Dul.

What haue you done with Philogano your father ?

Dulipo is espyed by Erostrato . Ero.

I haue left him within , I woulde faine speake wyth Pasiphilo , can you tell me where he is ?

Du.

He dined this day with my maister , but whether he went from thence I know not , what would you with him ?

Ero.

I would haue him goe tell Damon that Philogano my father is come and ready to make assurance of as much as he wil require . Now shall I feach maister doctor a schole point , he trauaileth to none other end but to catche Cornua , and he shall haue them , for as old as he is , and as many subtilties as he hath learned in the law , he can not goe beyond me one ace .

Du.

O déere friend , goe thy wayes seke Pasiphilo , finde him out , and conclude somwhat to our contentation .

Ero.

But where shall I finde him ?

Du.

At the feastes if there be anye , or else in the market with the poulters or the fishemongers .

Ero.

What should he doe with them ?

Du.

Mary he watcheth whose Caters bie the beste meat , if any bie a fat Capon , a good breast of Ueale , freshe Samon or any suche good dishe , he followeth to the house , and eyther with some newes , or some stale iest he will be sure to make himselfe a geast .

Ero.

In faith , and I will seke there for him .

Du.

Then muste you néedes finde him , and when you haue done I will make you laughe .

Ero.

Whereat ?

Du.

At certaine sport I made to day with maister doctor .

Ero.

And why not now ?

Du.

No it asketh further leysure , I praye thée dispatche , and finde out Pasiphilo that honest man .

Dulippo taryeth .

Scena . ij. DVLIPPO alone .

THis amorous cause that hangeth in controuersie betwen Domine doctor & me , may be compared to them that play at primero , of whom some one peraduenture shal léese a great sum of money before he win one stake , & at last halfe in anger shal set vp his rest , win it , & after that another , another , & another , till at last he draw the most parte of the money to his heape , the other by litle & litle still deminishing his rest , till at last he be come as néere the brinke , as earst the other was , yet againe peraduenture fortune smiling on him , he shal as it were by péece meale , pull out the guts of his fellows bags , & bring him barer than he himself was tofore , & so in playe continue still , ( fortune fauoring now this way now that way ) till at last the one of them is left with as many crosses as God hath brethren : O howe often haue I thoughte my selfe sure of the vpper hande herein ? but I triumphed before the victorye : and then how ofte againe haue I thoughte the fielde loste ? Thus haue I béene tossed now ouer , nowe vnder , euen as fortune list to wherle the whéele , neither sure to winne nor certayne to loose the wager : and this practise that nowe my seruaunte hath deuised , although hitherto it hath not succeded amisse , yet can I not count my selfe assured of it , for I feare still that one mischance or other wyll come and turne it topsy turuie . But looke where my mayster commeth .

Damon comming in , espieth Dulippo and calleth him .

Scena . iij. DAMON . DVLIPPO . NEVOLA , and two mo seruants .

DVlipo .

Du.

Here sir .

Da.

Go in and bid Neuola and his fellowes come hither that I may tell them what they shall go about , and go you into my studie , there vppon the shelfe you shall find a roule of writings which Iohn of the Deane made to my father , when he solde him the Grange ferme , endorced with both their names : bring it hither to me .

Du.

It shall be done sir .

Da.

Go , I will prepare other maner of writings for you than you are aware of . O fooles that trust any man but themselues now adayes , oh spiteful fortune , thou doest me wrong I thinke , that from the depth of Hell pitte thou hast sente me this seruant to be the subuersion of me and all mine , come hither sirs and heare what I shall say vnto you : go in to my studie , where you shall find Dulippo , step to him all at once , take him and with a corde that I haue laide on the table for the nonce , bind him hande and foote , carie him into the dungeon vnder the steares , make fast the dore and bring me the kay , it hangeth by vppon a pin ou the wal , dispatche and do this geare as priuily as you can , and thou Neuola come hither to me againe with spéede .

Ne.

Well sir I shall .

Da.

Alas how shall I be reuenged of this extreme despite ? if I punishe my seruant according to his diuelishe deserts , I shall heape further cares vpon mine owne head , for to suche detestable offences no punishment can séeme sufficient , but onely death : & in such cases it is not lawfull for a man to be his owne caruer , the lawes are ordeyned , and officers appoynted to minister iustice for the redresse of wrongs : and if to the potestates I complayne me , I shal publishe mine owne reproche to the worlde : yea , what should it preuayle me to vse all the punishments that can be deuised ? the thing once done can not be vndone . My daughter is defloured , and vtterly dishonested , howe can I then wype that blot off my browe ? and on whome shall I séeke reuenge ? Alas , alas , I my selfe haue bene the cause of all these cares , and haue deserued to beare the punishment of all these mishappes . Alas , I should not haue committed my dearest darling in custodie to so carelesse a creature as this olde Nourse : for we sée by common proofe , that these olde women be either péeuishe , or to pitifull : either easily enclined to euill , or quickly corrupted with bribes and rewards . O wife , my good wife ( that nowe lyest colde in the graue ) now may I well bewayle the wante of thée , and mourning nowe may I bemone that I misse thée : if thou hadst liued , such was thy gouernement of the least things , that thou wouldest prudently haue prouided for the preseruation of this pearle : a costly iewell may I well accompte hir , that hath béen my chéefe comforte in youth , and is nowe become the corosiue of mine age . O Polynesta , full euill hast thou requited the clemencie of thy carefull father , and yet to excuse thée giltlesse before God , and to condemne thée giltie before the worlde , I can count none other but my wretched selfe the caytife and causer of all my cares : for of all the dueties that are requisite in humane lyfe , onely obedience is by the parents to be required of the childe , where on the other side the parents are bound , first to beget them , then to bring them foorth , after to nourish them , to preserue them from bodily perils in the cradle , from daunger of soule by godly education , to matche them in comfort enclined to vertue , to banish them all ydle and wanton companie , to allow them sufficiente for their sustentation , to cut of excesse the open gate of sinne , seldome or neuer to smile on them vnlesse it be to their encouragement in vertue , and finally , to prouide them mariages in time conuenient , lest neglected of vs , they learne to sette either to much or to litle by themselues : fiue yeares are past since I might haue maried hir , when by continuall excuses I haue prolonged it to my owne perdition : Alas , I shoulde haue considered , she is a collop of my owne flesh , what should I thinke to make hir a princesse ? Alas alas , a poore kingdome haue I now caught to endue hir with : it is too true , that of all sorowes this is the head source and chiefe fountaine of all furies : the goods of the worlde are incertaine , the gaines to be reioyced at , and the losse not greatly to be lamented , only the children cast away , cutteth the parents throate with the knife of inward care , which knife will kill me surely , I make none other accoumpte .

Damons seruants come to him againe .

Scena . iiij. NEVOLA . DAMON . PASIPHILO .

SIr , we haue done as you badde vs , and here is the key .

Da.

Well , go then Neuola and séeke master Casteling the iayler , he dwelleth by S. Antonies gate , desire him to lend me a paire of the fetters he vseth for his prisoners , and come againe quickly .

Well sir .

Da.

Heare you , if he aske what I would do with them , say you can not tell , and tell neither him nor any other , what is become of Dulippo .

I warante you sir . Fye vpon the Deuill , it is a thing almost vnpossible for a man nowe a daies to handle money but the metall will sticke on his fingers : I maruelled alway at this fellowe of mine Dulippo , that of the wages he receiued , he could mainteine himselfe so brauely apparelled , but now I perceiue the cause , he had the disbursing and receite of al my masters affaires , the keys of the granair , Dulippo here , Dulippo there , in fauoure with my master , in fauoure with his daughter , what woulde you more , he was Magister fac totum , he was as fine as the Crusadoe , and we silly wretches as course as canuas : well , behold what it is come to in the end , Pasi . subitò & improuiso venit . he had bin better to haue done lesse .

Pa.

Thou saist true Neuola , he hath done to much in déed .

Ne.

From whence commest thou in the deuils name ?

Pa.

Out of the same house thou camest from , but not out of the same dore .

Ne.

We had thought thou hadst bene gone long since .

Pa.

When I arose from the table , I felte a rumbling in my belly , whiche made me runne to the stable , and there I fell on sléepe vppon the strawe , and haue line there euer since : And thou , whether goest thou ?

Ne.

My Master hath sent me on an errand in great hast .

Pa.

Whether I pray thee ?

Ne.

Nay I may not tell , Farewell .

Pa.

As though I néede any further instructions : O God what newes I hard euen now , as I lay in the stable : O good Erostrato and pore Cleander , that haue so earnestly strouen for this damsell , happie is he that can get hir I promise you , he shal be sure of mo than one at a clap that catcheth hir , eyther Adam or Eue within hir bellie : oh God how men may be deceiued in a woman : who wold haue beléeued the contrary but that she had bin a virgin ? aske the neighbours and you shal heare very good report of hir , marke hir behauiors & you would haue iudged hir very maydenly , seldome seene abroade but in place of prayer , and there very deuout , and no gaser at outwarde sightes , no blaser of hir beautie aboue in the windowes , no stal at the doore for the bypassers : you would haue thought hir a holy yong woman . But muche good doe it you Domine Doctor , he shall be sure to lacke no corne in a deare yere , whatsoeuer he haue with hir else : I beshrewe me if I let the mariage any way . But is not this the olde scabbed queane that I heard disclosing al this géere to hir master , as I stoode in the stable ere nowe ? it is she . Whither goeth Psiteria ?

Pasiphilo espieth Psiteria comming .

Scena . v. PSITERIA , PASIPHILO .

TO a Gossip of mine héereby .

Pa.

What ? to tattle of the goodly stirre that thou keptst concerning Polynesta .

Ps.

No , no : but how knew you of that géere ?

Pa.

You tolde me .

Ps.

I ? when did I tell you ?

Pa.

Euen now when you tolde it to Damon , I both saw you and heard you , though you saw not me : a good parte I promise you , to accuse the poore wenche , kill the olde man with care , ouer and besides the daunger you haue brought Dulipo and the Nursse vnto , and many moe , fie , fie .

Ps.

In déed I was to blame , but not so much as you think .

Pa.

And how not so muche did I not heare you tell ?

Ps.

Yes , But I will tell you how it came to passe : I haue knowen for a great while , that this Dulipo and Polynesta haue béene togither , and all by the meanes of the nurse , yet I held my peace , and neuer tolde it . Now this other day the Nursse fell on scolding with me , and twyce or thryce called me drunken olde whore , and suche names that it was too badde : and I called hir baude , and tolde hir that I knew well enoughe howe often she had brought Dulipo to Polynestas bed : yet all this while I thought not that anye body had heard me , but it befell cleane contrarye , for my maister was on the other side of the wall , and heard all our talke , wherevpon he sent for me , and forced me to confesse all that you heard .

Pas.

And why wouldest thou tell him ? I woulde not for . &c.

Ps.

Well , if I had thought my maister would haue taken it so , he should rather haue killed me ?

Pas.

Why ? how could he take it ?

Ps.

Alas , it pitieth me to sée the poore yong woman how she wéepes , wailes , and teares hir heare , not esteming hir owne life halfe so deare as she doth poore Dulipoes : and hir father , he wéepes on the other side , that it woulde pearce an hart of stone with pitie : but I must be gone .

Pas.

Go that the gonne pouder consume the olde trotte .

Finis . Actus . 3.

Actus . iiij.

Scena . j. EROSTRA TO fained .

WHat shall I doe ? Alas what remedie shall I finde for my ruefull estate ? what escape , or what excuse maye I now deuise to shifte ouer our subtile supposes ? for though to this day I haue vsurped the name of my maister , and that without checke or controll of any man , now shal I be openly discyphred , and that in the sight of euery man : now shal it openly be knowen , whether I be Erostrato the gentleman , or Dulipo the seruaunt : we haue hitherto played our partes in abusing others , but nowe commeth the man that wil not be abused , the right Philogono the right father of the right Erostrato , going to seke Pasiphilo , and hearing that he was at the water gate , beholde I espied my seruaunt Litio , and by and by my olde maister Philogano setting forth his first step on land , I to fuge and away hither as fast as I could to bring word to the right Erostrato , of his right father Philogano , that to so sodaine a mishap some subtile shift might be vpon the sodaine deuised . But what can be imagined to serue the turne , although we had a monethes respite to beate oure braines about it , since we are commonly knowen , at the least supposed in this towne , he for Dulipo , a slaue & seruant to Damon , & I for Erostrato a gentleman & a student ? But beholde , runne Crapine to yonder olde woman before she get within the doores , & desire hir to call out Dulipo : but heare you ? if she aske who would speake with him , saye thy selfe and none other .

Erostrato espieth Psiteria comming , and sendeth his lackey to hir .

Scena . ij. CRAPINE . PSITERIA . EROSTRATO fained .

HOnest woman , you gossip , thou rotten whore , hearest thou not olde witche ?

Ps.

A rope stretche your yong bones , either you muste liue to be as old as I , or be hanged while you are yong .

Cra.

I pray thée loke if Dulipo be within .

Ps.

Yes that he is I warant him .

Cra.

Desire him then to come hither and speake a word with me , he shall not tarie .

Ps.

Content your selfe , he is otherwise occupied .

Cra.

Yet tell him so gentle girle .

Ps.

I tell you he is busie .

Cra.

Why is it suche a matter to tell him so , thou crooked Crone ?

Ps.

A rope stretche you marie .

Cra.

A pockes eate you marie .

Ps.

Thou wilt be hanged I warant thée , if thou liue to it .

Cra.

And thou wilt be burnt I warant thée , if the canker consume thée not .

Ps.

If I come néere you hempstring , I will teache nowe to sing sol fa .

Cra.

Come on , and if I get a stone I will scare crowes with you .

Ps.

Goe with a mischiefe , I thinke thou be some deuill that woulde tempte me .

Ero.

Crapine : heare you ? come away , let hir goe with a vengeance , why come you not ? Alas loke where my maister Philogano commeth : what shall I doe ? where shall I hide me ? he shall not sée me in these clothes , nor before I haue spoken with the right Erostrato .

Erostrato espyeth Phylogano comming , and runneth about to hide him .

Scena . iij. PHILOGANO . FERRARESE the Inne keper . LITIO a seruaunt .

HOnest man it is euen so : be you sure there is no loue to be compared like the loue of the parents towards their children , it is not long since I thought that a very waightie matter shoulde not haue made me come oute of Sicilia , and yet now I haue taken this tedious toyle and trauaile vpon me , only to sée my sonne , & to haue him home with me .

Fer.

By my faith sir it hath bene a great trauaile in dede and to much for one of your age ?

Phi.

Yea be you sure : I came in companie with certaine gentlemen of my countrey , who had affaires to dispatche as far as to Ancona , from thence by water to Rauenna , and from Rauenna hither , continually against the tide .

Fer.

Yea , & I think that you had but homly lodging by the way .

Phi.

The worst that euer man had , but that was nothing to the stirre that the serchers kept with me when I came aborde the ship , Iesus how often they vntrussed my male & ransacked a litle capcase that I had , tossed & turned all that was within it , serched my bosome , yea my bréeches , that I assure you I thought they would haue flayed me to searche betwene the fell and the fleshe for fardings .

Fer.

Sure I haue heard no lesse , and that the marchantes bobbe them some times , but they play the knaues still .

Phi.

Yea be you well assured , for suche an office is the inheritance of a knaue , and an honest man will not meddle with it .

Fer.

Well , this passage shall seme pleasant vnto you when you shall finde your childe in health and well : but I praye you sir why did you not rather send for him into Sicilia , than to come your selfe , specially since you had none other businesse ? peraduenture you had rather endanger your selfe by this noysome iourney , than hazard to drawe him from hys studie .

Phi.

Nay , that was not the matter , for I had rather haue him giue ouer his studie altogether and come home .

Fer.

Why ? if you minded not to make him learned , to what ende did you send him hither at the first ?

Phi.

I will tell you : when he was at home he did as most yong men doe , he played many mad prankes and did many things that liked me not very well , and I thinking , that by that time he had sene the worlde , he would learne to know himselfe better , exhorted him to studie , and put in his election what place he would go to . At the last he came hither , and I thinke he was scarce here so sone as I felt the want of him , in suche sorte , as from that daye to this I haue passed fewe nightes without teares : I haue written to him very often that he shoulde come home , but continually he refused still , beseching me to continue his studie , wherin he doubted not ( as he said ) but to profite greatly .

Fer.

In dede he is very much commended of all men , and specially of the best reputed studentes .

Phi.

I am glad he hath not lost his time , but I care not greatly for so muche knowledge , I woulde not be without the sighte of hym againe so long , for all the learning in the worlde . I am olde nowe , and if God shoulde call mée in his absence , I promise you I thinke it woulde driue me into desperation .

Fer.

It is commendable in a man to loue his children , but to be so tender ouer them is more womanlike ?

Phi.

Well , I confesse it is my faulte : and yet I will tell you another cause of my comming hither , more waightie than this . Diuers of my countrey haue bene here since he came hither , by whom I haue sente vnto him , and some of them haue bene thrice , some foure or fiue times at his house , and yet could neuer speake with him : I feare he applies his studie so , that he will not léese the minute of an houre from his booke . What , alas , he might yet talke with his country-men for a while , he is a yong man , tenderly brought vp , and if he fare thus continually night and day at his booke , it may be enough to driue him into a frenesie .

Fer.

In dede , enoughe were as good as a feast : loe you sir , here is your sonne Erostratoes house , I will knocke .

Phi.

Yea , I pray you knocke .

Fer.

They heare not .

Phi.

Knocke againe .

Fer.

I thinke they be on slepe .

Ly.

If this gate were your Grandefathers soule , you coulde not knocke more softly , let me come : ho , ho , is there any bodye within ?

Dalio commeth to the wyndowe , and there maketh them answere .

Scena . iiij. DALIO the cooke . FERARESE th inholder . PHILOGANO . LITIO his man .

WHat deuill of hell is there ? I thinke he will breake the gates in péeces .

Li.

Marie fir , we had thoughte you had béene on sléepe within , and therefore we thoughte best to make you : what doth Erostrato ?

Da.

He is not within .

Phi.

Open the dore good fellow I pray thée .

Da.

If you thinke to lodge here , you are deceiued I tell you , for here are guestes enowe already .

Phi.

A good fellow , and much for thy maisters honesty by our Ladie : and what guestes I pray thée ?

Da.

Here is Philogano my maisters father , lately come out of Sicilia .

Phi.

Thou speakest truer than thou arte aware of , he wil be , by that time thou hast opened the dore : open I pray thée hartely .

Da.

It is a small matter for me to open the dore , but here is no lodging for you , I tell you plaine , the house is full .

Phi.

Of whom ?

Da.

I tolde you : here is Philogano my maisters father come from Cathanea .

Phi.

And when came he ?

Da.

He came thrée houres since , or more , he alighted at the Aungell , and left his horses there : afterwarde my maister brought him hither .

Phi.

Good fellow , I thinke thou haste good sport to mocke mée .

Da.

Nay , I thinke you haue good sporte to make me tary here , as though I haue nothing else to doe : I am matched with an vnrulye mate in the kitchin , I will goe loke to him another while .

Phi.

I thinke he be drunken .

Fer.

Sure he séemes so : sée you not how redde he is about the gilles ?

Phi.

Abide fellow , what Philogano is it whome thou talkest of ?

Da.

An honest gentleman , father to Erostrato my maister .

Phi.

And where is he ?

Da.

Here within .

Phi.

May we sée him ?

Da.

I thinke you may if you be not blinde .

Phi.

Go to , go tell him here is one wold speake with him .

Da.

Mary that I will willingly doe .

Phi.

I can not tell what I should saye to this géere , Litio what thinkest thou of it ?

Li.

I cannot tell you what I shoulde saye sir , the worlde is large and long , there maye be moe Philoganos and moe Erostratos than one , yea and moe Ferraras , moe Sicilias , and moe Cathaneas : peraduenture this is not that Ferrara which you sent your sonne vnto .

Phi.

Peraduenture thou arte a foole , and he was another that answered vs euen now . But be you sure honest man , that you mistake not the house ?

Fer.

Nay , then god helpe , thinke you I knowe not Erostratos house ? yes , and himselfe also : I sawe him here no longer since than yesterday : but here commes one that wil tell vs tidyngs of him . I like his countenaunce better than the others that answered at the windowe erewhile .

Dalio draweth his hed in at the wyndowe , the Scenese commeth out .

Scena . v. SCENESE . PHILOGANO . DALIO .

WOuld you speake with me sir ?

Phi.

Yea sir , I would faine knowe whence you are .

Sce.

Sir I am a Sicilian , at your commaundement .

Phi.

What part of Sicilia ?

Sce.

Of Cathanea .

Phi.

What shall I call your name ?

Sce.

My name is Philogano .

Phi.

What trade doe you occupie ?

Sce.

Marchandise .

Phi.

What marchandise brought you hither ?

Sce.

None , I came onely to sée a sonne that I haue here , whom I saw not these two yeares .

Phi.

What call they your sonne ?

Sce.

Erostrato .

Phi.

Is Erostrato your sonne ?

Sce.

Yea verily .

Phi.

And are you Philogano .

Sce.

The same .

Phi.

And a marchant of Cathanea ?

Sce.

What néede I tell you so often ? I will not tell you a lye .

Phi.

Yes , you haue tolde me a false lie , and thou arte a villaine and no better .

Sce.

Sir , you offer me great wrong with these iniurious wordes .

Phi.

Nay , I will doe more than I haue yet proffered to doe , for I will proue thée a lyer , and a knaue to take vpon thée that thou art not .

Sce.

Sir I am Philogano of Cathenea , out of all doubte , if I were not I would be lothe to tell you so .

Phi.

Oh , sée the boldnesse of this brute beast , what a brasen face he setteth on it ?

Sce.

Well , you may beleue me of you liste : what wonder you ?

Phi.

I wonder at thy impudencie , for thou , nor nature that framed thée , can euer counterfaite thée to be me , ribauld villaine , and lying wretch that thou arte .

Da.

Shall I suffer a knaue to abuse my maisters father thus ? hence villaine , hence , or I will sheath this good fawchion in your paunch : if my maister Erostrato find you prating here on this fashion to his father , I wold not be in your coate for mo cunnie skinnes than I gat these twelue monethes : come you in againe sir , and let this Curre barke here till hée burst .

Dalio pulleth the Scenese in at the dores .

Scena . vj. PHILOGANO . LITIO . FERARESE .

LItio , how likest thou this géere ?

Li.

Sir , I like it as euill as may be , but haue you not often heard tell of the falsehood of Ferrara , and now may you sée , it falleth out accordingly .

Fer.

Friend , you do not well to slaunder the Citie , these men are no Ferrareses you may know by their tong .

Li.

Well , there is neuer a barrell better herring , betwene you both : but in déed your officers are most to blame , that suffer such faultes to escape vnpunished .

Fer.

What knowe the officers of this ? thinke you they know of euery fault ?

Li.

Nay , I thinke they will knowe as litle as may be , specially when they haue no gaines by it , but they ought to haue their eares as open to heare of such offences , as the Ingates be to receyue guests .

Phi.

Holde thy peace foole .

Li.

By the masse I am afearde that we shal be proued fooles both two .

Phi.

Well , what shall we do ?

Li.

I would thinke best we should go séeke Erostrato him selfe .

Fer.

I will waite vpon you willingly , and either at the schooles , or at the conuocations , we shall find him .

Phi.

By our Lady I am wery , I will run no longer about to seke him , I am sure hither he will come at the last .

Li.

Sure , my mind giues me that we shall find a new Erostrato ere it be long .

Fe.

Looke where he is , whether runnes he ? stay you awhile , I will go tell him that you are here : Erostrato , Erostrato , ho Erostrato , I would speake with you .

Erostrato is espied vppon the stage running about .

Scena . vij. Fained EROSTRATO . FERRARESE . PHILOGANO . LITIO . DALIO . Ero.

NOwe can I hide me no longer , Alas what shall I doe ? I will set a good face on , to beare out the matter .

Fera.

O Erostrato , Philogano your father is come , of Sicilia .

Ero.

Tell me that I knowe not , I haue bene with him and séene him alredy .

Fera.

Is it possible ? and it séemeth by him that you know not of his comming .

Ero.

Why , haue you spoken with him ? when saw you him I pray you ?

Fera.

Loke you where he standes , why goe you not to him ? Looke you Philogano , beholde youre deare sonne Erostrato .

Phi.

Erostrato ? this is not Erostrato , thys séemeth rather to bée Dulippo , and it is Dulippo in déede .

Li.

Why , doubte you of that ?

Ero.

What saith this honest man ?

Phi.

Mary sir , in déede you are so honorably cladde , it is no maruell if you loke bigge .

Ero.

To whome speaketh he ?

Phi.

What , God helpe , do you not know me ?

Ero.

As farre as I remember Sir , I neuer sawe you before .

Phi.

Harke Litio , here is good géere , this honest man will not know me .

Ero.

Gentleman , you take your markes amisse .

Li.

Did I not tell you of the falsehood of Ferrara master ? Dulippo hath lerned to play the knaue indifferently well since he came hither .

Phi.

Peace I say .

Ero.

Friend , my name is not Dulippo , aske you thorough out this towne of great and smal , they know me : ask this honest man that is with you , if you wyll not beléeue me .

Ferra.

In déede , I neuer knewe him otherwise called than Erostrato , and so they call hym , as many as knowe him .

LI.

Master , nowe you may sée the falsehood of these fellowes , this honest man your hoste , is of counsaile with him , and would face vs downe that it is Erostrato : beware of these mates .

Fera.

Friende , thou doest me wrong to suspecte me , for sure I neuer hearde hym otherwise called than Erostrato .

Ero.

What name could you heare me called by , but by my right name ? But I am wise enough to stand prating here with this old man , I thinke he be mad .

Phi.

Ah runnagate , ah villaine traitour , doest thou vse thy master thus ? what hast thou done with my son villaine ?

Da.

Doth this dogge barke here still ? and will you suffer him master thus to reuile you ?

Ero.

Come in , come in , what wilte thou do with thys pestil ?

Da.

I will rap the olde cackabed on the costerd .

Ero.

Away with it , & you sirra , lay downe these stones , come in at dore euerye one of you , beare with him for his age , I passe not of his euill words .

Erostrato taketh all his seruantes in at the dores .

Scena . viij. PHILOGANO . FERRARESE . LITIO .

ALas , who shall relieue my miserable estate ? to whome shall I complaine , since he whome I broughte vp of a childe , yea and cherished him as if he had bene mine owne , doth nowe vtterly denie to knowe me ? and you whome I toke for an honest man , and he that should haue broughte me to the sighte of my sonne , are compacte with this false wretch , and woulde face me downe that he is Erostrato . Alas , you might haue some compassion of mine age , to the miserie I am now in , and that I am a stranger desolate of all comforte in this countrey , or at the least , you shoulde haue feared the vengeaunce of God the supreme iudge ( whiche knoweth the secrets of all harts ) in bearing this false witnesse with him , whome heauen and earth do know to be Dulippo and not Erostrato .

Li.

If there be many such witnesse in this countrey , men may go aboute to proue what they will in controuersies here .

Fer.

Well sir , you maye iudge of me as it pleaseth you , and howe the matter commeth to passe I knowe not , but truly , euer since he came firste hither , I haue knowen him by the name of Erostrato the sonne of Philogano a Cathanese , now whether he be so in dede , or whether he be Dulipo , ( as you aleadge ) let that be proued by them that knew him before he came hether . But I protest before god , that which I haue said , is neither a matter compact with him , nor anye other , but euen as I haue hard him called & reputed of al men .

Phi.

Out and alas , he whom I sent hither with my sonne to be his seruaunt , and to giue attendance on him , hath eyther cut his throate , or by some euill meanes made hym away , and hath not onely taken his garmentes , his bookes , his money , and that which he broughte oute of Sicilia wyth him , but vsurpeth his name also , and turneth to his owne commoditie the bills of exchaunge that I haue alwayes allowed for my sonnes expences , Oh miserable Philogano , oh vnhappie olde man : oh eternall god , is there no iudge ? no officer ? no higher powers whom I maye complaine vnto for redresse of these wrongs ?

Fer.

Yes sir , we haue potestates , we haue Iudges , and aboue al , we haue a most iuste prince , doubt you not , but you shall haue iustice if your cause be iust .

Phi.

Bring me then to the Iudges , to the potestates , or to whome you thinke best : for I will disclose a part of the greatest knauerie , a fardell of the fowlest falsehode that euer was heard of .

Li.

Sir , he that will goe to the ciuill lawe , must be sure of foure things : first , a right and a iust cause : then a righteous doctor to pleade : next , fauour Coram Iudice : and aboue all , a good purse to procure it .

Fer.

I haue not heard , that the law hath any respect to fauour , what you meane by it I cannot tell .

Phi.

Haue you no regarde to his woordes , he is but a foole .

Fer.

I pray you sir , let him tell me what is fauour ?

Li.

Fauour cal I , to haue a friend néere about the Iudge , who may so sollicite thy cause , as if it be right , spéedie sentence may ensue without any delayes : if it be not good , then to prolong it , till at the last , thine aduersarie being wearie , shal be glad be compound with thée .

Fer.

Of thus much ( although I neuer heard thus much in this countrey before ) doubt you not Philogano , I will bring you to an aduocate that shall spéede you accordingly .

Phi.

Then shall I giue my selfe , as it were a pray to the doctors , whose insatiable iawes I am not able to féede , although I had here all the goods and landes which I possesse in mine owne countrey , much lesse being a straunger in this miserie . I know their cautels of old : at the first time I come they will so extoll my cause , as though it were alredy woon : but within in seuennight or ten dayes , if I do not continually féede them as the crow doth hir brattes , twentie times in an houre , they will beginne to waxe colde , and to finde canels in my cause , saying , that at the firste I did not well instructe them : till at the laste , they will not onely drawe the stuffing oute of my purse , but the marrow oute of my bones .

Fer.

Yea sir , but this man that I tell you of , is halfe a Sainte .

Li.

And the other halfe a Deuill , I hold a pennie .

Phi.

Well saide Litio , in déede I haue but small confidence in their smothe lookes .

Fer.

Well sir , I thinke this whom I meane , is no suche manner of man : but if he were , there is suche hatred and euill will betwene him and this gentleman ( whether he be Erostrato or Dulippo , what so euer he be ) that I warrant you , he will doe what so euer he can do for you , were it but to spite him .

Phi.

Why ? what hatred is betwixt them ?

Fer.

They are both in loue and suters to one gentlewoman , the daughter of a welthie man in this citie .

Phi.

Why ? is the villeine become of such estimation that he dare presume to be a suter to any gentlewoman of a good familie ?

Fer.

Yea sir out of all doubt .

Phi.

How call you his aduersarie ?

Fer.

Cleander , one of the excellentest doctors in our citie .

Phi.

For gods loue let vs goe to him .

Fer.

Goe we then .

Finis Actus . 4.

Actus quinti.

Scena . I. Fained EROSTRATO .

WHat a mishappe was this ? that before I coulde méete with Erostrato , I haue light euen full in the lappe of Philogano , where I was constrained to denye my name , to denie my maister , and to faine that I knew him not , to contend with him , and to reuile him , in such sort , that hap what hap can , I can neuer hap well in fauour with him againe : therfore if I could come to speake with the right Erostrato . I will renounce vnto him both habite and credite , & awaye as fast as I can trudge into some strange countrey , where I maye neuer sée Philogano againe . Alas , he that of a litle childe hath brought me vp vnto this day , and nourished me as if I had bene his owne : and in dede ( to confesse the trouth ) I haue no father to trust vnto but him . But loke where Pasiphilo commeth , the fittest man in the worlde to goe on my message to Erostrato .

Erostrato espieth Pasiphilo comming towards him .

Scena . ij. PASIPHILO . EROSTRATO .

TWo good newes haue I heard to day alreadye , one that Erostrato prepared a great feast this night : the other , that he séeketh for me , and I to ease him of his trauaile , least he shoulde runne vp and downe séeking me , and bycause no man loueth better than I to haue an errand where good chéer is , come in post hast euen home to his owne house : and loke where he is .

Ero.

Pasiphilo , thou muste doe one thing for me if thou loue me .

Pas.

If I loue you not , who loues you , commaunde me ?

Ero.

Go then a litle there , to Damons house , aske for Dulipo , and tell him .

Pas.

Wot you what ? I cannot speake with him , he is in prison .

Ero.

In prison ? how commeth that to passe ? where is he in prison ?

Pas.

In a vile dungeon there within his maisters house .

Ero.

Canst thou tell wherfore ?

Pas.

Be you content to know he is in prison , I haue told you to muche .

Ero.

If euer you will doe any thing for me , tell me .

Pas.

I pray you desire me not , what were you the better if you knew ?

Ero.

More than thou thinkest Pasiphilo by god .

Pas.

Well , and yet it standes me vpon more than you thinke , to kepe it secrete

Ero.

Why Pasiphilo , is this the trust I haue had in you ? are these the faire promyses you haue alwayes made me ?

Pas.

By the masse I would I had fasted this night with maister doctor , rather than haue come hither .

Ero

Well Pasiphilo , eyther tell me , or at fewe woordes neuer thinke to bee welcome to thys house from hence forthe .

Pas

Nay , yet I had rather léese all the gentlemen in this towne , but if I tell you anye thing that displease you , blame no body but your selfe now .

Ero.

There is nothing can greue me more than Dulipos mishappe , no not mine owne , and therfore I am sure thou canst tell me no worsse tidings .

Pa.

Well , since you would néedes haue it , I wil tell you : he was taken a bed with your beloued Polynesta .

Ero.

Alas , and dothe Damon knowe it ?

Pa.

An olde trot in the house disclosed it to him , whervpon he tooke bothe Dulipo and the Nurse which hath bene the broker of all this bargayne , and clapte them bothe in a cage , where I thinke they shall haue sowre soppes to their swéete meates .

Ero.

Pasiphilo , go thy wayes into the kitchin , commaund the cooke to boyle and roast what liketh thée best , I make thée supra visour of this supper .

Pa.

By the masse if you should haue studied this seuenight , you could not haue appoynted me an office to please me better , you shall sée what dishes I will deuise .

Pasiphilo goeth in , Erostrato tarieth .

Scena . iij. Fayned EROSTRATO alone .

I Was glad to rid him out of the way , least he shoulde sée me burst out these swelling teares , which hitherto with great payne I haue prisoned in my brest , & least he should heare the Eccho of my doubled sighes , which bounce from the botome of my heuy heart . O cursed I , O cruell fortune , that so many dispersed griefes as were sufficient to subuert a legion of Louers , hast sodenly assembled within my carefull carcase to freat this fearfull heart in sunder with desperation : thou that hast kepte my master all his youthe within the realme of Sicilia reseruing the wind and waues in a temperate calme ( as it were at his commaunde ) nowe to conuey his aged limmes hither , neither sooner nor later , but euen in the worst time that may be : if at any time before thou haddest conducted him , this enterprise had bene cut off without care in the beginning : and if neuer so little longer thou hadst lingred his iorney , this happie day might then haue fully finished our driftes and deuises . But alas , thou hast brought him euen in the very worst time , to plunge vs all in the pitte of perdition . Neither art thou content to entangle me alone in thy ruinous ropes , but thou must also catche the righte Erostrato in thy crooked clawes , to rewarde vs bothe with open shame and rebuke . Two yeres hast thou kepte secret our subtil Supposes , euen this day to discipher them with a sorowfull successe . What shall I do ? Alas what shifte shall I make ? it is too late nowe to imagine any further deceite , for euery minute séemeth an houre till I find some succour for the miserable captiue Erostrato . Well , since there is no other remedie , I wil go to my master Philogano , and to him will I tell the whole truthe of the matter , that at the least he may prouide in time , before his sonne féele the smart of some sharpe reuenge & punishment : this is the best , and thus will I do : yet I know , that for mine owne parte I shal do bitter penance for my faults forepassed : but suche is the good wil and duetie that I beare to Erostrato , as euen with the losse of my life I muste not sticke to aduenture any thing which may turne to his commoditie . But what shall I do ? shall I go séeke my master about the towne , or shall I tarrie his returne hither ? If I méete him in the stréetes , he will crie out vpon me , neither will he harken to any thing that I shall say , till he haue gathered all the people woondring about me , as it were at an Owle . Therefore I were better to abide here , and yet if he tarrie long , I will go séeke him , rather than prolong the time to Erostratos perill .

Pasiphilo returneth to Erostrato .

Scena . iiij. PASIPHILO . Fayned EROSTRATO .

YEa dresse them , but lay them not to the fire , till they wil be ready to sit downe : this géere goeth in order : but if I had not gone in , there had fallen a foule faulte .

Ero.

And what fault I pray thée ?

Pa.

Marie , Dalio would haue layd the shoulder of mutton and the Capon bothe to the fire at once , like a foole , he did not consider , that the one woulde haue more roasting than the other .

Ero.

Alas , I would this were the greatest fault .

Pa.

Why ? and either the one should haue bene burned before the other had bene roasted , or else he muste haue drawne them off the spitte : and they would haue bene serued to the boorde either colde or rawe .

Ero.

Thou hast reason Pasiphilo .

Pa.

Now sir , if it please you I will go into the towne and buye oranges , olyues , and caphers , for without suche sauce the supper were more than halfe lost .

Ero.

There are within already , doubt you not , there shal lacke nothing that is necessarie .

Erostrato exit . Pa.

Since I tolde him these newes of Dulipo , he is cleane beside him selfe : he hath so many hammers in his head , that his braynes are ready to burst : and let them breake , so I may suppe with him to night , what care I ? But is not this Dominus noster Cleandrus that commeth before ? well sayde , by my truthe we will teache master Doctor to weare a cornerd cappe of a new fashion : by God Polynesta shall be his , he shall haue hir out of doubt , for I haue tolde Erostrato suche newes of hir , that he will none of hir .

Cleander and Philogano come in , talking of the matter in controuersie .

Scena . v. CLEANDER . PHILOGANO . LITIO . PASIPHILO .

YEa , but how wilt ye proue that he is not Erostrato , hauing suche presumptions to the contrarie ? or how shal it be thought that you are Philogano , when an other taketh vpon him this same name , and for proofe bringeth him for a witnesse , which hath bene euer reputed here for Erostrato ?

Phi.

I will tell you sir , let me be kepte héere faste in prison , and at my charges let there be some man sente into Sicilia , that may bring hither with him two or thrée of the honestest men in Cathanea and by them let it be proued if I or this other be Philogano , and whether he be Erostrato or Dulipo my seruant : and if you finde me contrarie , let me suffer death for it .

Pa.

I will go salute master Doctour .

Cle.

It will aske great labour & great expences to proue it this way , but it is the best remedie that I can see .

Pa.

God saue you sir .

Cle.

And rewarde you as you haue deserued .

Pa.

Then shall be giue me your fauour continually .

Cle.

He shall giue you a halter , knaue and villein that thou arte .

Pa.

I knowe I am a knaue , but no villein , I am your seruaunt .

Cle.

I neither take thée for my seruant , nor for my friend .

Pa.

Why ? wherin haue I offended you sir ?

Cle.

Hence to the gallowes knaue .

Pa.

What softe and fayre sir , I pray you , I prae sequor , you are mine elder .

Cle.

I will be euen with you , be you sure , honest man .

Pa.

Why sir ? I neuer offended you .

Cle.

Well , I wil teache you : out of my sight knaue .

Pa.

What ? I am no dogge , I would you wist .

Cle.

Pratest thou yet villein ? I will make thée .

Pa.

What wil you make me ? I sée wel the more a man dothe suffer you , the worsse you are .

Cle.

A villein , if it were not for this gentleman , I would tell you what I .

Pa.

Uillein ? nay I am as honest a man as you .

Cle.

Thou liest in thy throate knaue .

Phi.

O sir , stay your wisedome .

Pas.

What will you fight ? marie come on .

Cle.

Well knaue , I will méete with you another time , goe your way .

Pas.

Euen when you list sir , I will be your man .

Cle.

And if I be not euen with thée , call me cut .

Pas.

Nay by the masse , all is one , I care not , for I haue nothing : if I had either landes or goods , peraduenture you would pull me into the lawe .

Phi.

Sir , I perceiue your pacience is moued .

Cle.

This villeine : but let him goe , I will sée him punished as he hath deserued . Now to the matter , howe sayde you ?

Phi.

This fellow hath disquieted you sir , peraduenture you would be lothe to be troubled any further .

Cle.

Not a whit , saye on , and let him goe with a vengeance .

Phi.

I say , let them send at my charge to Cathanea .

Cle.

Yea I remember that well , and it is the surest way as this case requireth : but tell me , howe is he your seruaunt ? and howe come you by him ? enforme me fully in the matter .

Phi.

I will tell you sir : when the Turkes won Otranto .

Cle.

Oh , you put me in remembrance of my mishappes .

Phi.

How sir ?

Cle.

For I was driuen among the rest out of the towne ( it is my natiue countrey ) and there I lost more than euer I shall recouer againe while I liue .

Phi.

Alas , a pitifull case by saint Anne .

Cle.

Well , procéede .

Phi.

At that time ( as I saide ) there were certaine of oure countrey that scoured those costes vpon the seas , with a good barke well appoynted for the purpose , and had espiall of a Turkey vessell that came laden from thence with great aboundance of riches .

Cle.

And peraduenture most of mine .

Phi.

So they boarded them , & in the end ouercame them , and brought the goods to Palermo , from whence they came , and amongst other things that they had , was this villeine my seruaunte , a boy at that time , I thinke not paste fiue yeres olde .

Cle.

Alas I lost one of that same age there .

Phi.

And I beyng there , and lyking the Childes fauour well , proffered them foure and twentie ducattes for him , and had him .

Cle.

What ? was the childe a Turke ? or had the Turks brought him from Otranto ?

Phi

They saide he was a Childe of Otranto , but what is that to the matter ? once .xxiiij Ducattes he cost me , that I wot well .

Cle.

Alas , I speake it not for that sir , I woulde it were he whom I meane .

Phi.

Why , whom meane you sir ?

Liti.

Beware sir , be not to lauishe .

Cle.

Was his name Dulippo then ? or had he not another name ?

Liti.

Beware what you say sir .

Phi.

What the deuill hast thou to doe ? Dulipo ? no sir , his name was Carino .

Liti.

Yea , well said , tell all and more to , doe ?

Cle.

O Lord , if it be as I thinke , how happie were I ? and why did you change his name then ?

Phi.

We called him Dulippo , bycause when he cryed as Children doe sometimes , he woulde alwayes cry on that name Dulippo .

Cle.

Well , then I sée well it is my owne onely Childe , whom I loste , when I loste my countrey : he was named Carino after his grandfather , and this Dulippo whom he alwayes remembred in his lamenting , was his foster father that nourished him and brought him vp .

Liti.

Sir , haue I not told you enough of the falshood of Ferrara ? this gentleman will not only picke your purse , but beguile you of your seruaunt also , and make you beleue he is his sonne .

Cle.

Well goodfellow , I haue not vsed to lie .

Liti.

Sir no , but euery thing hath a beginning .

Cle.

Fie , Philogano haue you not the least suspecte that may be of me .

Liti.

No marie , but it were good he had the moste suspecte that may be .

Cle.

Well , hold thou thy peace a litle good fellow . I pray you tell me Philogano had the child any remembrance of his fathers name , his mothers name or the name of his familie ?

Phi.

He did remember them , and could name his mother also , but sure I haue forgotten the name .

Liti.

I remember it well enough .

Phi.

Tell it then .

Liti.

Nay , that I will not marie , you haue tolde him too much already .

Phi.

Tell it I say , if thou can .

Liti.

Can ? yes by the masse I can wel enough : but I wil haue my tong pulled out , rather than tell it , vnlesse he tell it first : doe you not perceiue sir , what he goeth about ?

Cle.

Well , I will tell you then , my name you know alredy : my wife his mothers name was Sophronia , the house that I came of , they call Spiagia .

Liti.

I neuer heard him speake of Spiagia but in déede I haue heard him say , his mothers name was Sophronia : but what of that ? a great matter I promise you , it is like enoughe that you two haue compact together to deceiue my maister .

Cle.

What nedeth me more euident tokens ? this is my sonne out of doubt whom I lost eightéen yeares since , and a thousand thousand times haue I lamented for him : he shuld haue also a mould on his left shoulder .

Li.

He hath a moulde there in déede : and an hole in an other place too , I woulde your nose were in it .

Cle.

Faire wordes fellow Litio : oh I pray you let vs goe talke with him , O fortune , howe much am I bounde to thee if I finde my sonne ?

Phi.

Yea how small am I beholden to fortune , that know not where my sonne is become , and you whom I chose to be mine aduocate , will nowe by the meanes of this Dulipo become mine aduersarie ?

Cle.

Sir , let vs first goe find mine : and I warrant you yours will be founde also ere it be long .

Phi.

God graunt , goe we then .

Cle.

Since the dore is open , I will neither knocke nor call , but we will be bolde to goe in .

Li.

Sir , také you héede , least he leade you to some mischiefe .

Phi.

Alas Litio , if my sonne be loste what care I what become of me ?

Li.

Well , I haue tolde you my minde Sir , doe you as you please .

Exeunt : Damon and Psiteria come in .

Scena sexta DAMON . PSITERIA .

COme hither you olde kallat , you tatling huswife , that the deuill cut oute your tong : tell me , howe could Pasiphilo know of this géere but by you ?

Psi.

Sir , he neuer knewe it of me , he was the firste that tolde me of it .

Da.

Thou liest olde drabbe , but I woulde aduise you tell me the truth , or I wil make those olde bones rattle in your skinne .

Psi.

Sir , if you finde me contrarie , kill me .

Da.

Why ? where should he talke with thée ?

Psi.

He talked with me of it here in the stréete .

Da.

What did you here ?

Psi.

I was goyng to the weauers for a webbe of clothe you haue there .

Da.

And what cause coulde Pasiphilo haue to talke of it , vnlesse thou began the matter first ?

Psi.

Nay , he began with me sir , reuiling me , bycause I had tolde you of it : I asked him how he knewe of it , and he said he was in the stable when you examined me erewhile .

Da.

Alas , alas , what shall I doe then ? in at dores olde whore , I wil plucke that tong of thine out by the rootes one day . Alas it gréeueth me more that Pasiphilo knoweth it , than all the rest : he that will haue a thing kept secrete , let him tell it to Pasiphilo , the people shall knowe it , and as many as haue eares and no mo : by this time he hath tolde it in a hundreth places . Cleander was the firste , Erostrato the seconde , and so from one to another throughout the citie . Alas , what dower , what mariage shall I nowe prepare for my daughter ? O poore dolorous Damon , more miserable than miserie it selfe , would god it were true that Polinesta , tolde me ere while : that he who hathe deflowred hir , is of no seruile estate , as hitherto he hath bene supposed in my seruice : but that he is a gentleman borne of a good parentage in Sicilia . Alas , small riches should content me , if he be but of an honest familie , but I feare that he hathe deuised these toyes to allure my daughters loue . Well I wil goe examine hir againe , my mind giueth me that I shall perceiue by hir tale whether it be true or not . But is not this Pasiphilo that commeth out of my neighbours house ? what the deuill ayleth him to leape and laughe so like a foole in the high way ?

Pasiphilo commeth out of the towne laughing .

Scena septima . PASIPHILO . DAMON .

O God , that I might finde Damon at home .

Da.

What the deuill would he with me ?

Pas.

That I may be the firste that shall bring him these newes .

Da.

What will he tell me , in the name of God ?

Pas.

O Lord , how happie am I ? loke where he is .

Da.

What newes Pasiphilo , that thou arte so merie ?

Pas.

Sir , I am mery to make you gland : I bring you ioyfull newes .

Da.

And that I haue nede of Pasiphilo .

Pas.

I knowe sir , that you are a sorowfull man for this mishap that hath chaunced in your house , peraduenture you thoughte I had not knowen of it : but let it passe , plucke vp you sprites , and reioyce , for he that hath done you this iniurie is so well borne , and hath so riche parents , that you may be glad to make him your sonne in law .

Da.

How knowest thou ?

Pas.

His father Philogano one of the worthiest men in all Cathanea , is nowe come to the citie , and is here in your neighbours house .

Da.

What , in Erostratos house ?

Pas.

Nay in Dulipos house , for where you haue alwayes supposed this gentleman to be Erostrato , it is not so , but your seruaunt whom you haue emprisoned hitherto , supposed to be Dulipo , he is in dede Erostrato , and that other is Dulipo : and thus they haue alwayes , euen since their first ariual in this citie , exchaunged names , to the ende that Erostrato the maister , vnder the name of Dulipo a seruaunte , mighte be entertained in your house , and so winne the loue of your daughter .

Da.

Well , then I perceiue it is euen as Polinesta told me .

Pas.

Why , did she tell you so ?

Da.

Yea : But I thought it but a tale .

Pas.

Well , it is a true tale : and here they will be with you by and by , both Philogano this worthie man , and maister doctor Cleander .

Da.

Cleander ? what to doe ?

Pas.

Cleander ? Why therby lies another tale , the moste fortunate aduenture that euer you heard : wot you what ? this other Dulipo , whom all this while we supposed to be Erostrato , is founde to be the sonne of Cleander , whom he lost at the losse of Otranto , and was after solde in Sicilia to this Philogano , the strangest case that euer you heard : a man might make a Comedie of it , they wil come euen straight , and tell you the whole circumstance of it themselues .

Da.

Nay I will first goe heare the storie of this Dulipo , be it Dulipo or Erostrato that I heare within , before I speake with Philogano .

Pas.

So shall you doe well sir , I will goe tell them that they may stay a while , but loke where they come .

Damon goeth in , Scenese , Cleander and Philogano come vpon the stage .

Scena . viij. SCENESE . CLEANDER . PHILOGANO .

SIr , you shall not nede to excuse the matter any further , since I haue receiued no greater iniurie than by words : let them passe like wind , I take them well in worthe , and am rather well pleased than offended , for it shall bothe be a good warning to me another time howe to trust euery man at the first sighte , yea , and I shall haue good game hereafter to tell this pleasant storye another day in mine owne countrey .

Cle.

Gentleman , you haue reason , and be you sure , that as many as heare it , will take great pleasure in it , and you Philogano may thinke , that god in heauen aboue , hath ordained your comming hither at this presente , to the ende I mighte rcouer my lost sonne , whom by no other meanes I could euer haue founde oute .

Phi.

Surely sir I thinke no lesse , for I thinke that not so muche as a leafe falleth from the tree , withoute the ordynance of god . But let vs goe seke Damon , for me thinketh euery day a yeare , euery houre a daye , and euery minute to much till I see my Erostrato .

Cle.

I cannot blame you , goe we then , Carino take you that gentleman home in the meane time , the fewer the better to be present at such affaires .

Pasiphilo stayeth their goyng in .

Scena . ix. PASIPHILO . CLEANDER .

MAister doctor , will you not shew me this fauour , to tell me the cause of your displeasure ?

Cle.

Gentle Pasiphilo , I muste néedes confesse I haue done thée wrong , and that I beleued tales of thée , whiche in déede I finde now contrary .

Pas.

I am glad then that it procéeded rather of ignorance than of malice .

Cle.

Yea beleue me Pasiphilo .

Pas.

O sir , but yet you shoulde not haue giuen me suche foule wordes .

Cle.

Well , content thy selfe Pasiphilo , I am thy frende as I haue alwayes bene : for proofe whereof , come suppe with me to nighte , and from day to daye this seuen night be thou my guest : but beholde , here commeth Damon out of his house .

Here they come all together .

Scena decima . CLEANDER . PHILOGANO . DAMON . EROSTRATO . PASIPHILO . POLINESTA . NEVOLA , and other seruauntes .

WE are come vnto you sir , to turne your sorowe into ioye and gladnes : the sorow , we meane , that of force you haue sustained since this mishappe of late fallen in your house . But be you of good comfort sir , and assure your selfe , that this yong man whiche youthfully and not maliciously hath committed this amorous offence , is verie well hable with consent of this worthie man his father , to make you sufficient amendes , being borne in Cathanea of Sicilia , of a noble house , noway inferiour vnto you , and of wealth ( by the reporte of suche as knowe it ) farre excéeding that of yours .

Phe.

And I here in proper person , doe presente vnto you sir , not onely my assured frendship and brotherhoode , but do earnestly desire you to accepte my poore childe ( thoughe vnworthy ) as your sonne in lawe : and for recompence of the iniurie he hath done you , I profer my whole lands in dower to your daughter , yea and more would , if more I might .

Cle.

And I sir , who haue hitherto so earnestly desired your daughter in mariage , doe now willingly yelde vp and quite claime to this yong man , who both for his yeares , and for the loue he beareth hir , is most méetest to be hir husband : for where I was desirous of a wife by whom I might haue yssue , to leaue that litle which god hath sent me , nowe haue I litle néede , that ( thankes be to god ) haue founde my déerely beloued sonne , whom I loste of a childe at the siege of Otranto .

Da.

Worthy gentleman , you frendship , your alliaunce , and the nobilitie of your birthe are suche , as I haue muche more cause to desire them of you , than you to request of me that which is already graunted : therefore I gladly , and willingly receiue the same , and thinke my selfe moste happie now of all my life past , that I haue gotten so toward a sonne in lawe to my selfe , and so worthye a father in lawe to my daughter , yea and muche the greater is my contentation , since this worthie gentleman maister Cleander , doth holde himselfe satisfied . And now behold your sonne .

Ero.

O father .

Pas.

Beholde the naturall loue of the childe to the the father , for inwarde ioye he cannot pronounce one worde , in stéede wherof he sendeth sobbes and teares to tell the effect of his inwarde intention . But why doe you abide here abrode ? will it please you to goe into the house sir ?

Da.

Pasiphilo hathe saide well , will it please you to goe in sir ?

Ne.

Here I haue brought you sir , bothe fetters & boltes .

Da.

Away with them now .

Ne.

Yea , but what shall I doe with them ?

Da.

Marie I will tell thée Neuola , to make a righte ende of our supposes , lay one of those boltes in the fire , and make thée a suppositorie as long as mine arme , God saue the sample . Nobles and gentlemen , if you suppose that our supposes haue giuen you sufficient cause of delighte , shewe some token , wherby we may suppose you are content .

FINIS .