seech thee, an' they be men, they will let a lady enter without many questions.

1 Guard. Save you, sweet lady; your affairs this way?

Morel I go but in to the princess.
1.Guard. From whom?

Morel. From the duke's grace.

1 Guard. What may be your ladyship's name? Morel. I never thought to give myself a name.my name is madam-um. My name is something an odd name; but I do not stand upon't-my name is Thorn.

1 Guard. Indeed, Madam Thorn, if his grace hath sent you to such a purpose, you must shew something for our discharge.

Morel Why, hark'e you, it was but forgotten of the duke to send his signet ;-but I have brought some of his higness's deputies with ine: I hope that will satisfy.

[As he takes out money, discovers breeches. 2 Guard. By this gold, breeches! 3 Guard. No, they are but silk-here will be sport; I have a hint already.

1 Guard. Say you so? Tis very well--But, madam, we are many, and we would be loth to venture; deal ingeniously, 12* sweet lady; have you n more gold in your breeches?

Morel. Not a doit, as I am virtuous and sinful. 1 Guard. Pass-but, d'ye hear, an' you should not be secret now?

Morel. As I am a gentleman

3 Guard. A gentleman? do'st hear him? I'll put him to't.

Morel. I have left some crowns with your fellow.

2 Guard. Tush, that wo'not satisfy me. Morel. Indeed, I ha' no more money.

2 Guard. You have commodity: hang this transitory gold-give me-what's this?

Morel Nothing but a wart o' my little ånger. 2 Guard. A wart! let me see't.

[Pulls off his glove. Morel. Tis a diamond; 'twas iny mother's legacy-or else

2 Guard. Is it your will I should have it? Morel. It was my mother's will I should wear it: her ghost will haunt me, an' I should give it

Morel. You've kissed the ring off my finger, I'm

sure.

1 Guard. Use your fortune; pass. Morel. If I get to the ladies, somebody shall pay for this; that's my comfort.

3 Guard. Can you wrestle, madam?

[Takes him by the shoulder. Morel, Ah-wrestle, sir, ladies do not use to wrestle.

3 Guard. They are thrown down with their good-wills then. Come, you and I will have a bout; I must hug your little body.

ger.

1 Guard. Humour him, and you're past dan

Morel. Would you ha' me tear my clothes? 1 Guard. I'll persuade him.

2 Guard. To tell you true, madam, this fellow is an abominable lecher; there is no 'scaping him without a fall; a very satyr; he leaps all comes near him: if your ladyship's modesty can dispense with a private favour-you understaud; for our parts, we are satisfied otherwise, and our lips are sewed up. Take him a one side, and see how you can mollify him; he's a cock o' the game, and will tread you an' you were ten thorns. Morel. Mollify him! Doth he use ladies so? He will mollify me?

2 Guard. An' you were his sister, all's one to him; the devil is not more hot and robustious, where he finds opposition to the sport; therefore the duke made choice of him, as suspecting some lord might come disguised o' this fashion, to prevent dishonour to the princess and ladies.—Use your own discretion.

Morel. What will become of me? If he be such a wencher, he'll ravish me, and discover all. What a rascal was I to venture thus! I'll give thee my fan to persuade him-help, help.

3 Guard. Nay then.

[He throws him down, and discovers his breeches.

Why, how now? breeches! 1 Guard. This is a man.

2 Guard. Sure 'tis a woman.

Morel. To tell you true, gentlemen, I am nei ther a man nor a woman; I am an hermaphrodite.

1 Guard. How! an hermaphrodite? what would you do among the ladies, then? 2 Guard. An hermaphrodite !

3 Guard. Let's search him. Morel. Ab!

1 Guard. Stay, let's be advised; if he be such a monster, our best way is to carry him to the Duke.

2 and 3 Guard. Agreed.

Morel. I shall be undone.---D' ye hear, noble

12*

7

2 Guard. Your name, I beseech you?

Morel. I did but jest all this while; the Duke himself put me upon't, to see whether I could cozen you; my name's Morello.

1 Guard. Signior Morello! 'tis not possible. Morel. As I am virtuous, I am; I am no hermaphrodite; no matter for the gold or diamonds, 'us your own. I'll acquaint his Grace how careful I found you; and if he does not reward you beside, I'll say he's the poorest duke in Christendom: I'll tell him presently.

3 Guard. Noble siguior, we'll wait upon you to him.

Morel. No, no, 'tis better for me to go alone. 1 Guard. Your pardon, you shall tell him how careful you found us; we'll relate to him how cunningly you carried the business.

Morel. Nay, d'ye hear, gentlemenAll. It must be so, sir; come, sweet effeminate signior. [Exeunt.

Enter FULVIO and Ambassador. Ambas. Y'ave done me a noble office, signior, in this

Discovery; where now lives her banished lover? Fulv. My kinsman lives in Florence; but two days since

I received letters from him.
Ambas. In Florence too?

Fulo. Sir, you may censure me;

But my affection to the injured lord,
And not without respect unto the honour
Of your master too, hath been the cause of
My free language.

Ambas. Trust me, signior,

We are all engaged to study you a recompence;
But Mantua was unjust to banish him,
For being too much a servant.

Fulo. Sir, when princes resolve to punish--
Ambas. Virtue shall be treason.
'Twas tyranny--why now is she thus caged?
Fulv. I can conjecture nothing but his jealousy,
Which will be ever active. By that love
We interchanged at Pisa, when we grew
Together in our studies, I conjure
Your nobleness to silence.

Ambas. You will dishonour me by suspicion ::
I am charmed.

Enter PERENOTTO, DONDOLO, and GRUTTI,
Peren. My honoured lord!

Ambas. Signior Perenotto!

Fulv. My gentle sparks!

Dond. and Grut. Your servants.

Peren. This hour expected, and in this place. Fulv. How?

Dond. With a trick that he has.

Fulo. Do you believe him, gentlemen ?
Grut. You shall see't.

Dond. We were heretics in that point; but our understandings are convinced; he did de

monstrate.

Grut. And, because you shall know the truth of his art, he will be invisible all but his hand : what think you of that? the rarest fellow in Christendom.

Ambas. Nothing visible but his hand?

Dond. As sure as we have given him a hundred crowns in hand.

Ambas. Why is not the Duke presented with this novelty?

Dond. He's travelling to the emperor first; only as he goes, for our sake, he will show us a figary of his art.

Enter ROLLIARDO.

Here's Rolliardo; he's somewhat costive o' t'other side, wants faith,

Rol. Save you, nest of courtiers; smooth faces, rich clothes, and sublime compliments, make you amorous in sight of your ladies. Donzell del Phebo and Rosicleer 13, are you there? what pestilent diseases have you got, that you wear so much musk and civet about you? Oh for a priest of Cupid to sacrifice you now! how your breeches would burn like incense, and your hair, disguised in sweet powder, leave your bodies in a mist, while your bones were inwardly consuming with the fire of dame Venus's altar!

Dond. The same humourist still.

Rol. I heard say we shall have strange apparitions i'the air, and yet invisible wonders; a hand must appear as fatal to some, as that hung o'er the capitol; for there is a suspicion some purses will be juggled empty, and as silent as the moon; no bright Sol appearing, nor a piece of pale-faced silver in your silken hemispheres.

Grut. He is an infidel.

Rol. Right, Jehochanan! right, my precious Jew! we are all infidel that wo'not believe the court-catechism. My lord ambassador, you are welcome from Florence: does the great duke pick sallads still? I mean continue his assize, return into his exchequer, once in seven years, the wealth of Tuscany Vespasian was held covetou

for ordaining vessels to receive the beneficial public urine; but 'tis heathenism among Christians not to hold dulcis odor lucri è re qualibet. Ambas. He's mad.

Rol. Signior Perenotto, it has puzzled my understanding how you can subsist at court, without making use of the common sins, flattery and corruption; take heed, you're a great man, and 'tis ominous to die in your bed; a sign your children are like to inherit but weak brains: thou mayst go to heaven, but thy heir had rather thou shouldst make a journey to Erebus for the proverb's sake, "Happy is that son whose father goes to the devil."-Why, when comes out my don Invisible? may be he's here already, for we cannot see him. What says my squirrel? thou lookest dull and physical, methinks: the crowns will return again invisibly, never fear it. And how does my grave gymnosophist, whose ambition is to be registered an honest lord, though thou beest buried upon alms, carried to church with four torches, and have an inscription on thy marble worse than the ballad of the devil and the baker, and might be sung to as vile a tune too.-Gentlemen, I'll invite you shortly to see my head cut off; and do only intreat you would not laugh at me when I am dead; 'twill shew but poorly in you, and I shall revenge it with my ghost walking.

Fulv. Either he is very confident to atchieve his design, or, late grown desperate, he talks so wildly.

Grut. I do incline to believe that we are cheated.

Peren. With a trick that he has. Ha, ha, ha! Ambas. You were heretics in that point, till he did demonstrate. Ha, ha, ha!

Rol. I cannot contain my merry spleen. Ha, ha! Fulv. Come, my lord, let's leave them now, to be their own derision.

[Exeunt Ambassador and FULVIO.

Enter Guard, with MORELLO.

Dond. Signior Morello, ha, ha, ha! How came he in a petticoat?

Morel. Carry me away quickly; they will laugh me out of my little wit.'

Rol. No, no, do not, gentlemen; remember yourselves.

Grut. We wo'not then.

Dond. Signior Grutti, we are gull'd. Grut. I always thought he would cheat us. What shall's do to prevent more laughter?

Serv. I am resolved.-I shall get no more money by him. Gentlemen, he not head-hung, droop not; 'tis in this sconce 14 to revenge yourselves, and it may be recover your crowns too. Dond. How, pr'ythee?

Serv. My master

Dond. Is invisible; we know't too well. Serv. What will you give me if I discover him to your eyes again, nay, give him to your posses

Dond. This.

you.

Omnes. Ha, ha, ha! Dond. He does not mean to serve us so? thou dost but jest. Where is he invisible?

Serv. Here, I think, for I cannot see him; nor do I know when I shall, or where he will be visible again. Upon diligent search I found this paper, but my master is not to be found.

Fulv. Then he is invisible, indeed.
Rol. All but his hand. Ha, ha!

Grut. And this-oh, quickly.

[Give him money.

Serv. Then first know, my master is not that man you took him for; no Altomaro he, but Bonamico the decayed artist, he that made properties, and grew poor for want of pictures; who, for fear of his creditors, left his dwelling, and, in this quaint disguise, set up the trade of cozening such wise gentlemen as you are.

Grut. and Dond. Bonamico!
Serv. The same.

Dond Oh that we could reach him again!

Serv. Follow me close, and I will bring you within an hair's breadth of his false beard imme diately.

Grut. That will be excellent.
Dond. Nimbly, good Mercury, nimbly.

[Exeunt.

Enter EUGENIA, FIDELLA, MARDONA, DONELLA, KATHARINA, CASSIANA.

Fid. Madam, you are too passive; if you be dejected, what must we, whose hopes and blisses depend upon your fortune?

Don. Oh liberty, liberty! Are all the Roman spirits extinct? Never a Brutus in nature to deliver poor ladies from this captivity?

Cas. Since there is no probability of our enlargement, let's be merry, and despise our sufferings, laugh, tell tales, sing, dance, any thing to cozen our melancholy.

Eug. There are some thoughts, that stick upon my memory, I would fain discharge.

Kath. Shall we try our lutes, madam?
Eug. And voices, if you please.

Don. Yes, you may try they say music built the walls of Thebes; it were a greater miracle if you could charm these to fall. I shall never endure to live an anchorite thus; and, if it were not for the happiness that I do sometimes dream of a man, I should leap the battlement. Now would I give all my jewels for the sight of a pair of breeches, though there were nothing in 'em.

[Song. This but feeds our dullness. Shall we dance, madam, and stir ourselves?

Cas. I am for that music: we shall grow to the ground, an' we use no more activity.

Eug. With all my heart.

Don. None o' your dull measures; 15 there's no sport but in your country figaries; a nimble dance will heat, and make us merry.

[They dance; which done, a bell rings. Eug. Hark, the bell.

[Exit DONELLA, and enters again with a letter. Don. Some news from the Duke; A letter, madam, and these jewels.

Eug. Ha! whence-from Florence? [Reads. This is my father's practice; I'll peruse the pa[Exit. Don. I have an excellent hint, ladies, of a mirth Cannot but please the princess.

per.

Fid. What is't?

Enter DONDOLO and GRUTTI.

Dond. Now our invisible merchant is caged, we may redeem our opinion, and pass again in the rank of discreet courtiers.

Grut. I think now, to most of the beholders, he is invisible all but his head, for he has but a small grate to look out at.

Dond. He shall gull no more with his art, I warrant him.

Grut. Nay, he is like to lie by't; for I hear since, all his creditors, like so many crows, have light upon him, and they'll leave him but a thin carcase.

Dond. Let 'em pick out his eyes, what care we? Grut. He sent me an epistle to take pity on him. Dond. But, I hope, thou hast more wit than to shew thyself a Christian to such a rascal as he is.

Grut, I returned him my court-compliment, that I was sorry I could not serve him; I would do him any office that stretched not to mine own prejudice; that we had taken order with his keepers, upon payment of our sums disburst, he might be enlarged..

Dond. Which is impossible.

Enter BONAMICO brave.

Grut. Ha!

Dond. 'Tis he. Grut. Did he not die in prison; and his ghost haunts us, brave?-'Tis not be. Bonam. When this eternal substance1 of my soul Did live imprisoned in my wanton flesh, and so forth-And how d'ye like Don Audrea gentlemen? poor snake! but he has cast his skin, and recovered a new coat o'the Destinies' spinning. The bird is flown again.

Dond. How the devil came he at liberty?
Grut. And thus gallant?

Bonam. The slave does not beg of vour heroic sigmorships a court-compassion: debts must be paid: there is no danger of the grate, as the case goes, nor of forfeiting his day-light in a dungeon, if I mistake not, my illustrious pair of wigeons, my serene smooth-faced coxcombs, whose brains are curdled this hot weather. Will your neat worship sell your cloak, ha? or you that superfluous double-hatch'd rapier? there be sums in nature to lend you, upon security that I shall like of.

You sent a sum to free me.

Rol. Pr'ythee, friend, if thou'st received a benetit, go home, and say thy prayers;—I would forget it.

Bonum. 'Mong many whom your nobleness enlarged,

I came to make you tender of my service:
Despise not, sir, my gratitude.
Kol. D'ye mock me?

Bonum. May my soul want heaven's mercy then! to you,

Next my Creator, I do owe this my being;
I have a soul is full of thanks; but name
Employment to assure you, and you make me
twice happy.

Rol. I ha' nothing to say to you.
Bonam. Then I ha' something to say to you.
Rol. How?

Bonam. And you shall hear it too, and give me

thanks;

You've sowed your charity in a fruitful ground, Which shall return it tenfold, nay one hundred. What you have done for me, you shall acknow ledge

I will deserve to the height.

Rol. Th' art liberal in language.

Bonam. I'll be active---off with this sullen face, It scurvily becomes you, d'ye hear?

I studied for you since you paid my debts;
I'll do you a courtesy, and save your life,
Which your attempt upon the princess has
Left desperate; a happy fancy, sir,
If heaven will please to prosper it, and you
Not be your own enemy to refuse it.

Rol. Ha, ha, ha! what mean'st?

Bonam. Nay, you shall laugh, and heartily, ere I ha' done wi ye.

The Duke does love his daughter, sends her all Rarities are presented to him.

Rol. His soul's not dearer to him—what of

that?

Bonam. Why then you shall be admitted into the castle of comfort, that's all; the conceit is in my brain; and would you could as probably get her consent to untie her virgin-zone, as I dispose your access to her; it shall not cost you much. If I fail, instead of saying of my prayers, I'll curse the destinies, and die with you.

Rol. D'ye hear, I ha' bestowed three hundred crowns already to set your heels at liberty. If you do mock me, it shall cost me five hundred, but I'll ha' you clapped up again, where you shall howl all day at the grate for a meal at night from the basket. 17