5 "queene, at White hall, and sundrie times with great "applause, at the private house in Salisbury-court, by "the Prince his servants. 1633." 4to. 3. "The Antiquary, a Comedy, acted by her Ma"jesties servants, at the Cockpit. 1641." 4to. He also published Cupid and Psiche; or an "epick poem of Cupid and his Mistress, as it was lately presented to the Prince Elector*." Prefixed to this are complimentary verses, by Richard Brome, Francis Tuckyr, Thomas Nabbes, and Thomas Heywood. Wood says, he left some things in MS. ready for the press, which were either lost or in obscure hands. * Published in 1638, in folio. O. G. DRAMATIS PERSONE. THE DUKE OF. PISA*. LEONARDO, two courtiers. DONATO, VETERANO, the Antiquary. GASPARO, a Magnifico of Pisa. LORENZO, an old gentleman. MOCINIGO, an old gentleman that would appear young. LIONEL, nephew to the Antiquary. PETRUCIO, a foolish gentleman, son to Gasparo. AURELIO, a young gentleman. AURELIA's father, in the disguise of a Bravo. HIS BOY. PETRO, the Antiquary's boy. EMILIA, wife to Lorenzo. LUCRETIA, daughter to Lorenzo. ANGELIA, sister to Lionel, in the disguise of a page. BACCHA,} two waiting-women. A COOK. Two SERVANTS. The Scene, Pisa. *The scene, however seems to be laid at Venice. The Rialto is mentioned in act first, and Venice is again spoken of in act third, as where the transactions of the play are carried on. S. P. THE ANTIQUARY*. ACT I. SCENE I. Enter LIONEL and PETRUCIO. Lionel. Now, sir, let me bid you welcome to your country, and the longing expectation of those friends, that have almost languish'd for the sight of you.-I must flatter him, and stroke him too, he will give no milk else. [Aside. Petrucio. I have calculated, by all the rules of reason and art, that I shall be a great man; for what singular quality concurs to perfection and advancement, that is defective in me? Take my feature and proportion; have they not a kind of sweetness and harmony, to attract the eyes of the beholders? the confirmation of which, many authentical judgments of ladies have seal'd and subscrib'd to. Lionel. How do you, sir? are you not well? Petrucio. Next, my behaviour and discourse, according to the court-garb, ceremonious enough, more promising than substantial, able to keep pace with the best hunting wit of them all: besides, nature has bless'd me with boldness sufficient, and fortune with means. What then should hinder me? nothing but destiny, villainous destiny, that chains virtue to darkness and obscurity. Well, I will insinuate myself Mr. Samuel Gale told Dr. Ducarrel, that this comedy was acted two nights in 1718, immediately after the revival of the Society of Antiquaries; and that therein had been introduced a ticket of a turnpike (then new) which was called a Tessera. N. into the court, and presence of the Duke; and if he have not the grace to distinguish of worth, his ignorance upon him. Lionel. What, in a muse, sir? Petrucio. Cannot a gentleman ruminate over his good parts, but you must be troubling of him? Lionel. Wise men and fools are alike ambitious: this travelling motion has been abroad in quest of strange fashions, where his spungy brain has suck'd the dregs of all the folly he could possibly meet with, and is indeed more ass than he went forth. Had I an interest in his disgrace, I'd rail at him, and perhaps beat him for it; but he is as strange to me, as to himself, therefore let him continue in his belov'd simplicity. [Aside. Petrucio. Next, when he shall be instructed of my worth, and eminent sufficiencies, he cannot dignify me with less employment than the dignity of an embassador. How bravely shall I behave myself in that service! and what an ornament unto my country may I arrive to be, and to my kindred! But I will play the gentleman, and neglect them; that's the first thing I'll study. Lionel. Shall I be bold to interrupt you, sir? Petrucio. Presently I'll be at leisure to talk with you: 'tis no small point in state policy, still to pretend only to be thought a man of action, and rather than want a colour, be busied with a man's own self. Lionel. Who does this ass speak to? surely to him motion] Motion is a puppet. In Ben Jonson's Every Man out of his Humour, A. 4. S. 5. Captain Pod, the celebrated owner of a puppet-show, and his motion, are mentioned. Beaumont and Fletcher's Rule a Wife and have a Wife, A. 2. "If he be that motion that you tell me of, "And make no more noise, I shall entertain him." The Queen of Corinth, by the same, A. 1. S. 3. Good friends, for half an hour remove your motion." Dekkar's Villanies discovered by lanthorne and candle-light, 1620, ch. 4. "This labour being taken, the master of the motion hearkens "where such a nobleman, &c. The motion is presented before "him." self: and 'tis impossible he should ever be wise, that has always such a foolish auditory. [Aside. Petrucio. Then, with what emulous courtship will they strive to entertain me in foreign parts! And what a spectacle of admiration shall I be made amongst those who have formerly known me! How dost thou like my carriage? Lionel. Most exquisite; believe me. Petrucio. But is it adorn'd with that even mixture of fluency and grace, as are required both in a statist and a courtier 5? Lionel. So far as the divine prospect of my understanding guides me, 'tis without parallel, most excellent; but I am no profess'd critic in the mystery. Petrucio. Well, thou hast Linceus' eyes for observation, or could'st ne'er have made such a cunning discovery of my practice; but will the ladies, think you, have that apprehension, to discern and approve of me? Lionel. Without question; they cannot be so dull or stony-hearted, as not to be infinitely taken with your worth. Why, in a while, you shall have them so enamour'd, that they'll watch every opportunity to purchase your acquaintance; then again revive it with often banquetting and visits; nay, and perhaps invite others, by their foolish example, to do the like; and some, that despair of so great happiness, will inquire out your haunts, and walk there two or three hours together, to get but a sight of you. Petrucio. Oh infinite! I am transported with the thought on't! It draws near noon, and I appointed certain gallants to meet me at the five-crown ordinary: after, we are to wait upon the like beauties you talk'd of, to the public theatre. I feel of late, a strong and 5 Both in a statist and a courtier] A statist, is a statesman. So in Ben Jonson's Cynthia's Revels, A. 2. S. 3. "Next is your statist's force, a serious, solemn, and supercilious face, full of formal and square gravity." The Magnetick Lady, by the same, A. 1. S. 7. |
