The Scene Malta.
The principal Actors were
- Rich. Burbadge,
- Nathan Field,
- John Underwood,
- Rich. Sharpe,
- Henry Condel,
- Robert Benfield,
- John Lowin,
- Thomas Holcome.
Actus Primus. Scæna Prima.
Enter Mountferrat.
Mount. DAres she dispise me thus? me that with spoil
And hazardous exploits, full sixteen years
Have led (as hand-maids) Fortune, Victory
Whom the Maltezi call my servitors?
Tempests I have subdued, and fought them calm,
Out-lighten'd lightning in my Chivalry;
Rid (tame as patience) billows that kick'd heaven,
Whistl'd enraged Boreas till his gusts
Were grown so gentle, that he seem'd to sigh,
Because he could not show the ayr my keel,
And yet I cannot conquer her bright eyes,
Which though they blaze both comfort, and invite
Neither by force, nor fraud pass through her ear
(Whose guard is only blushing Innocence)
To take the least possession of her heart,
Did I attempt her with a thred-bare name—unapt with meritorious actions,
She might with colour dis-allow my suit:
But by the honor of this Christian cross
(In blood of Infidels so often dy'd)
Which mine own Soul and Sword hath fixed here
And neither favor, nor births priviledge
Oriana shall confess, although she be
Valettas Sister our Grand-master here,
The wages of scorn'd Love is baneful hate,
And if I rule not her, I'le rule her fate.
Rocca, my trusty Servant, welcome.
Enter Rocca.
Roc. Sir,
I wish my news deserv'd it: hapless I
That being lov'd, and trusted fail to bring
The loving answer that you do expect.