'Tis Pity She's a Whore/Act III Scene II

by John Ford (1586-c. 1639)

 

[SCENA SECUNDA. A room in Florio's house.]

 

Enter Florio, Giovanni, Soranzo, Annabella, Putana and Vasques.

 

 Florio. My Lord Soranzo, though I must confesseThe proffers that are made me have beene greatIn marriage of my daughter, yet the hopeOf your still rising honours have prevaild5Above all other joynctures: here shee is;She knowes my minde; speake for your selfe to her.And heare you, daughter, see you use him nobly.For any private speech I'le give you time.Come, sonne, and you the rest; let them alone;Agree^[1] as they may. 10 Soranzo.I thanke you, sir. Giovanni [aside to Anna]. Sister, be not all woeman; thinke on me. Soran. Vasques! Vasques.My lord. Soran.Attend me without.Exeunt omnes; manet Soran. & Anna.  Annabella. Sir, what's your will with me? Soran.Doe you not knowWhat I should tell you?^[2] Anna.Yes, you'le say you love mee.15 Soran. And I'le sweare it too; will you beleeve it Anna. 'Tis not^[3] poynt of faith.Enter Giovanni above. Soran.Have you not will to love? Anna. Not you. Soran.Whom then? Anna.That's as the fates inferre. Gio. [aside]. Of those I'me regient now. Soran.What meane you, sweete? Anna. To live and dye a maide. Soran.Oh, that's unfit.20 Gio. [aside]. Here's one can say that's but a womans noate. Soran. Did you but see my heart, then would you sweare—  Anna. That you were dead! Gio. [aside].That's true, or somewhat neere it. Soran. See you these true loves teares? Anna.No. Gio. [aside].Now shee winkes. Soran. They plead to you for grace. Anna.Yet nothing speake. Soran. Oh, grant my suite. Anna.What is 't?25 Soran.To let mee live— Anna. Take it. Soran.Still yours. Anna.That is not mine to give. Gio. [aside]. One such another word would kil his hopes. Soran. Mistres, to leave those fruitlesse strifes of wit,I know^[4] I have lov'd you long, and lov'd you truely:30Not hope of what you have, but what you are,Have^[5] drawne me on; then let mee not in vaineStill feele the rigour of your chast disdaine.I'me sicke, and sicke to th' heart. Anna.Helpe! aquavitae! Soran. What meane you? Anna.Why, I thought you had beene sicke.  Soran. Doe you mocke my love?35 Gio. [aside].There, sir, shee was too nimble. Soran. [aside]. 'Tis plaine; shee laughes at me.—These scornefull tauntsNeither become your modesty or yeares. Anna. You are no looking-glasse; or if you were,I'de dresse my language by you. Gio. [aside].I'me confirm'd.40 Anna. To put you out of doubt, my lord, mee-thinksYour common sence should make you understandThat if I lov'd you, or desir'd your love,Some way I should have given you better tast:But since you are a noble man, and one45I would not wish should spend his youth in hopes,Let mee advise you here^[6] to forbeare your suite,And thinke I wish you well, I tell you this.^[7] Soran. Is't you speake this? Anna.Yes, I my selfe; yet know,—Thus farre I give you comfort,—if mine eyes50Could have pickt out a man, amongst all thoseThat sue'd to mee, to make a husband of, You should have beene that man: let this suffice.Be noble in your secresie and wise. Gio. [aside]. Why, now I see shee loves me. Anna.One word more.55As ever vertue liv'd within your mind,As ever noble courses were your guide,As ever you would have me know you lov'd me,Let not my father know hereof by you:If I hereafter finde that I must marry,It shall be you or none.60 Soran.I take that promise. Anna. Oh, oh, my head! Soran. What's the matter? not well? Anna. Oh, I begin to sicken! Gio. [aside].Heaven forbid!Exit from above.  Soran. Helpe, helpe, within there, ho!65Looke to your daughter, Signior Florio.^[8][Re-]enter Florio, Giovanni, Putana. Flo. Hold her up; shee sounes. Gio. Sister, how d'ee? Anna.Sicke, brother, are you there? Flo. Convay her to her bed instantly, whil'stI send for a phisitian; quickly, I say.70 Putana. Alas, poore child!Exeunt; manet Soranzo.  [Re-]enter Vasques. Vas. My lord. Soran. Oh, Vasques, now I doubly am undoneBoth in my present and my future hopes:Shee plainely told me that shee could not love,75And thereupon soone sickned, and I fearHer life's in danger. Vas. [aside]. Byr lady, sir, and so is yours,if you knew all.—'Las, sir, I am sorry for that:may bee 'tis but the maides-sicknesse, an over-80fluxe of youth; and then, sir, there is no suchpresent remedy as present marriage. But hathshee given you an absolute deniall? Soran. She hath and she hath not; I'me full of griefe;But what she sayd I'le tell thee as we goe.Exeunt. 

1. 10 Agree. G-D inserts a second they after agree.
2. 13-14 Doe . . . tell you? Q prints as one line.
3. 16 'Tis not. G-D, 'Tis no.
4. 29 I know. G-D, omits I.
5. 31 Have. G-D, hath.
6. 46 here. G-D omits here.
7. 36-47 'Tis plaine . . . tell you this. Q prints as prose.
8. 65 Looke . . . Florio. Q gives this to Giovanni.