[59] Sir Robert Wiseman was the eldest son of Richard Wiseman, a merchant of London, who, having acquired an ample fortune, retired into Essex, in which county he possessed considerable estates, where he died in 1618, and was succeeded by Sir Robert. The friend of Massinger was the oldest of fourteen children, and a man of an amiable character. He died unmarried the 11th May, 1641, in his sixty-fifth year.--GILCHRIST. DRAMATIS PERSONÆ. COZIMO, _Duke of Florence_. GIOVANNI, _nephew to the duke_. SANAZARRO, _the duke's favourite_. CAROLO CHAROMONTE, GIOVANNI'_s tutor_. CONTARINO, _secretary to the duke_. ALPHONSO, } HIPPOLITO, } _counsellors of state_. HIERONIMO, } CALANDRINO, _a merry fellow, servant to_ GIOVANNI. BERNARDO, } CAPONI, } _servants to_ CHAROMONTE. PETRUCHIO, } _A Gentleman._ FIORINDA, _Duchess of Urbin_. LIDIA, _daughter to_ CHAROMONTE. CALAMINTA, _servant to_ FIORINDA. PETRONELLA, _a foolish servant to_ LIDIA. _Attendants, Servants, &c._ SCENE, partly in Florence, and partly at the residence of CHAROMONTE in the country. THE GREAT DUKE OF FLORENCE. ACT I. SCENE I. _The Country. A Room in_ CHAROMONTE'_s House_. _Enter_ CHAROMONTE _and_ CONTARINO. _Char._ You bring your welcome with you. _Cont._ Sir, I find it In every circumstance. _Char._ Again most welcome. Yet, give me leave to wish (and pray you excuse me, For I must use the freedom I was born with) The great duke's pleasure had commanded you To my poor house upon some other service; Not this you are design'd to: but his will Must be obey'd, howe'er it ravish from me The happy conversation of one As dear to me as the old Romans held Their household Lars, whom they believed had power To bless and guard their families. _Cont._ 'Tis received so On my part, signior; nor can the duke But promise to himself as much as may Be hoped for from a nephew. And 'twere weakness In any man to doubt, that Giovanni[60], Train'd up by your experience and care In all those arts peculiar and proper To future greatness, of necessity Must in his actions, being grown a man, Make good the princely education Which he derived from you.