HERCULES, _Duke of Ferrara, disguised as_ FAUNUS. GONZAGO, _Duke of Urbin, a weak lord of a self-admiring wisdom_. TIBERIO, _son to_ HERCULES. GRANUFFO, _a silent lord_. Don ZUCCONE, _a causelessly jealous lord_. Sir AMOROSO DEBILE-DOSSO, _a sickly knight_. HEROD FRAPPATORE, _brother to_ Sir AMOROSO_._ NYMPHADORO, _a young courtier and a common lover_. DONDOLO, _a bald fool_. RENALDO, _brother to_ HERCULES. DULCIMEL, _daughter to_ GONZAGO. PHILOCALIA, _an honourable learned lady, companion to the Princess_ DULCIMEL. Donna ZOYA, _a virtuous, fair, witty lady, wife to_ Don ZUCCONE. Donna GARBETZA, _wife to_ Sir AMOROSO. POVEIA, } DONNETTA, } _two ladies, attendants on_ DULCIMEL. PUTTOTTA, _a poor laundress of the court that washeth and diets footmen_. Pages. SCENE--URBIN. THE FAWN. ACT I.[124] SCENE I. _Neighbourhood of Urbin._ _Enter_ HERCULES[125] _and_ RENALDO. _Herc._ See, yonder's Urbin! Those far-appearing spires rise from the city. You shall conduct me no further: return to Ferrara: my dukedom, by your care in my absence, shall rest constantly united, and most religiously loyal. _Ren._ My prince and brother, let my blood and love Challenge the freedom of one question. _Herc._ You have't. _Ren._ Why, in your steadier age, in strength of life And firmest wit of time, will you break forth 10 Those stricter limits of regardful state (Which with severe distinction you still kept), And now to unknown dangers you'll give up Yourself, Ferrara's duke, and in yourself The state and us? O, my loved brother! Honour avoids not only just defame, But flies all means that may ill voice his name. 17 _Herc._ Busy yourself with no fears, for I shall rest most wary of our safety; only some glimpses I will give you for your satisfaction why I leave Ferrara. I have vowed to visit the court of Urbin in some disguise, as thus: my son, as you can well witness with me, could I never persuade to marriage, although myself was then an ever-resolved widower, and tho' I proposed to him this very lady, to whom he is gone in my right to negotiate; now, how[126] cooler blood will behave itself in this business, would I have an only testimony; other contents shall I give myself, as not to take love by attorney, or make my election out of tongues; other sufficings there are which my regard would fain make sound to me: something of much you know; that, and what else you must not know, bids you excuse this kind of my departure. 33 _Ren._ I commend all to your wisdom, and yours to the Wisest.