Philip Massinger,
The Renegado

I.ii: A room in Donusa's palace . Donusa asks her servant Manto and an eunuch, Carazie, to tell her about the appearance of the captive Christian, Paulina. They remark that she is quite beautiful despite her tears. Mustapha, the basha of Aleppo, arrives with a letter from Amurath, Donusa's uncle. In the letter, Amurath describes Mustapha's admirable behavior, and expresses his wish that Donusa spend time with Mustapha in hopes that she will eventually wish to marry him.

I.iii: The bazar . Francisco assures Vitelli that he will be gone for no more than two hours and will return with news of how Paulina is faring. Vitelli joins Gazet in his shop just as Grimaldi enters with a Master, Boatswain, Sailors, and Turks. Grimaldi is joking around with his companions, remarking that they all need to get drunk and enjoy some whores. Vitelli restrains his anger, deciding this is not the time to confront Grimaldi. As they leave, Mustapha enters with a veiled Donusa who wishes to observe the Christians. Donusa is impressed by the poetic way in which Vitelli speaks and reveals herself as a noblewoman to gauge his reaction. Vitelli is stunned that she would do this, and begins to think that she may be useful to him in his plans to free his sister.

II.i: A room in Donusa's palace . Donusa implores the gods for strength to protect her virginity against the "shock of fierce temptations" that she has been experiencing since meeting Vitelli. Manto and Carazie assure her that they will help her in any way possible.

II.ii: A court in Donusa's palace . Aga, Capiaga and Janizaries are guarding the entrance to the palace. Vitelli arrives and merely speaks Donusa's name to gain entrance.

II.iii: An outer room in Donusa's palace . Manto and Carazie see Vitelli, who is disguised as a poor servant, and are unconvinced that he is the man Donusa spoke of, until he identifies himself.

II.iv: A Room of State in Donusa's palace . A table is set forth with jewels and bags upon it as Donusa enters and takes her seat, followed by Carazie. A song is sung during which Manto and Vitelli enter. Vitelli is left alone with Donusa as he stares in amazement at his surroundings. Vitelli is confused as to why Donusa, a Turk, would want to be in the company of a Christian. Unable to contain herself, Donusa explains the impure feelings she has developed for him and offers him the jewels and bags of coins laid out on the table if only he will stay. Vitelli is astonished as Donusa offers herself as yet another gift. She leaves heading for a private room, beckoning for Vitelli to follow.

II.v: A hall in Asambeg's house . Asambeg chastises Grimaldi for a lack of respect after all of the opportunities he has provided for him. Grimaldi is shocked that he would be treated this way after his service, especially in the kidnap of Paulina. Asambeg is outraged at this and sentences Grimaldi to death. Mustapha approaches Asambeg on behalf of Grimaldi proposing that his sentence was possibly too hasty. Asambeg dismisses Mustapha immediately. Left alone, he heads to the chamber in which Paulina is being held. Asambeg enters Paulina's chamber and is once again struck by her beauty and his love for her. Paulina expresses her derision for him while he speaks of his utter commitment to her. Asambeg isolates Paulina, saying that she will be freed when she consents to marry him.

II.vi: A street near Donusa's palace . Gazet and Francisco await the return of Vitelli when they see him being escorted from the palace by Manto and Carazie. They are curious why Vitelli is now adorned with jewels and money. Vitelli dismisses their worries, stating that the Turkish woman has not swayed him.

III.i: A room in Donusa's palace . As Donusa has lost her virginity to Vitelli, she inquires of Manto if this new fact can be "read in the face." Manto assures her that it cannot, which is a good thing since Mustapha is here to see Donusa. She addresses Mustapha with nothing but scorn and leaves before he has a chance to respond. Mustapha turns to Manto for an explanation asking if he has lost Donusa's favor to another. Manto confirms that he has. At this, Mustapha turns to her and asks if she will be his. Before she can answer, he leaves.

III.ii: A street . Gazet and Francisco are observing Grimaldi as he walks around in rags. The sentence, apparently, has been commuted, though that scene is not extant in the play. Grimaldi bemoans the way his life has turned. The Master and the Boatswain enter just as Grimaldi is leaving to head for the sea, intending to end his life. The Boatswain follows him in order to restrain him; Francisco decides to tend to Grimaldi so that he may "apply such cures/To his wounded conscience."

III.iii: A room in Asambeg's palace . Mustapha brings news that Donusa has had sex with a Christian and "a poor mechanic pedlar" at that. Asambeg is astounded at her blatant disregard for her faith and station. He vows to do something though he does not know yet what he will do.

III.iv: An outer room in Donusa's palace . Carazie is explaining his duties to Gazet. When Gazet hears that Carazie is sometimes expected to sleep beside his lady, Gazet implores Carazie to help him become a eunuch. They both leave, on their way to a surgeon.

III.v: An inner room in Donusa's palace . Vitelli has come again to see Donusa, but only to return her jewels and tell her they must never meet again, for she is a Turk and he a Christian. Asambeg and Mustapha enter above to listen to the exchange. As soon as Donusa speaks of her lost virginity to Vitelli, Asambeg orders the arrest of both Vitelli and Donusa, stating that their crime calls for death.

IV.i: A room in Grimaldi's house . The Master shares a story with Boatswain that explains why Grimaldi is so insistent that he will never be forgiven. It seems that, years before, he interrupted a holy ceremony by crushing a religious emblem on the pavement. This torments Grimaldi, and both Master and Boatswain hope Francisco will be able to cure Grimaldi.

Francisco visits Grimaldi in the disguise of a Bishop to offer forgiveness. Grimaldi accepts the forgiveness, professing that he will live a changed life, working only for the people whom he has wronged. Grimaldi and Francisco leave together and Francisco returns in his usual habit to gain updates concerning Vitelli from Gazet. Gazet relays the news that both Vitelli and Donusa have been arrested. He also recounts his close encounter with nearly becoming a eunuch before he was distracted by a "hurlyburly in the court."

IV.ii: A hall in Asambeg's palace . Asambeg has decided to release Paulina but with the entreaty that she still consider him for a husband and attend the trial of Donusa. She leaves and Mustapha enters with the perplexing news that the Christian is withstanding all of his tortures. Asambeg promises to think on this as Aga enters with a black box, which Asambeg intends to use in his sentencing of Donusa. Aga leaves but only to return with Donusa dressed in black, still being attended by Carazie and Manto. Paulina enters from above to watch the proceedings. Asambeg explains that the law states that any Turkish virgin "convicted of corporal looseness with any Christian" must loose her head. Donusa is outraged and states that she knows Asambeg has in his custody a Christian woman. Denying this claim, Asambeg declares that Donusa is to die. Vitelli, who is languishing in prison, concerns her. Wishing another chance, Donusa makes a deal with Asambeg that if she can convert Vitelli to a Turk, she will marry him, and if not, then she will die. Asambeg agrees.

IV.iii: A room in the prison . Francisco has bribed the Gaoler so that he may visit Vitelli who is in surprisingly good spirits. Aga enters to remove Vitelli's irons, telling him that he is to have visitors. Aga and Francisco leave as Donusa, Asambeg, Mustapha, and Paulina enter. Paulina recognizes her brother Vitelli immediately but says nothing, not wishing to interfere. Donusa implores Vitelli to cast off his religion that has treated him as a slave and marry her. Vitelli is convinced she is only asking this out of her fear to die and so refuses. He instead asks her why she fears a death that will lead the soul to heaven. Donusa is entranced and confirms herself in the Christian faith. Asambeg is appalled and sentences both to die the next day.

V.i: A room in the prison . Vitelli asks that Francisco cleanse Donusa of her sins before they die, so that she may reach heaven as pure.

V.ii: A street . Francisco approaches Grimaldi, Master, Boatswain, and Sailors in hopes of gaining their aid in an endeavor, not revealing what it is. They all agree to help and then leave as Paulina enters, followed by Carazie and Manto-who have been given to her by Asambeg to act as her slaves. She speaks with Francisco, explaining that her chastity was preserved by a miracle, most probably because of the talisman he gave her. Francisco explains that she must be patient and bear her captivity until they may help her brother.

V.iii: A hall in Asambeg's palace . Mustapha and Asambeg remark on the differing ways in which Grimaldi and Vitelli have taken to their punishments-Grimaldi sinking into madness, and Vitelli rising in his virtue. As they finish, Aga brings in Vitelli, Francisco and Gazet, followed by Donusa, Paulina, Carazie, and Manto. Vitelli asks that he may perform one ceremony in accordance with his religion. Asambeg allows this. All watch as Vitelli throws water on Donusa's forehead to cleanse her. Feining religious outrage, Paulina steps forward. She tells Asambeg that she will turn Turk and be his if he will forestall Donusa's death by twelve hours so that she may attempt to reason with her. Asambeg quickly complies, but asks what Paulina wants done with Vitelli. Paulina replies that she condemns him and does not care what his fate may be.

V.iv: A street . Grimaldi, Master, Boatswain, and Sailors bring news to Francisco that their ship is ready and waiting in the port.

V.v: A room in Asambeg's palace . Paulina explains to Donusa that she is only acting a part to forestall the death of both her and Vitelli. She further explains that Vitelli is her brother and "a gentleman/Of the best rank in Venice." Donusa is pleased to hear this, but worries over Vitelli's fate. She turns to Manto and reveals that she knows it was she who betrayed her to Mustapha. Attempting to prove her repentance and loyalty, Manto leaves to take some meat to Vitelli that contains "a cordial" to be used in the plan for escape.

V.vi: A room in the Black Tower . Manto delivers the meat to Vitelli, telling him to be especially careful with the middle part where he "shall find/Something that hath the operation to/Make death look lovely."

V.vii: An upper room in the Black Tower . Vitelli searches the meat to find a rolled up scroll with a note from Francisco. Vitelli is to "let down this packthread" at the window and find a ladder to climb down that will take him to his awaiting friends.

V.viii: A room in Asambeg's palace . Mustapha listens as Asambeg ponders over his great luck with Paulina when Aga rushes in with news. He states that they have all been betrayed. Grimaldi has just sailed away on their own ship with an escaped Donusa and Vitelli, being led by Paulina and the two servants, Carazie and Manto, along with all the "choicest jewels" of the palace. Asambeg admits defeat and expresses his wish to die alone in his own shame.

Mustapha, the basha of Aleppo, is in love with Donusa but she finds favour with Vitelli, a Christian. He convinces Manto to tell him of Donusa's activities with Vitelli, and reports his findings to Asambeg. He also aids in the arrest of Donusa and Vitelli; sits at their trial next to Asambeg; and acts as Asambeg's confidant throughout the play.

Vitelli, a Venetian gentleman disguised as a merchant, falls in love with Donusa and takes her virginity. He is in Tunis to rescue his kidnapped sister, Paulina, and to exact revenge on the kidnapper, Grimaldi, but is arrested after he beds Donusa. He is arrested and thrown in jail. Both he and Donusa stand trial, and he is offered freedom if he converts to paganism. Instead, he converts the Turkish Donusa to the Christian faith. In the end, he escapes with Donusa and his sister on Grimaldi's ship.

Francisco, a Jesuit, is the confessor of both Vitelli and Paulina. He acts as friend and physician to Grimaldi when the latter begins to go mad. He also plans the escape of Vitelli and Donusa.

Antonio Grimaldi, the Renegado, kidnaps Paulina and delivers her as a prisoner to Asambeg. He is exiled by Asambeg for his impertinence and begins to go mad. With the help of Francisco's medical arts, he does not commit suicide. In the end, he steals the ship that will take Paulina, Vitelli and Donusa to safety.

Carazie, an eunuch, is a servant to first Donusa and then Paulina. He almost helps Gazet to become a eunuch when the latter finds out that eunuchs get to sleep with the ladies they serve, and aids in the escape of Vitelli.

Gazet, servant to Vitelli, runs a little shop in the bazaar. He serves as a helper to Francisco and almost becomes a eunuch with the aid of Carazie. Gazet also delivers the news of Vitelli's and Donusa's arrests to Francisco before helping in the escape of Vitelli.

Aga, servant to Asambeg, aids in the arrests of Vitelli and Donusa. He serves as a prison guard for Vitelli and delivers the news at the end that Grimaldi, Paulina, Vitelli, and Donusa have escaped.

Donusa, niece to Amurath, falls in love with Vitelli, has sex with him, and is subsequently arrested for her actions. After she shuns Mustapha, she is betrayed by Manto who tells Mustapha of Donusa's recent deflowering. At her trial, she confirms herself as a Christian, denying her Turkish faith and outraging Asambeg. She is sentenced to death, but is allowed the chance to reconsider her decision with the help of Paulina. She ends up escaping with Paulina and Vitelli on Grimaldi's ship.

Paulina, sister to Vitelli, she is kidnapped by Grimaldi and delivered to Asambeg, who wishes to marry her. He releases her on the promise that she consider his offer. She is present at the trial of Donusa and Vitelli. At Donusa's conversion, she steps forward and claims she will become a Turk and marry Asambeg if only he allow her twelve hours to reason with Donusa. It is a trick and she helps Donusa and Vitelli escape.

Manto, servant to Donusa and then Paulina, she betrays Donusa to Mustapha. In order to redeem herself, she delivers the meat, which has a corded ladder in it, to Vitelli in prison so that he may escape. She leaves with the escapees on Grimaldi's ship.

Gaoler, keeps watch over Vitelli and allows both Francisco and Manto to see the prisoner.

Master and Boatswain, friends of Grimaldi, they save him from suicide and aid in the escape of Paulina, Vitelli and Donusa.

Capiaga, Janizaries, Sailors, Turks.