University of Virginia Library

Act IV.

Scene 1.

Enter Adrastus, Albinus, Symphronio, and Mettle.
Adrast.
Could you perceive it wrought at all upon the slave?

Albin.
Rarely; the Rogues bones made musick in his skin.
I strongly do beleeve (if the slave be not quite given o're)
It will convert him.

Symph.
Hang him, flint hearted slave, hee's unrecoverably spent.

Mett.
Hee vanish't like our Divel, hee has
Quit his imployment upon it.

Albin.
I tell you, hee is converted.

Adrast.
Symphronio, prethee tell mee, Were it
Not strange Albinus should turn converter
Of the wicked?

Smph.
Strange as a frost in August.

Albin.
Yet you had hang'd your selfe, had I not wrought you meanes
To court your fair Letesia and what had then (think you)
Been of your soul become?

Symph.
Adrastus, What can you say to that?

Adrast.
I grant hee did a pretty handsome cure (indeed)
His Master-piece.

Albin.
Indeed, your Mistresses.

Adrast.
Time calls away to visit her.
Gallants, where shall I see you some two hours hence.

Symph.
Wee'l wait you at our Lodging.

Adrast.
Agreed.

Albin.
Adrastus, My service to the fair servant
Of your fairer Mistris.

Adrast.
Hangs your mouth that way?

Albin.
No, you mistake, all that I have stands
That way.

Adrast.
That may be doubtfull. Farwell.

Albin.
May all thy undertakings prosper,
To thy noble souls desire.—

Ex. Omnes.
Enter Letesia, Clarathea.
Letes.
Sure, wench, thou did'st mistake; Art sure hee promised to be here?
'Tis more then two of clock.

Clarath.
By none but Lovers clocks; I know it wants of two.—
Knocks at door.
Now, what say you? Am I mistaken?
Upon my life 'tis hee.
—Ex. Clarath.

Letes.
My modestie will not give mee leave to acquaint him
With what (more then the world besides) my heart desires.
You Gods, I hope hee'l move it first,
That wee escape together, for I shall never do it.

Enter Adrastus, Clarathea.
Adrast.
The joyes the Gods delight in most,
Still wait upon you, fair One.

Letes.
I should ungratefull bee, should I not wish you share in them.

Adrast.
Preserver of my life, so much have you engaged your creature,
It were a study too presumptuous for mortals to requite.

Letes.
If I have done you any, truly, I am glad. But—

Shee pauses.
Adrast.
But what, blest Saint?

Letes.
But I much fear, it will not lye within the
Compasse of my weak power to do you more.

Adrast.
Rob mee not of a joy, the hopes of
Hath transported mee.

Letes.
I am, by the express command of my father, charg'd into the
Countrey, and there to try how I can like a suiter of his choosing.
And one (hee is resolved) whether I like, or not, must be my husband.

Adrast.
'Tis an unjust resolve; (I do perceive, your Maid
Is no stranger to your counsels, Lady.)

Letes.
I should ill reward the service shee hath done mee,
Should I requite it with distrust.
There's nothing (I dare think) I dare not trust her with.

Adrast.
It is a noble performance, to be faithful,
And deserves high reward.
Now since you are pleas'd to acquaint your poor Creature
With what so neer concerns you,
I humbly shall request what you resolve to do in't.

Letes.
Sir, you urge to know what lies not in my power
To satisfie.
I gladly would be assisted (by some
Judicious friend) what I should do
In such a weighty businesse as this is.

Adrast.
Then 'tis no time to dally.
Do you love mee so, to make mee Master of your self?
A happinesse (by all the Gods) I would not change
For what (besides) this world affords—

Letes. pauses.
Clarath.
Pray Mistris speak—no—Sir, shee doe's.
Be confident (I know) shee doe's.
Is this a time to nourish bashfullnesse?
Sir, pray think what's to be done,
And for the rest,
Take poor Clarathea's word.

Letes.
Thou art not mad.

Clarath.
No, nor would have you so tame, to fool your self
Out of the joyes you aim at, next to heaven.
Pardon mee, Sir (I pray) if I appear too saucy.
'Twould make one mad to know as much as I.
And see how doubtfully shee would appear, in what
(I know) is in her heart confirm'd.
Sir, shee is yours. Will you confesse it Mistris?

Letes.
It is a truth, my breast (spight of resistance)
Will it self discover.

Adrast.
May I enjoy this blessing without envy from above?
No enamored God descending to forbid the banes.
takes her by the hand.
Religious fires, without passion kindled,
Temperately burn, and last to out-live the envious world,
Whose narrow breasts wee'l give leave to suspect,
Not comprehend our joyes.

—kisses her.
Clarath.
Why this is as it should be. Come fondlings,
Now wee shall have you as bad as t'other side.
Leave billing, and resolve what's to be done.

Adrast.
Thanks, good Clarathea, for thy remembrance;
For I had almost lost my self in joyes unspeakable.
My dear Letesia, (so I dare call the now)
Hast thou made choice of any course to steer in this
Same sea of trouble, mixt with joy?

Letes.
Truly, not any I; My shallow judgment is too weak
To comprehend what's to be done in things of this high nature.

Clarath.
Sir, That's your part to act.

Adrast.
Which I, with all respectfull care will labour to perform to our
Souls comfort. And to our great assistance, I have two noble Friends I dare
Call trustie, as thou thy best Clarathea.

Clarath.
Sir, be confident, that little life I have, shall willingly (in toil)
Be spent to see your joyes compleated.

Adrast.
It is beleeved, Clarathea, and it shall be my carefull study to finde
Out some noble way of requital. My Letesia, I now must leave thee
Till my next return, which shall be speedy, as our safety shall permit.
My trusty Friends (I must impart my secrets to) expect
My coming; whose help I must make use of in our speedy flight.
This kiss, and so wee part.
kisses her.
My person moves, with thee remaines my heart.
Farwell, thou faithfull servant.
Ex. Adrast.

Clarath.
The Gods protect you, Sir.

Letes.
Amen to that. Clarathea, thou hast plaid the wagg
Sufficiently to day, and yet I do forgive thee.
For, I confesse, I am glad 'tis out; I would not have it to do
Again, for half my fathers ill-got coyn.

Clarath.
And now you talk on't,
You should do well for to provide good store of it.
You know not what may happen.

Letes.
Happen what will or can, I'le not diminish one penny
Of his wealth, so many curses goes along with.
No Clarathea, he shall not say I rob'd him.
What money, and jewels of my own
I have, il'e carry with me, the rest let him enjoy.

Clarath:
I think I hear him Cough, come let's away.—

Ex: Om:
Ent: Adrastus, Albinus, Symphrenio.
Albin:
Did not I tell thee Adrastus, that her Maids messuage
was a prologue of confirmation to your late seald bliss.
Well the Gods give the joy, thou hast the mine of vertue,
her Maid's, a handsome scab, and well qualified.
I read it in her face.

Adrast:
Albinus: Thou dost not know the worth that's in
that Virgin thou talks't of, by all the Gods (setting
Letesia aside) I know not where to match her,
beleeve it, she is not what she seems to be, (I mean)
not born in so low a condition, but by some misfortune
fallen to it.

Symph:
I must confesse, her language, shape, and carriage
speaks her of better breeding, then her present state makes
known. But what course (Adrastus) do you intend to take,
you cannot hope to have her Fathers will to this.

Adrast:
Tis true; And therefore would advise with you, what's to be done
her Father being resolved (speedily) to send her out of Town.

Albin:
Let him do so, then seate her on the way, and bear her
to some place of safety, in which we'l both assist you
with our lives and fortunes.

Adrast:
Noble friends, I thank you. But that must not be the way,
for first, her Father will not send her with a lesse guard
then two, from whom, we cannot take her (with our security)
without we take their lives (which all the Gods forbid)
but they'le pursue us strictly.
No, no, I have contrived a way much safer.
You Albinus, (since you have pleased to proffer me
(so fairly) your assistance.) I shall request to visit
the old man in your accustomed disguise,
t'will cleer me from suspect. You shall enjoy
Symphronio here in Town; And fair Clarathea:
who I intend to leave, to give me constant notice
how her Master takes his Daughters flight,
as also which way his genious drives in search of her,
while fair Letesia, and I, steer to Geetrudenberghe,
where (by Mettle) you shall have timely notice what's further
to be done. How like you this contrivance?

Symph:
Why very well, as can be wish't.

Albin:
It stands for me, on goes my mouldy Cloaths again,
il'e once more be a brother. And when I know my part,
let me alone to act.

Adrast:
The next is, that you prepare all things in such a readinesse.
You may (in one hours warning) be fit to march to us.
For if the old mans fury will not be taken off,
il'e quickly over Sea.
And therefore I have chosen a Port Town to lye in.

Symph.
For that, let us alone. Come Gentlemen
(our business thus concluded) let's to the Tavern
where I long to hear, the resurrection
of our tost Brother.

Albin.
It will produce some mirth.

Adrast.
Come. Il'e make one for a single pint.—

Ex: om.
Enter Letesia, Clarathea.
Letes.
Clarathea, Me thinks, thou art more sad, then thou
wer't wont to be. Thou know'st, thou art partaker
of every thought my heart dares entertain.
And (I hope) you will not make me a stranger unto yours.

Clarath.
I must confesse (dear Mistris) you have. And that the usage
of your poore creture, hath been more like a sister
then a servant. And since it would unworthily appear
in me, to keep ought from you (that have so liberally
thrown your secrets in to my bosome) prepare to hear
a story, much like your own (although much more unhappy)
My Father—

She weeps.
Letesi.
Ney weep not good Clarathea: what ere thy story be
deliver it not in tears.

Clarath.
Pardon me (Dearist Mistress) if the remembrance
of my ill fortune, make me distill a tear, or two:
but I have done.
My Father (what ever I appear) a Gentleman well known
it'h East parts of this Countrey, had (by a vertuous Gentlewoman)
two Daughters, and a Son, which Death seaz'd on about the
Age of seven, Leaving my sister, and my self to enjoy
what (in those parts) was thought no mean Estate.
No sooner were we grown of yeers fit to be courted
but we had Suiters store. My Father, as he was wealthy
so he was neer enough, And aim'd to Match us to the ablest
Men for means amongst us; not much regarding how our
affections bended (the onely cause of this my present greif)
Not two mile distant from my fathers house, there lived
a vertuous Gentleman, had many children to bestow,
and little to give with them.
The eldest of his Sons loved me intirely well, and yet
(truly) no more (I think) then I loved him.
We, head strong in our affections, without consent of Parents
joyn'd (in sight of all the Gods) our hearts, not (lawfully)
to be divided, whilst my Father had resolved to Match me
otherwayes. And not doubting my consent, had promised me
to a rich misers Son, I had not seen bove twise (and that
I thought too much.) My Father prest a speedy consummation
of this Match, commanding me (with speed) for to prepare
to be his Bride. Now Dearest Mrs: (you that know what
love is) easily may guess, the affliction I groan'd under.
Seeing no other remedy, I plainly told him I could not marry him.
For that I had given my self away to one more worthy,
(a story full of strangenesse unto him) who betwixt doubt
of jest, and earnest, smild, but so, like watrish Sunshine
fore a rainy Day. At last, perceiving t'was a truth I speak,
fell to revile me with such language, my innocent thoughts
ner' understood. Making me Prisoner in his own House,
not suffering any to come neer me, but such as he appointed.
Corianus: (so was my unfortunate Lover cal'd) having
intelligence of my sad sufferings (for his sake) challenged him
into the Field. My Father, thirsty for his blood, with odds
of weapon (as by severall of my Fathers Servants I was inform'd)
kild him. For which (for a time) my Father fled, but what
with Friends, and mony soon wrought his pardon.
I, much ado to be kept alive.
At length recovering a little strength, in one of our Maids
habuits, changing Apfia (for that's my name) into Clarathea,
got hither, where t'was my happy fortune, in midst of miserie
to be by you received.

Letesi.
Beshrow thee Clarathea (for I must call thee so)
that thou no sooner mad'st thy story known, I should have
made a difference between thee, and a servant.
But shall hereafter, be proud to call Thee my companion.
Dispair not Clarathea, we may (yet) both be happy;
And be confident, Letesia, can be Mistresse of nothing,
but her Adrastus, but what Thou shalt command.

Clarathe.
Thanks Dearest Mistresse.

Letesia.
Prethe so bear to call me so, or thou wilt make me blush.

Clarath.
You have been Mistresse, Mother, Sister, all to me, which when
I forget to acknowledge, may I live to know more miserie
then I have yet undergon.
Some body knocks.

Clarathea opens the doore
Met.
Mrs: the faithfullest of your servants commends his—
Mettle enters, gives her a letter.
best of love, and this unto you.

Letesi.
I hope he do's injoy his health.

Met.
He makes no great enquiry after Doctors. Lady.—

Letesia reads.
Clarath.
May he live long without the need of any.

Mett.
Fair Maid, my Mr: lives your debtor for your well wishes.

Letesi.
What's thy name?

Mett.
My name is Mettle: your humblest servant Mistresse.

Letesi.
Here drink this. Remember me
gives him money.
kindly to your Master: tell him I should
(at his best leisure) be glad to see him.

Mett.
I shall fair Mistresse. I humbly thank your bounty.
Farewell fair Maid.
Ex: Mettle.

Letesi:
Clarathea, here is somewhat in this Letter
I fear me will displease thee.

Clarath;
That is impossible, if it may tend to do you service,—

Letesia reads Adrast. Letter.
Letesi:
Vertuous fair one, I have since my departure from thee
(with the assistance of my faithfull Friends) concluded
of our remove, which will be so sudden, that I must request
thee to prepare those necessaries you take with you,
to be in a readinesse at a minutes warning.
Remember me to thy faithfull Servant, who, I must request
to stay behind (some small time) to observe her Masters
actions. My noble Friends (I leave behind)
will upon the receit of a Letter from me, accompany her to Geetrudenberghe
where we shall stay their coming.
Fail not to burn this Letter.

Thine to Eternity,

Adrastus.

Clarath:
Not any, I am better acquainted with his temper,
(let him but hold his hands) then to be troubled, at what
his tongue can utter.

Letesi:
Come then my best Clarathea, for till it be thy will
to alter it, I still shall call thee so,
we must go pack up for our remove,
for tis to me unknown, how soon we shall be summond.

Clarath:
What you command, I ever shall with joy obey.—

Ex: Om:
Ent: Atheos: Rogastus.
Athe:
Rogastus, the orders from our Generall speak,
we must be carefull both by Sea, and Land, what strangers
we admit into our Garrison. Pray let it be your care
to see the word be given, that not an Officer of mine
may plead ignorance for his neglect.
Something there is in it that much concerns the State:
And as I guess, they fain would make a stop, of some
that would desert this Land, which we must look too.

Rogast:
Sir, can you guess what Persons they should be they aim at.

Athe:
Faith not, my Major will return this Night,
of whom I do expect some Letters of import.

Rogast:
Sir, tis strange to me, the sword being in our hands,
we should from time, to time be put of thus, and not receive
our pay.

Athe:
Tis true, but a little patience payes us. For know,
the time approaches neer for us to pay our selves,
(a frugall way our Masters have all had before us)
and now our turn comes next, there being a powerfull
At my raising to oppose us. The which, before we can
encounter, the Country we must drive, as what concerns
us most. And Rogastus, he's a fool, sence ruine we intend
that in the act, can't get enough to spend.

Rogast:
Tis happy news, I long to be at the sport.
How I shall laugh to see the Bacon eating churles
upon their knees for six pence in the hundred of their
own coyn which il'e in State deny them.

Athe:
Rogastus take order that your sentinels, bawl not for
relief, as they have us'd to do.
Your Corporals use no justice, in their relief,
but as affection guids them, which, let me but find out,
Il'e lay them neck, and heels.

Rogast:
Sir, it shall be my care to see it remedied.—

Ex: Om:
Ent. Gripe-man, and Clarathea.
Gripe:
Tell me when she went, and where she is,
or by my vexed soul, il'e rip thy heart out,
and find it there.

Clarath:
You may rip it out if you please, which when you have done,
t'will but confirm your error.
Pray Sir, Argue but reason, would is not ill become
your servant to examine you, where you go,
and what your business is abroad?

Gripe.
Why tell me, Thou Witch, could she conveigh her things
forth of the house without your knowledge?
Go, not a syllable of reply. Finde her me out
or i'le invent tortures unheard of for thee.

Clarath.
Sir, The Witch you threaten, cannot conjure
for your Daughter, I will assure you.
Ex: Clarath.

Gripe.
I am undone, betrayed, to my eternall ruine.
Where should this Whore be gon? some villain hath
intic't her. I'le find her hants out, if the expence
of my estate will do it.

Ent: Albinus disguised as formerly.
Albin.
Save you worthy Sir.

Gripe.
Not so worthy, as you conceive.
I am not worthy my own Childs keeping,
but I will turn the inside of this whole Land outward,
but I will finde her.

Albin.
Good Sir do, and all honest men shall thank you,
we then shall have it right again.

Gripe:
I tell you Sir, I have lost my Child, my only Child,
and I must find her out.

Albin.
If you find her out, she must be above one and thirty,
and then (I hope) she is past crying.
Sir you are not well, il'e visit you some other time.

Gripe:
I cry you mercy Sir, I am distracted, nor can you blame
me much. My Child, my Daughter, my only Child is gone.

Albin.
Pray Sir whither.

Gripe:
You do not mock me Sir.

Albin.
Not I can assure you.

Gripe.
Why then I tell you, she is gone (for ought I know)
to the Devill.—
Ent: Sent-well.
Sent-well: My joy, and
comfort's gone.

Sent.
Your torments then are coming.

Gripe.
You are a comforter for the Devill.—

Sent: starts back frighted, and looks behind him.
Sent.
Again, where, where, the Gods protect me;
where, what Devill.

Gripe.
Art thou Mad too.

Sent.
Yes, and tis you have made me so,
look back upon your sins; That Devill you talk
of els, will haunt you, as he hath done me.

Gripe.
Leave of thy idle talk, and send thy spirits abroad
to find out my Letesia.

Sent.
If she be lost find her your self, for so you shall
for me, know (if she be gone) tis a just plague
the Gods have layed upon you for your cursed life.
Ile be no more your Drudg, and instrument of
wickednesse, you have undone my soul, and body.
You now may list me down, amongst those wretched
souls, made miserable by your tyranny.
The Catalogue of which is infinite:
But ile unmasque you; And to the world
display such horrid truths, shall vex the Friends
of hell to see themselves (by you) out down in villanie.

Gripo.
I am amaz'd, the whole world's conspired against me.
This Villain is possest. O my brains, my brains.
Great Lucifer, I do conjure thee summon Boniface,
Mahomet, Copernicus, Matchiavil, Ecphanius,
and all thy Learned Polliticians in thy black Caos
to invent a torment (yet unheard of) to inflict
upon this slave. For 'tis resolved you dye.
This Councel set, your torments (then) grow nigh—
Exit Gripe.

Albin.
I fear, he is distracted past cure,
you touch't him to the quick.

Sent.
I speak but truth Sir: And I wish it may
do good on him, he hath long gone astray.—

Ex: Om.
Ent: Rogastus: Adrastus. Letesia, and Mettle.
Rogast.
Sir, you stir not a foot further without a Pass.

Adrast:
Which I could easily have procured, had I suspected
any strictnesse in your Garrison.

Rogast:
You must go back and get one, now you know it.

Adrast:
Sir, the favour will be great, please you to let me have
a Lodging in the Town, which I shall pay for. to their full
content. And for yovr cutesie, I shall study some
noble requitall, worthy your acceptance.
And that I press thus earnestly is in the behalf of this
young Gentlewoman unused to travell.

Rogast:
Pray be satisfied, we have no lodging, or if we had,
we keep none in our Garrison for Whores.

Adrast.
Thou foul mouth'd Villain, take
what thou deserv'st.—

Adrast: strikes him, they both draw. Rogast fals.
Letesi:
The Gods be mercifull, and guard my Love.

Rogast:
Villaine; Thou hast slain me.

Adrast:
Thou lys't, my sword did but it's office,
it was thy tongue that hurt thee.

—Ent. Souldiers.
1 Sould:
Kill the slave, has murdered
our Lieutenant.

2 Sould:
Hold, let's carry him to our Governor.
Bear the Lieutenant to his Quarter, make haste, and call our
Chirurgion, least he bleed to Death—
Ex: Sould. bearing of the Lieutenant.
Come Sir, you that dare kill our Officers in our
own Garrison, you, and your Minion,
must along with us.

Adrast.
Honest Souldiers, as you are men, procure in some good
House, a Lodging for this Gentlewoman, for which,
I liberally will reward you.
What I have done, my life shall answer.
Lay not uncivill hands on her, ner'e harbored evil thought.

1 Sould.
Trouble not your self. The Governor will provide
Lodging for you both, shall hold you
Letesia faints away.
Look to the Wench, she faints.

Adrast.
Angels protect thy Life, how it is sweetest.

2 Sould:
She comes again unto her selfe. Mistresse cheer up,
(poor Gentlewoman) heres none shall hurt you.

Letesi:
I can receive no harm, if he be well.

Adrast.
Why I am well (my Dear.)
Souldier, your Language speaks Christianitie.
Pray drink this, your reward is still behind—
Gives him mony.
if you'l assist this poor distressed Maid.

2 Sould.
Sir I thank you, but can do nothing till our Governor
hath dispos'd of you. Then if we can do you, or her
any service, you shall command us.—

Ex: Om:
Ent: Albinus. Sympronio.
Symph:
Was he so much inraged.

Albin:
By all the Gods, he will run mad, (I fear.)
And that same Rogve, that we posest, the Devill haunted so,
is so far from jealous that we did abuse him.
That he will ingage his soul (which now he doth intend
to Husband to his best advantage.)
The Devill really haunted him.

Symph.
Works it any good on the flint harted slave.

Albin:
The most reformed man alive; And preaches nothing
to Gripe-man: but he's damn'd. And that he
thunders in his ears, to the great terrour of his
guilty Conscience.

Symph:
How takes Gripe-man such language from his Mercury?

Albin:
Why faith, but scurvily; And conjures up the Devils
to invent unheard of torments to afflict him.

Symph:
What course (dos't think) he'l take to find his Daughter?

Albin:
I cannot guess, till he hath spent his fury.
I long to hear of Adrastus his safe arrivall with his Mistresse,
would one of us had gone along with him,
he was but weakly guarded, with his Man Mettle.

Symph:
It was his own desire.

Albin:
Tis true, his Letters, which I speedily expect,
will cleer our doubts.—

Ex: Am: