 | The Prisoners |  |
Scena Secunda.
Enter Eucratia, Lucanthe, Dion, Gallippus, Cremnofield, Zenon.Lu.
Noble Gallippus thus to venture your selfe
And fortunes in our hazard is an obligation
We know not how to pay; for the preparation
You speake of, brings our certaine ruine, if
Gal.
Pray Madam from whence springs his anger?
Eu.
Tis just: you know the cause of this warre, our
Country blest beyond our neighbours, with a
Fruitfull peace, drew us into a consideration
How we became to be so happy, and
In the search, we found ambition
Had no dwelling here: For our customes
Admit no one man chiefe which kept all from
That sinne. For our government is here in
The hands of a Priest and Iudge, which are
Chosen by lot, not faction, and their power
During Life if they obey our lawes. One
Of which has begot this danger, for when
Our predecessors made their vow to peace;
A law was then enacted to prohibit
Our taking armes, but in our owne defence.
Lucan.
This law the King credits not, for when we
Return'd it as the reason that forbad us,
Yeelding the ayde he then implored, he
Sayes we urged it but to hide our trecherie.
And concludes we assisted his enemy,
Because we refus'd him ayde; and now
Having labour'd through that storme, his rage
Bends this way.
Dion.
And at a time when we
Have neither Armes nor councell to defend us,
Now Madam the punishments your fathers have
Cald downe pursue us, their counsell and your
Brothers swords, were aides which we shall finde best,
When to our despaires we feele the want.
Crem.
Yet let us not quit our selves, when we must
Fall, the deerer we sell our lives the greater
Fame will waite us, nor have our men forgot
To fight, though we left to invade.
Gall.
Spoke like a Souldier!
Crem.
Tis no regular fortification; twill stay a leape.
Gall.
Madam, I beseech you remove your feares,
They are ill Omens, here speake courage,
You know not what miracles we may act.
The night comes on a pace, pray retire to
Your rest while Cremnofield, Dion, and my selfe
Goe set the watch and provide for the receite
Of these strangers that come thus rudely
Without inviting.
Eucr.
Wee'le goe and joyne our strength of prayer
With your armes which I hope will protect us.
They faile to conquer them.
Exit.
Gall.
Ile but order my Gallies to joyne with yours,
And be ready ith'Harbour to board them
As they come straggling in, then Ile meete you
Vpon the guard.
Dion.
Eucratia is the word to night, farewell.
Exit all but Gall.
Gall.
Farewell shallow fooles, thinke ye Gallippus
Will sell his blood for aiery honour, no,
Tis revenge or the satisfying some other
Lust ingages me. Therefore Ile to my Gally,
And while this darke protect us, command
Zenon to launch from the harbour. And in
A little Creeke lye loose and undiscover'd
With his Gally; tis wisdome to secure
A Retreate nor will I againe put my
Happinesse in the power of slaves whose trechery,
Wrack'd my soule and depriv'd me of the pleasures
I had promis'd to my selfe, in faire Cecillia.
But these have removed that paine, for he
That like me loves beauty, where ere he meetes
It, sowes his love and when he enjoyes it
Reapes his interest.
Exit.
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