University of Virginia Library

ACT II.

SCENE I.

The Queens appartments.
Asteria
, Sola.
Nothing thrives that I have plotted:
For I have sounded Philocles, and find
He is too constant to Candiope
Her too I have assaulted, but in vain,
Objecting want of quality in Philocles.
I'le to the Queen, and plainly tell her
She must make use of her Authority
To break the match.

SCENE. II.

Enter Celadon looking about him.
Cel.

Any of 'em that will do me the good turn to make me soundly
in love.

Ast.

Then I'le bespeak you one; you will be desp'rately in love
with Florimel: so soon as the Queen heard you were return'd she gave
you her for Mistriss.

Cel.

Thank her Majesty; but to confess the truth my fancy lies
partly another way.

Ast.

That's strange: Florimel vows you are already in love with her.

Cel.

She wrongs me horribly, if ever I saw or spoke with this
Florimel.

Ast.

Well, take your fortune, I must leave you.

[Exit Asteria.

SCENE, III.

Enter Florimel, sees him, and is running back.
Cel.

Nay 'faith I am got betwixt you and home, you are my pris'ner,
Lady bright, till you resolve me one question.

She signs.
She is dumb.
Pox; I think she's dumb: what a vengeance dost thou at Court, with
such a rare face, without a tongue to answer to a kind question.
Art thou dumb indeed, then, thou canst tell no tales,—goes to
kiss her.

Flor.

Hold, hold, you are not mad!

Cel.

Oh, my miss in a Masque! have you found your tongue?

Flor.

'Twas time, I think; what had become of me, if I had not?

Cel.

Methinks your lips had done as well.

Flor.

I, if my Masque had been over 'em, as it was when you met
me in the walks.

Cel.

Well; will you believe me another time? did not I say you
were infinitely handsome: they may talk of Florimel, if they will,
but i'faith she must come short of you.

Flor.

Have you seen her, then?

Cel.

I look'd a little that way, but I had soon enough of her, she
is not to be seen twice without a surfeit.

Flor.

However you are beholding to her, they say she loves you.

Cel.

By fate she shan'not love me: I have told her a piece of my
mind already: pox o'these coming women: they set a man to dinner
before he has an appetite.

[Flavia at the door.

Florimel you are call'd within.—

[Exit
Cel.

I hope in the Lord you are not Florimel;

Flor.

Ev'n she at your service; the same kind and coming Florimel
you have describ'd:

Cel.

Why then we are agreed already, I am as kind and coming
as you for the heart of you: I knew at first we two were good for nothing
but one another.

Flor.

But, without raillery, are you in Love?

Cel.

So horribly much, that contrary to my own Maxims, I think
in my conscience I could marry you.

Flor.

No, no, 'tis not come to that yet: but if you are really in
love you have done me the greatest pleasure in the world.

Cel.

That pleasure, and a better too I have in store for you.

Flor.

This Animal call'd a Lover I have long'd to see these two
years.

Cel.

Sure you walk'd with your mask on all the while, for if you
had been seen, you could not have been without your wish.

Flor.

I warrant you mean an ordinary whining Lover; but I must
have other proofs of love ere I believe it.

Cel.

You shall have the best that I can give you.

Flor.

I would have a Lover, that if need be, should hang himself,
drown himself, break his neck, or poyson himself for very despair: he
that will scruple this is an impudent fellow if he sayes he is in love.

Cel.

Pray, Madam, which of these four things would you
have your Lover do? for a man's but a man, he cannot hang, and
drown, and break his neck, and poyson himself, altogether.

Flor,

Well then, because you are but a beginner, and I would not
discourage you, any one of these shall serve your turn in a fair way.

Cel.

I am much deceiv'd in those eyes of yours, if a Treat, a Song,
and the Fiddles, be not a more acceptable proof of love to you, then
any of those Tragical ones you have mentioned.

Flor.

However you will grant it is but decent you should be pale, and
lean, and melancholick to shew you are in love: and that I shall require
of you when I see you next.

Cel.

When you see me next? why you do not make a Rabbet of
me, to be lean at 24 hours warning? in the mean while we burn daylight,
loose time and love.

Flor.

Would you marry me without consideration?

Cel.

To choose, by heaven, for they that think on't, twenty to
one would never do it, hang forecast; to make sure of one, good night
is as much in reason as a man should expect from this ill world.

Flor.

Methinks a few more years and discretion would do well: I
do not like this going to bed so early; it makes one so weary before
morning.

Cel.

That's much as your pillow is laid before you go to sleep.

Flor.

Shall I make a proposition to you? I will give you a whole
year of probation to love me in; to grow reserv'd, discreet, sober and
faithful, and to pay me all the services of a Lover.—

Cel.

And at the end of it you'll marry me?

Flor.

If neither of us alter our minds before.—

Cel.

By this light a necessary clause. but if I pay in all the foresaid
services before the day, you shall be obliged to take me sooner
into mercy.

Flor.

Provided if you prove unfaithful, then your time of a Twelve-month
to be prolong'd; so many services I will bate you so many
dayes or weeks; so many faults I will add to your 'Prentiship,
so much more: And of all this I onely to be Judg.

SCENE IV.

Enter Philocles and Lysimantes.
Lys.
Is the Queen this way, Madam?

Flor.
I'le see, so please your Highness: Follow me, Captive.

Cel.
March on Conquerour—

[She pulls him.
Lys.
You're sure her Majesty will not oppose it?

Exeunt Cel. Flor.
Phil.
Leave that to me my Lord.

Lys.
Then though perhaps my Sisters birth might challenge
An higher match,
I'le weigh your merits on the other side
To make the ballance even

Phil.
I go my Lord this minute.

Lys.
My best wishes wait on you.
[Exit Lysimantes.

SCENE V.

Enter the Queen and Asteria.
Qu.
Yonder he is; have I no other way?

Ast.
O Madam, you must stand this brunt:
Deny him now, and leave the rest to me:
I'le to Candiope's Mother,
And under the pretence of friendship, work
On her Ambition to put off a match
So mean as Philocles.

[Qu. to Phil.]
You may approach, Sir,
We two discourse no secrets.

Phil.
I come, Madam, to weary out your royal bounty.

Qu.
Some suit I warrant for your Cousin Celadon.
Leave his advancement to my care.

Phil.
Your goodness still prevents my wishes:—yet I have one request
Might it not pass almost for madness, and
Extream Ambition in me.—

Qu.
You know you have a favourable Judg,
It lies in you not to ask any thing
I cannot grant.

Phil.
Madam, perhaps you think me now too faulty:
But Love alone inspires me with ambition,
Though but to look on fair Candiope, were an excuse for both.

Qu.
Keep your Ambition, and let Love alone;
That I can cloy, but this I cannot cure.
I have some reasons (invincible to me) which must forbid
Your marriage with Candiope.

Phil.
I knew I was not worthy.

Qu.
Not for that, Philocles, you deserve all things,
And to show I think it, my Admiral I hear is dead
His vacant place (the best in all my Kingdom,)
I here confer on you.

Phil.
Rather take back all you have giv'n before,
Then not give this.
For believe, Madam, nothing is so near
My soul, as the possession of Candiope.

Qu.
Since that belief would be your disadvantage,
I will not entertain it.

Phil.
Why, Madam, can you be thus cruel to me?
To give me all things which I did not ask,
And yet deny that onely thing I beg:
And so beg that I find I cannot live
Without the hope of it.

Qu.
Hope greater things;
But hope not this. Haste to o'recome your love,
It is but putting a short liv'd passion to a violent death.

Phil.
I cannot live without Candiope.
But I can die without a murmure,
Having my doom pronounced from your fair mouth.

Qu.
If I am to pronounce it, live my Philocles,
But live without (I was about to say
Without his love, but that I cannot do)
aside.
Live Philocles without Candiope.

Phil.
Ah, Madam, could you give my doom so quickly
And knew it was irrevocable!
'Tis too apparent
You who alone love glory, and whose soul
Is loosned from your senses, cannot judg
What torments mine, of grosser mould, endures.

Qu.
I cannot suffer you
To give me praises which are not my own:
I love like you, and am yet much more wretched
Then you can think your self.

Phil.
Weak barrs they needs must be that fortune puts
'Twixt Soveraign Power, and all it can desire.
When Princes love, they call themselves unhappy,
Onely because the word sounds handsome in a Lovers mouth.
But you can cease to be so when you please
By making Lysimantes fortunate.

Qu.
Were he indeed the man, you had some reason;
But 'tis another, more without my power,
And yet a subject too.

Phil.
O, Madam, say not so,
It cannot be a Subject if not he.
It were to be injurious to your self
To make another choice.

Qu.
Yet Lysimantes, set by him I love,
Is more obscur'd then Stars too near the Sun;
He has a brightness of his own,
Not borrow'd of his Fathers, but born with him.

Phil.
Pardon me if, I say, who'ere he be,
He has practis'd some ill Acts upon you, Madam;
For he, whom you describe, I see is born
but from the lees o'th people.

Qu.
You offend me Philocles.
Whence had you leave to use those insolent terms
Of him I please to love: one I must tell you,
(Since foolishly I have gone on thus far)
Whom I esteem your equal,
And far superiour to Prince Lysimantes;
One who deserves to wear a Crown.—

Phil.
Whirlwinds bear me hence before I live
To that detested day.—That frown assures me
I have offended, by my over freedom;
But yet me thinks a heart so plain and honest
And zealous of your glory, might hope your pardon for it.

Qu.
I give it you; but
When you know him better
You'l alter your opinion; he's no ill friend of yours.

Phil.
I well perceive
He has supplanted me in your esteem;
But that's the least of ills this fatal wretch
Has practis'd.—Think, for Heavens sake, Madam, think
If you have drunk no Phylter.

Qu.
Yes he has given me a Phylter;—
But I have drunk it onely from his eyes.

Phil.
Hot Irons thank 'em for't.—

Qu.
What's that you mutter?
(Softly or turning from her.
Hence from my sight: I know not whether
I ever shall endure to see you more.

Phil.
—But hear me, Madam:

Qu.
I say be gone.—See me no more this day.—
I will not hear one word in your excuse:
Now, Sir, be rude again; And give Laws to your Queen.
Exit Philocles bowing.
Asteria, come hither.
Was ever boldness like to this of Philocles?
Help me to reproach him; for I resolve
Henceforth no more to love him.

Ast.
Truth is, I wondred at your patience, Madam:
Did you not mark his words, his meen, his action,
How full of haughtiness, how small respect?

Qu.
And he to use me thus, he whom I favour'd,
Nay more, he whom I lov'd?

Ast.
A man, me thinks, of vulgar parts and presence!

Qu.
Or allow him something handsome, valiant, or so—
Yet this to me!—

Ast.
The workmanship of inconsiderate favour,
The Creature of rash love; one of those Meteors
Which Monarchs raise from earth,
And people wondring how they came so high,
Fear, from their influence, Plagues, and Wars, and Famine.

Qu.
Ha!

Ast.
One whom instead of banishing a day,
You should have plum'd of all his borrow'd honours:
And let him see what abject things they are
Whom Princes often love without desert.

Qu.
What has my Philocles deserv'd from thee
That thou shouldst use him thus?
Were he the basest of Mankind thou could'st not
Have given him ruder language.

Ast.
Did not your Majesty command me,
Did not your self begin?

Qu.
I grant I did, but I have right to do it;
I love him, and may rail;—in you 'tis malice;
Malice in the most high degree; for never man
Was more deserving then my Philocles.
Or, do you love him, ha! and plead that title?
Confess, and I'le forgive you.—
For none can look on him but needs must love.

Ast.
I love him, Madam! I beseech your Majesty
Have better thoughts of me.

Qu.
Dost thou not love him then!
Good Heav'n, how stupid and how dull is she!
How most invincibly insensible!
No woman does deserve to live
That loves not Philocles.—

Ast.
Dear madam, recollect your self; alas
How much distracted are your thoughts, and how
Dis-jointed all your words;—
The Sybills leaves more orderly were laid.
Where is that harmony of mind, that prudence
Which guided all you did! that sense of glory
Which rais'd you, high above the rest of Kings
As Kings are o're the level of mankind!

Qu.
Gone, gone Asteria, all is gone,
Or lost within me far from any use.
Sometimes I struggle like the Sun in Clouds,
But straight I am o'ercast.—

Ast.
I grieve to see it.—

Qu.
Then thou hast yet the goodness
To pardon what I said.—
Alas, I use my self much worse then thee.
Love rages in great souls,—
For there his pow'r most opposition finds;
High trees are shook, because they dare the winds.

[Exeunt.