University of Virginia Library

Actus Secundi

Scena 1a:

Achæa. Ariste. Lady
Ach.
Ariste I am Desperatlie sick.

Aris.
One of your Old ffitts, Madam!

Ach.
I. I. I.
Such Pangs I am not able to Endure,
A Woman bigg with Child, I am perswaded,
Could not feele greater Torments

Aris.
By My ffaith, Madam,
Your Doctour thinkes you are.

Ach.
Now fy upon thee, Wench
With Child?

Aris.
By My Troth, hee told mee Seriously

Ach.
The Gods forbidd;
And neuer knew Man! Had I gone Astray
I should haue fear'd as Much; But prithee mock not;
Hee's a Wise Doctour.

Lad.

I protest, Madam, I had neuer soe much adoe
in my yong Dayes, as to preserue my Maydenhead
from Dreames and Goblins. They are Dangerous Things
Madam

Ach.
Noe noe I haue some Tympanie, I doubt,
See how I'm swell'd, On Ayre!

La.
you hurt your Selfe
With Lacing you soe streat.

Ach.
Alas they'd say else
I were with Child indeed—Soe I am pritty well now.

La.
My Lord Florimond anon will worke
A perfect Cure upon you.

Ach.
Noe, noe; Well thought on;
When hee Comes (as't will not be Long too), Pray'ee
Say I am priuate; and will not be Seene.

Aris.
This is most Strang! why tis your Wedding Day.

Ach.
It should haue beene indeed, but Cupid hath
Forbidd those Bands. My Heart's asham'd; but I
Am not within—

Lad.
O wondrous wondrous strang!
If this be true I would I were a Man
ffor Women are most Vile, and faithlesse Creatu[«*»]res

Aris.

Things are not Right. My Heart would faine
feare some thing.

Scena 2a.

Florimond. Ariste. Lady.
Flor.
A good Day to you Ladyes! wher's ye Queene?

Aris.
Priuate, & would not haue you trouble her.

Flor.
Come, Come, unlock ye Dore yt I may Catch her
Mongst all her Blushes.

Lad.
My Lo. you must not Enter.

Flor.
Away, away. foole not thus.

Aris.
By my Life
you must not. I Speake Truth. shee has Commanded
Not to Admitt you.

Flor.
'Tis imposible;
Hymen will Rage at this.

Aris.
Let him be pleas'd
Agen; Wee Cannot helpe it

Flor.
O you gods,
If you entend to foole mee, tell mee soe;
I doe beleiue your Powers; That you Can raise
A Storme on Amphitrite's Smiling Browe,
Blast Beauty wt h a Frowne; Or fill the World
With Blood and Horrour, Ty the Poles together,
O Chaine up Boreas in A Ladyes Hayr«*»e,
All this I doe Belieue, but her Chast ffaith
Is something Like your Selues, inviolable;
Meethinkes this should not be. O here shee Comes!
I knew it Could not be. Her Eyes shoot Loue
As they were wont, and Carry Hymens Torches.
Achæa Beckens ye Ladyes to depart. Exeunt. shee weepeth.
O Madam you still number in my Ioyes
When unexpected; I was almost frighted
To heare ye Ladyes talke.

Scena 3a.

Achæa.
Florimond
Where's the Priest?

Flor.
Madam hee waites without.

Ach.
Yet for all this Priuacy
Thy Politique ffather will know at Last,
And hee'l bee Angrie

Flor.
What Subject dares be Angrie
When tis Once done?

Ach.
But thou must Sweare to grant mee
A ffew things first.

Flor.
Alas what Call I mine
That is not youres Allreadie? May I grow here,
And shoot a Poys'nous Weed into the Ayre
If I denie you any Thing

Ach.
Sweare then
Neuer to see mee More.

Flor.
How Madam?

Ach.
Neuer
To See mee More

Flo.
O Spare these Bitter Iests,
You Cannot Meane this?

Y Ach.
Yes from my Soule Command it.

Flor.
If these unhappy Eyes (that neuer joyd
In Anie thing but you) grow Odious to you,
I will reserue 'em for noe Use but Teares,
But sooner may you make ye flowing Sea
Fast to the Shore, and neuer more Returne.
Into the Hidden Bowells of himselfe
Then mee Sweare this. Alas let mee not Loose
The Sight of all my Ioyes, although I be
Unworthy To possess 'em. y'are my Queen,
And I will Lay my life Downe at yor feet
To do you ease; but you Command a Thing
Wilde horses, & Enraged Elephant's
Can neuer draw mee too.

Ach.
you must Florimond,
And forget mee for Euer

Flo.
Now y'are Cruell;
you wound mee deeper then the Hand of Death;
Forget you! why this forlorne Soule of myne
(That hath noe Comfort left upon the Earth)
Yet hopes (when shee were hurried to the Uale
Whence neuer foot return'd) shee might haue Leaue
Among the shadowes of forsaken Louers,
To Meditate on you. Not see you hence?
Nor thinke on you hence forth? O Madam Madam
your Heart is not soe hard as you would make it

Ach.
I greiue for thee, for thou wert euer faithfull.
But thou must kill thy interest

Flor.
you weepe!

Ach.
O Florimond the Gods haue been unjust; [***]
shee Pauses a pretty while, & then goes on./
I am with Child and know not how

Flor.
What sayd you?

Ach.
My Doctor told our «*******» soe, but mee thinkes
It should not be though I haue heard in deed
The Gods haue done to Women soe, but ye Babe
That hangs upon the Tender mothers Brest
Is not more free from any Act of man
Then I am. you Bless't Powers I know I Ly not
Confront mee else with thunder.

Flor.
Is this all
That you refuse mee for? O how I tremble!
Madam you doe mistake yor Florimond
For were your faults as many as my feares,
And Blacker then Obliuion yet you would
Appeare a Starre to Mee. With Child! Alas
A little ffault in Woman; And soe Deare
You are to mee that I will putt my life
Betwixt you and yor Infamie. I'l Call
The Priest and take you to my Bed and Bosome;
I'le make him say hee Married us long since,
And saue yor Honor; This I will doe for you.

Ach.
That euer Man should Loue a Woman soe
As thou dost mee!
[Beleife Can ne're take hold]
[of Such a Vow as this.]

[Flor.
Why should you thinke soe?]

[Ach.]
[Why? What is hee yt weares but Man's Bare Name]
[And stoopes soe Lowe? It is impossible]
[That thou which art Reputed in the World,]
[The Court of Honour, should becom soe Base]
[To ffather such a shame; Or if thou should'st,]
[How should I rest Secure from thy wild ffurie]
[When it once Saw agen (as it cannot]
[Sleepe alwayes to thee?)]

[Flor.]
[Perhaps I should be Loath]
[If it were strang; But 'tis noe new thing. This,]
[And hee that Liues below what I haue Promis'd]
[May Smoke and glimpes, but neuer take true fflame,]
[Into his Bosom.]

[Ach.]
[How I Pitty thee!]
[I know thy Heart—]

But yet for all this Zeale
There is a Thing thou wilt not do for mee

Flo.
Name it; for you haue Layd such burdens on mee
I cannot feare a worse.

Ach.
Thou wilt not doo't.

Flor.
I sweare I will although it ruine mee.
Why should you Coyne these Doubts?

Ach.
Then I Adjure thee
By all the Tyes of Loyalty and Oathes
To goe to Calidor, & Woe him for mee;
Use all the Power thou hast to make him Loue mee
Or tell him that I dye. I Loue him, Florimond,
And prithee faile mee not

Flor.
Whores Pandars Villaines
Sinke to my Heart and Drowne my Loyalty
That I may kill this Monster. O O you gods,
Can you heare this and all be Dumbe? then Treason
And Murther's nothing

Ach.
Hold. thou darst not Strike

Flings away his Sword.
Flor.
Away fond Weapan; Goe and serue some hand
Henceforward that Dare use thee, Shees my Prince
And they may say their Pleasure, While wee weare
Theyr Injuries as ffauoures. ffoolish Teares
Would you Could wash your «***»y foule rash Oath away;
Madam you'ld not Exact it sure?

Ach.
I must.

Flor.
I will not doo't.

Ach.
Be Perjurd Then.

Flor.
The Sweet Delights of Women who can tell?
And who theyr Poysons? I must Pandar turne
To please my Ruine; But alas Iue Sworne
And must goe thorough. Madam neuer Wrong
Was like to Mine. you haue made mee a Quicksand
To Drowne the noblest Vessell fraught with Honor
That ere the Sunne saw miserable. May noe Part
Of our Wrongs follow you. But hee that trusts
A Womans Lookes may write upon the Sand
And as well find It twenty Winters hence:
Falsehood and you are Twinnes; when you doe Good
Humour, not Uertue rules you; your false Teares
Are Poyson that will eate an Iron heart;
Winds are not More inconstant; And the Sea
Ebbes and flowes not more often then your Loues;
Cruelty is your Handmayd; and the Bewty
The Gods bestow, you make yor Slaughter-Man.
O happy is that Man that neuer kiss't
Your Boxe of Poysons, nor beheld ye Netts
You Strew upon your face when you Deceiue!
Spiders expresse you best, and Crocodiles;
The holyest of you are but handsom Sinnes
And Men in Charity Doe Call you Women

Ach.
you take much Liberty against our Sex,
But will you doe my Will?

Flor.
Madam your Pardon.
I would I were more Wise, or had lesse Cause
To talke soe out of Order: But when Calidor
Shall Come to know the Wrong wee offer him
What wonder is it if hee take Reuenge
And fling him on our Heads

Ach.
I warrant him.

Flor.
I should say something.—but my Heart is full;
I will goe power it in some Desert Place
Where man may neuer See mee. As much Ioy
As you did promise mee I wish unto you;
Peace rest upon your Wombe; If in the Height
Of your Delights you happ to thinke of mee
Say fflorimond was faithfull. Soe farewell;
And if I dye ere Night bestow a Teare
If you Can Spare it, On mee; Tis not Much,
The Gods will thanke you for it.

Ach.
Mighty Loue
Pardon thy Owne Injustice; I shall grow
My Sexes Miracle; But giue mee him,
My Calidor! though with him I liue wretched,
Or else prouide a Solitary Graue
To hide mee with this Pledge of Heauens Wrath
Meaning her infant in her Belly:
I had forgott to Swear him Secrrsy.

Scena 4a.

Achæa.
Natolion.
But hee is faithfull.
O Natolion,
Th'art Come to Chide mee ore agen to Day
About my Florimond?

Nat.
I would your Mat i e:
Would be perswaded. 'Tis not I, but yor
Owne Mother's Precept to you then when shee
Had but three Words to Speake) to shun his Loue;
Shee Layd a Curse upon you if you, marryed him.

Ach.
Thou art ye Worst of ffathers I e're heard of;
I haue at Last Ore-Come my selfe, and will
Prouide for him another Way. I'ue found
A Man aboue him in the Gods Esteeme,
Calidor, Louely Calidor

Nat.
Calidor!

Ach.
Is that a wonder to thee? At what starts you?
Can Any snake lurke in that Sweet, Sweet Name?

Nat.
For heauen sake be a Queen once. Calidor!
You are not Serious Madam?

Ach.
Why is hee not
One molded for a Kingdom?

Nat.
This is fine!
A ffellow Cast ashore the Other Day
And newly made a Lord for this intent!

Ach.
Who Wedds to kingdoms Honor or Estate
And knowes noe Loue, tyes but herselfe unto
A Glorious Pouertie. I am yor Queene
And will ask Leaue of none but my Affection

Nat.
Princes must looke into their Kingdoms weale
As well as their Affections, in theyr Choyce

Ach.
By yor good will I must haue nobody.

Nat.
Worse and worse! wt sudden rubbs doe jostle
A Uertuous Purpose? Honesty may begg
To gett Employment, and mee Baffalld int.
O you unsearchable Decrees of Fate
Prostitute not your Fauours to Such Ends
As do Destroy your Owne Diuinity!
Here Comes my New Lord whom I now must Sift;
Saue you my Lord.

Scena 5a.

Calidor. Natolion
Calidor in a new gallant Suite/
Cal.
My Lord I thanke you as I haue don the Queene
and some twelue Ladyes more besides the Secretary; I
would the rest of th'Lords were here yt I might—
thanke 'em Altogether, I am weary oth'Title, & feare this
Preferment may make mee forgett my Name.

Nat.
My Lord I hope you do not
Slight the Queenes ffauours

Cal.
O my Lord, I trust
Your Profess't ffauours Cannot Slide into
Such a Misunderstanding; I receiue
This Honour from her Majestie as I would
An Angell to my Bosom; yet I could wish
Fortune had mockt mee Lesse

Nat.
your Worth, my Lord
Deserues the Titles, and th'Additament
Of meanes Cannot be Wanting after them.

Cal.
Yet I am but an Upstart all the While,
It is the Fauourit's Hell: That when wee Are
Pufft up by Fortune till wee almost Burst
Wee are but Enuies ffoot-Balls at ye Best,
And soe are usd. Giue mee the humble Life
That Makes men Saynts, Teaching Felicity
How to be Constant, and ye World a Way
To becom yong agen, Such as the Gods
Created it at first.

Nat.
You are
The veriest Villaine, or the Brauest fellow
That is within my Knowledge

Cal.
How Comes this?

Nat.
My Reason's
Drawne from your Cariage (wc h I must Confesse
Is bold and genuine) and betrayes yt in you
Which you would hide: More then a Common straine;
And if your Aymes be Like it, I beleiue
They are most noble; But if you (to Cloake
Some Plott, as to Explore, or fish the State)
Haue tane this Garbe upon you (for you are not
The Man you Passe for) you abuse ye Kingdom,
And must not Looke to Lull us all asleepe.
Y'haue told mee a Long Storie of Sardinia
Which makes mee to Suspect you; And I heare
You Weare a Priuie Coate.

Cal.
I Weare a Priuie Coat! Come come, my Lord,
This is not noble in you; Let mee not
Be made the Worke of Each informing Rogue
That preyes on the Dishonour of the State.
See here! I'm not asham'd of this poore Brest,
Nor of the Heart it Carries, wc h shall know
Whether this be in your Commission

Nat.
Braue!
Braue Boy! This makes mee yong agen, And tells
My Resolution right—But then
Alceus & that thunder-Bolt of Loue
Phocillus must be halterd. Worke my Brayne;
Treason and Loyalty together Reigne

Scena 6a:

Alceus. Phocillus Drawne.
Alc.
Draw.

Phocill.
Not in the Princesse Lodgeings

Alc.
Not the Altar
Sacred to Concord and the Common Peace
Can fence thee from my Vengeance. Didst you Lurke
Within the Princesse Bosom middst thy Charmes
(Wc h haue bewitcht her) I would force thee out;
Draw and that Presently lest my Injuries
Make mee turne Coward, & forgett all Mercy.

Pho.
Take heed of nameing her in this mad moode,
For then my Pacience will giue up my Heart,
And Soe let in thy Ruine. I am Loath
To putt Rage on in [this] Such a Place as this.

Alc.
Not name Antiope! yes I will Speake loud:
Shee will proue Poyson to thee, O the Name
Of holy Frendship tell him from my Poynt
How hee hath Wrongd thee. Base & false Phocillus
(The Poole wherein the Deuil Spawnes his Treachery)
Maintaine the Wrong wc h under Freindship's Maske
Thou did'st mee in my Loue, my Wittes, my Fortune
When thou betrayd'st mee. Stay; ye God's shall heare
(Or I will Snatch the Thunder from the Skyes
And make em) They shall heare how when I trusted
My Bosom and my Passions To thy Tongue
That it might giue 'em new Life to her Eare,
Most shamefully most Traiterously you didst—
Haue at thee—Scandall mee to raise the fabrick
Of thy Owne rotten fortunes.

Fight. Phocillus is Wounded.
Pho.
I returne
That Breath into thy Bosome

Alc.
Ware ye Next.

Scena 7a:

Antiope. Phocillus. Alceus
Ant.
What Sawcinesse is this? How can you, most
Unworthy ffellowes soe forgett all Reuerence
Of Mee, and this Place, as to Dare to Act
Your Brothell ffuries here? Is this a shopp
For Murther, & such hackster Villanies
As Whores would Blush at'? Where are you? in Bedlam?
What is the Chamber of a Princesse nothing?
You are not Drunck soe Early sure! Bee gon,
Unworthy of your Swords. If you will Quarrell,
Get into th'Street, and there be beat by Broom-men.

Pho.
Madam, Please you to heare.

Ant.
What you two scould like
Insatiate Butter-Women? Noe Sr, noe.
Phocillus, Thou hast gull'd my ffaire Opinion
Extreamely, and I here pronounce thee to be
The Poorest Spirited fellow of a Kingdom,
False and ungratefull; by my Virgin Honor
Thou art noe Better.

Alc.
You are just in Althings.

To Alceus
Ant.
And you sr (whom I cannot Speake too now
With anie Pacience) how came you to get
This base Ambitious Spirit, yt does Carrie you
To Acts too silly for a Child to Owne?,
I would not shame thee.

Alc.
I deserue all, Madam,
And humbly Begg a Pardon for my selfe
And this rude hand yt durst attempt to Wound
The Man you Loue soe well. But who Can Beare
An Enemy like him. Madam you know
You Lou'd mee once, 'boue him or all the World
At least you made mee soe beleiue; then do not
Soe fauour him that stole your Heart away,
To bid him Spurne mee.

Ant.
you remember much.
But since you haue Committed such an Outrage
I charge you both henceforward not to Dare
To See mee, and Looke too't, for hee that first
Infringes my Command, shall find, it is
Not safe t'offend a Princesse of ye Blood,
Soe (two Egregious Cowards as you are)
Exit.
Fight if you dare.

Pho.
Fight if I dare! Mee thinkes
It is a word too Bigg for Ioue to Speake
Unto Phocillus. Let that Mortall Come
That stampes upon the Earth & Calls it his,
Bearing a Ramping Lyon in his Mouth,
And hee shall heare mee roare as Loud as hee;
Yet foolish Woman with an idle fface
Can tye my Rage up, though I see my Blood.
This was a fond act, but when next wee meet
I doe Defy thee to A mortall Batle,
Prepare to Dy

Alc.
O 'tis a Thing I'ue studied, Sr,

Scena 8a.

Ariste. Achæa. Lady Undressing to Bed
Aris.
Madam, pray 'ee to bedd. indeed tis Late

Ach.
And yet noe Rauen Crokes. Does there, Ariste?
Is there noe Uulture that Can smell a Carcasse
Foule and Deform'd as I am? Tell mee Ladyes,
Do I not Looke all Hell? All Sinne? All Sorrow?
And yet mee thinkes you weepe not.

La.
You do too much.

Ach.
Alas you are All Cruell! you should Teach mee
Sitts downe & falls in Passion
To Wring my hands thus; thus; or with More Passion
If it were possible; And Lend your Eyes
For mee to Weepe my Teares through. Meethinks wenches
'Twere verie Easy for yor Wretched Mistrisse
To Personate Niobe if you (hard hearted,)
Could aswell [Act] Act her Daughters. Thus, Ariste
Thy Blubberd Eyes should Looke. And thy Lip, Drawing
Awry by Death's Cold hand, should mutter Woes.
Good, madam, Lay your Chin upon your Hand,
And with the Other Cling about my Neck
While I curse yon Gods, and pull downe their Marble.
Now with a Downe Cast Eye I send my Sorrowes
To my Poore Belly. Bigg bigg Ariste
Is your unhappie Queen, and yet a Virgin;
What shall I bring forth thinke you to ye World?
Perhaps I shall giue Greife a Body, Girles,

Lad.
Good Madam Doe not Mock your Selfe and Us,
The World would Laugh at such a Tale as this;
If you haue Closely sinn'd through Imperfection
Tell us. Wee are your faithfull Handwomen,
And Can lock up our Tongues.

Ach.
Can you be faithlesse?
I Call yon light to Wittnesse with her Brother
I am a Uirgin; Neither Can I tell
My Heart did euer feele a Uitious Flame
Vntill within this Weeke; But since I saw
This Stranger Calidor walking in Perfection
I feare that I haue felt, I feare it, Wenches
Something Calld Lust within Mee

Ar.
Pray, Madam, pray.
I feare the Gods haue sent out theyr Decree
To Ruine Corsica

Ach.
Pitty mee, Ladyes
For wee should know noe shame amongst our Selues,
I must Enjoy him er to morrow night
Or else bring forth the Melancholy Beere
And Lay mee Lower then my Woes
La Good Madam
It is not possible Man should be soe Dull
As not to feele his Wrongs in Such a Case.
Then who Can tell how farre they'l hurrie him

Ach.
It is noe Matter. Let mee but enjoy him
And then I care not what hee Comes to know;
Haue wee not men Enough to Awe One Stranger?
And who Dare touch my ffame?

Ar.
Now I can Weepe

Ach.
And Soe can I too at my Wickednesse
Which yet I needes must Loue.

Ari
How will the World
And Florimond take these Things? Can hee Choose but
Breake out in Wildfire when hee feeles his Hopes
Thus beyond Miserable?

Ach.
How thou art Blinded?
Why I haue told him all; Made him forsweare
His Right to Mee; And giuen him an Oath
To breake my Loue to Calidor

Ari.
«Oh» gods
What Mischeife Can wee bring on foolish Man
That Once Adores us! Madam you will make
Our Sex Abhorred, and the feild of Loue
Ly ouergrowne with weeds. Mankind will feare
Our Uery Looking-Glasses least they be Poyson'd.

Ach.
Loue will haue noe Disputes. O who Can find
A Salue to Cure enflamed Womans Mind!