 | The Court Begger |  |
SCENE III.
Enter Frederick in a Doctors habit, Gabriel with two swords under his cloake, Ferdinand upon a Bed bound, and held down by servants.Fer.
Heape yet more Mountaines, Mountaines upon
Mountaines, Pindus on Ossa, Atlas on Olympus,
I'le carry that which carries Heaven, do you
But lay't upon me!
Fre.
Forbeare you'l stifle him,
Take off the needlesse weight of your rude bodies;
Unbind him and stand off, to give him ayre.
Ser.
Sir though you are a Phisitian, I am no foole.
hold when his hot fit's upon him. He would now teare
you to pieces should you let him loose.
Fer.
The danger then be mine. Let him sit up. Is not
he civill now?
Ser.
I, for how long? do you note that Hercules eye
there?
Fre.
I charge you quit the roome.
Ser.
Tis but to come agen when we are call'd.
Fre.
Be not within the hearing of a call,
Or if you chance to heare me, though I cry
Murder, I charge you come not at me.
Ser.
Tis but a Doctor out o' the way; and that's no
losse while there are so many, the best cannot live by the
worst.
Fre.
Keep the dore fast. You are much mist abroad sir,
And chiefly by the Ladies, who now want
The Court-ships, Banquets, and the costly presents
In which you wonted to abound to 'em.
Ferd.
Ha—
Fre.
Nay, nay, sit still sir. They say y'are mad;
Mad with conceit of being a favorite
Before your time, that is, before you had merit
More then a tumour of vaine-glory in you,
And in especiall care for your recovery
I am sent to administer unto you: but first
To let you blood.
Dagger.
Ferd.
Ho! Murder, Murder, Murder.
Fre.
Are you so sensible already? do not stirre
Nor cry too loud. Dos the meere apprehension
Of blood-letting affright your madnesse? Then
Reason may come agen.
Ferd.
The Battaile of Musteborough Field was a
brave one.
Fre.
O do you fly out agen?
Fre.
This is pretty: but back from the purpose.
He sings agen.
Fre.
Will you come to the point sir?
Ferdinand sings agen.
Fre.
We but lose time in this sir: Though it be good
testimony of your memory in an old Song. But do you
know me?
Ferd.
Not know my Soveraigne Lord? Curs'd be those
Knees, and hearts that fall not prostrate at his Feete.
Fre.
This wild submission no way mittigates
My wrongs, or alters resolution in me
To Cure or Kill you quickly. Do you know me now sir?
Or have you known Charissa? do you start sir?
(Off his beard & gown.
There's signe of reason in you then: But bee't
By reason or by chance, that you awake
Out of your frantick slumber, to perceive me,
My cause and my Revenge is still the same,
Which I will presecute according to
My certaine wrong, and not your doubtfull reason,
Since reasonlesse you layd those wrongs upon me
When you were counted wise, great, valiant, and what not
That cryes a Courtier up, and gives him power
To trample on his betters.
Ferd.
Who talkes this mortall to? I am a spirit.
Fre.
Sure I shall finde you flesh, and penetrable.
Ferd.
I would but live to subdue the Pisidians,
And so to bring the Lydians under tribute—
Fre.
You would but live t' abuse more credulous fathers
With courtly promises, and golden hopes
For your own lustfull ends upon their Daughters.
Thinke (if you can thinke now) upon Charissa.
Charissa who was mine, in faith and honour
Till you ignobly (which is damnably)
By a false promise with intent to whore her
To my eternall losse. Now whether you
Have wit or no wit to deny't, or stand to't,
Or whether you have one, or ten mens strength,
Or all, or none at all i'le fight or Kill you
Yet like a Gentleman, i'le call upon you
(Throw away his dags.
Give me the Swords. They are of equall length
Take you free choyce.
Ferd.
Pish.
Run back.
Fre.
I cast that to you then. Hand it, or die a
Madman.
Ferd.
O, ho, ho, ho.—
Gab.
All this sir to a Madam.
Fre.
I have a cause to be more mad then he,
And in that cause i'le fight.
Gab.
He knowes not what you tell him.
Fre.
I tell't the Devill in him then to divulge it
When I have dispossest him. I have further
Reason to kill him yet, to crosse your Master,
VVho has beg'd his Estate. Now fight or die a Madman.
Ferd.
Hold Frederick hold. Thou hast indeed awak'd
Me to see thee and my selfe.
Gab.
Hee's not so mad to fight yet I see that.
Fre.
I'm glad you are your selfe sir, I shall fight
Now upon honorable tearmes, and could
Suppose before your madnesse counterfeit.
Ferd.
Yet hold. Has Mendicant beg'd me?
Fre.
During your madnesse. VVhat should hinder
him?
Ferd.
Put up thy Sword.
Fre.
Upon no tearmes, and you alive.
Ferd.
Not to obtaine Charissa?
Fre.
As you Guest sir.
Ferd.
It shall be by meanes if gold can win
Fre.
That's most unquestionable.
Ferd.
Not that I dare not fight, doe I urge this,
But that the other is your safer way.
Fre.
Your gold's too light. I will accept of nothing
From you while you dare tell me you dare fight,
Perhaps you doubt of ods, goe forth. Nay I
VVill lock him out.
Gab.
You may: For I dare trust you while I go call
the Lady.
Exit.
Fre.
Now are you pleas'd, or dare you now to
fight sir?
Ferd.
I neither will nor dare fight in this cause:
Fre.
This is a daring Courtier!
How durst you wind your selfe in so much danger?
And why take madnesse in you, to be bound,
And grapled with so rudely?
Ferd.
Keepe my councell,
And take Charissa.
Fre.
Tis a faire condition.
Ferd.
First for the wrong I did thee, noble youth
In my designe against Charissa's honour,
It is confess'd, repented; and her selfe
For satisfaction to be given to thee,
I'le fall upon thy Sword else, or be posted,
And Ballated with all disgrace.
Fre.
VVell yet.
Ferd.
And for my shew of madnesse; 'twas put on
For my revenge on this impetuous Lady
To coole these flames (as much of anger as
Desire) with her disdaine, and tempting malice
Had rais'd within mee.
Fre.
You would have ravish'd her.
Ferd.
I rather thought, she like a cunning Lady
VVould have consented to a Madman, who
She might presume could not impeach her honor
That cannot blab, or must not be believ'd
Receave strange favours.
Fre.
And on that presumption
You fain'd your madnesse.
Ferd.
True.
Fre.
But rather then to faile,
With your bawd Doctors helpe you would ha' forc'd her:
And that's the councell you would have me keep
On your assurance of Charissa to me:
That your proceeding in your madnesse here,
May yet finde meanes and opportunity
To exercise your violence.
Ferd.
Suppose so.
Fre.
Thou art not worth my Killing now.
Justice will marke thee for the Hangmans Office:
Nor, were Charissa in thy gift, were shee,
In that, worth mine or any good acceptance,
And for your councell, had within there Madam.
Ferd.
Frederick—
Fre.
The Lady of the house! where are you?
VVill you be pleas'd to heare a secret Madam?
Strangely discover'd?
Enter Strangelove, Gabriel, Doctor.
Str.
I doe not slight your act in the discovery,
But your imposture sir, and beastly practise
VVas before whisper'd to me by your Doctor
To save his Epididamies.
Doct.
O your pardon.
Fred.
I am disgrac'd, undone.
Str.
Tis in my power
To make you the perpetuall shame of Court;
And will assuredly doe't, if you comply not
VVith me to make this injur'd Gentlemans fortune
In his belov'd Charissa.
Madam most readily, I have offer'd it.
Sw.
I have forecast the way and meanes already:
Which we must prosecute with art and speed.
Good ends oft times doe bad intents succeede.
Ferd.
I'le be directed by you.
Fre.
Noblest Lady.
Exeunt Omnes.
| The Court Begger | |