University of Virginia Library

ACT IV.

SCENE I.

Enter Queen, Cloten, Clarina, Jachimo, Aurelia, and Attendants.
Queen.
Thou seed of Mischief, young Practitioner
In th'Art of Treachery, how didst thou dare
To conceal this devilish Secret,
No less than the disturbance of a Nation?
But in thy death I'le strait revenge th'Affront.

Clar.
Oh do not fright me with the name of Death!
But look with pity, Madam, on my tears,
And see a wretched Virgin beg for Life:
So may your Raign be prosp'rous, so your Beauty
Still fresh and heavenly, as your mercy flows
In showers of tender pity on my youth.

Cloten.
Pity? Ay, let me have her, I'le show pity on her
Youth; Gad, I'le first make my Footman ravish her,
And then have her hang'd.

Jachimo.
And why your Footman, my Lord? I hope you have
Other Friends about you that will do her that kindness.

Queen.
I have consider'd now she shall not die so well,
But banish'd, live to prolong her misery,
And none shall help her, upon pain of Death.
My Lord Jachimo, to you I give the Wretch,
Use her as she deserves: Hence hated Harpey.

Clar.
Nay kill me now, and I will think you kind;
Let me not be a prey to his wild Lust.

Queen.
Away with her, I will not hear a word.

Jachimo.
You'l like me better in the Countrey, Madam;
Come, come, there's no remedy.

[Drags her out.
Clar.
No spark of Pity; help, help.

Cloten.
Stop her Mouth, away with her; I'le go and
Dispatch a small Affair, and follow thee.—

[Exit.
Queen.
I've been too slow in executing vengeance,
Too dull and cold; had I been diligent,
I cou'd have stopp'd her posting toward Gallia,
And sent her Post to the Furies. Who's that comes yonder?

Aurel.
The King, Madam, and by his actions seems
In a high rage.—

Queen.
I'le whet it to a madness.

Enter King, Lords and Guards.
King.
Go search the Countrey round, and bring her back:
Send out more Horses; let every Town and Village
Be narrowly survey'd, each House, each Cottage,
Caves, Grotto's, nay the very clefts of Rocks.
Seek and return me this rebellious Fugitive,
Or lose your Monarch ever.

Queen.
Send to Milford,
If you'l succeed: We hear now she's gone to ship.
For Gallia, to meet her Love in Exile.

Enter a Captain.
Capt.
I come to inform your Majesty, that the
Beacons near to Milford-Haven are fired;
And the Post just come declares,
The Roman Army's landed there,
Led on by Gaius Lucius.

King.
Summon all the Captains,
And give strict Order that the Troops be ready
With the next Sun. I'le to the Field in person,
And with my presence animate the Souldiers.
Away, and sound to War; draw up your Infantry:
We'le timely march, and scourge this haughty Roman: Oh
Eugenia! wer't thou here, I'de fear no Foe.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II.

The Cave.
Enter Eugenia.
Eugen.
Good Heaven!
No Succour yet: I'me tired with wandring,
And faint with hunger. Ah some kind Silvian God,
That rul'st these Groves, rise from thy mossie Couch,
And with thy hoord of Summer wholesom Fruits,
Preserve an innocent Lady from sharp Famine!
I saw an Apple-tree in yonder Thicket,
On which eager to feed, as I drew near it,
A large grown Serpent from the hollow root,
Oppos'd my raging hunger, and instead of pitying
My pale and pining Looks, with flaming Eyes,
And dreadful Hisses, like the Hesperian Dragon,
Frighted me from the place; the very Trees, I think,
Take part with cruel man. Ha! what gloomy Place is this?
Here is a Path to't; sure 'tis some savage Hold.
Hoa, who's there?
If any thing that's civil, speak and help
A wretched Creature; but if savage,
Be speedy in my death. No Answer; then I'le enter.
Now Mercy, Heaven.

[Exit.
Enter Bellarius and Palladour.
Bellar.
I've haunch'd the Stag, and hung his Quarters up
The backside of the Cave, and when your Brother comes,
We'le make our Feast.

[Horn within.
Palla.
Hark, I think I hear his Horn; let's go and
Meet him, he has ventur'd hard to day, it may
Be the wild Boar has hurt him too.

Bellar.
Heaven forbid, my Boy.—

[Exeunt.
Re-enter Eugenia with Meat, eating and lifting up her hands.
Eugen.
Bless'd be this poor Retreat; for ever bless'd
The Steward of this Feast, that brings me comfort,
And saves me from a miserable Fate. Oh Heaven!
How sweet is this course Fare, this little morsel,
Which in prosperity my lavish hand
Wou'd have profusely thrown away to Dogs?
How dearly does it relish now? How covetous am I
Of each least Bit? Pardon great Providence:
We are ignorant of our selves, till Miseries
Purge our corrupted Natures, and Want, rare Artists,
Moulds us to sence of our Mortality.

[Eats and drinks.
Enter Bellarius, Palladour, and Arviragus, with a Boar's Head.
Bellar.
Welcome Arviragus; welcome my young Heroe,
Let me embrace thee.

Pallad.
Welcome dear Brother, I congratulate your Conquest,
I see you shun no danger.

Arvir.
Danger? 'tis my Pleasure:
I wou'd not give a minute for a Victory,
Unless by hazard sweetned; there's the bliss,
The proof of Valour.—This very Boar to day,
Foaming through rage, with mighty force rush'd on me,
And ere I cou'd avoid, threw me to th'ground;
When angry at my fall, I spurn'd him from me,
Rose quick, and with my Javelin pierc'd his heart.

Bellar.
Thanks Heaven for thy Escapes. Come Palladour,
Your Brother to day is Master of the Feast;
We'le play the Cook and Servant. How now, what's here?

Palla.
What's the matter, Sir?

Bellar.
Stand back a little:
But that he eats our Victuals, I shou'd think
He were a Fury.

Palla.
Jupiter—What is't?

Arvir.
An Angel, by my Soul; or else at least
Some Rural Deity.

Bellar.
A pretty Boy, a very Cupid: Hold, it's going to speak.

Eugen.
Good Master, hurt me not.
Before I enter'd here I call'd, and thought
To have begg'd or bought what I have took: Indeed
I have stoll'n nothing, nor wou'd not, though I had found
Gold strew'd ith' Floor; Here's money for my Meat:
[Kneeling.
I wou'd have left it on the Board as soon
As I had made my Meal, and then departed,
With humble thanks and prayers for the Provider.

Bellar.
Money—sweet Youth.

Arvir.
Let Gold and Silver, the Dirt o'th' Earth, be priz'd
By such as worship dirty Gods, not us.

Eugen.
I see you are angry;
But know, if you kill me for my fault, I shou'd
Have dy'd, had I not made it.

Palla.
With what a modest innocence he speaks?

Arvir.
And what a rosie face he has?

Bellar.
Whither are you going?

Eugen.
To Milford.

Bellar.
I hope you have done no mischief, and are flying,
From Justice?

Eugen.
No, Heaven knows, not I.

Bellar.
What's your Name?

Eugen.
Fidele, Sir; I have a Kinsman that
Is bound for Rome; he embarks at Milford Haven,
To whom being going, I lost my way ith' Woods,
And almost pin'd with hunger,
Am faln in this offence; pray pardon me,

[kneels and weeps.
Bellar.
Prethee my pretty fellow,
Think us not Churles, nor measure our good minds
By this rude place we live in, come, come, thou'rt welcome,
Heartily welcome, and shalt have better cheer,
Ere thou depart'st, and thanks to stay and take it.
Nay prithee wipe thy eyes: Boys, bid him welcome.
By Jove, there's something in his honest Look,
That moves my heart with love and pity for him.

Pallad.
I know not what you feel, but in my breast
Love gives him large possession; my Genius tells me,
He's worthy our best Favour. Sir, I embrace ye.

Arvir.
And I as kindly as I wou'd a Sister,
Were she distress'd as thou art. Welcome, dear Brother:
I'le call thee so, and wou'd revenge thy wrongs
With a full heart, knew I the fatal Authors.

Eugen.
A thousand blessings on you. Oh gracious Heaven!
Can this be true? Are there such blessings left
Yet for Eugenia?

Pallad.
He weeps at some Distress.

Arvir.
And the clear drops stand on his blushing Cheek,
As pearly dew on Roses. Come, my sweet Brother,
You must not be thus sad; we are all your Friends,
And love you heartily, I do swear.

[Embraces.
Pallad.
And I, by yonder Sun; there is methinks
A sympathy between us.

Bellar.
For my part,
I lik'd him at first sight: Come, welcome, welcome;
In troth you are too melancholy.

Eugen.
A small Distemper, Sir:
'Twill quickly away agen.—How courteously they use me?
And with what honesty express their Love?
Dear modest Creatures.

Bellar.
Now Sirs, let's in,
And dress our Venison; when we have supp'd, sweet Boy,
We'le mannerly desire of thee thy Story,
As far as is convenient.

Eugen.
I'me oblig'd to you for Life, Sir.

Arvir.
Come dearest Brother.

Pallad.
More lov'd than the ruddy morn, or the
Purling Brook, when parch'd with heat o'th'
Dog-star, we descend to quench our eager thirst.

Eugen.
I'me bound to you for ever:
And now too well I can disprove Report,
The Countrey is not savage, but the Court.

[Exeunt, they embracing her.

SCENE III.

Enter Pisanio.
Pisan.
My Heart throbbs still, my Senses are disturb'd too,
And since I left the Princess in yon Court,
I have not been at rest; sure she's innocent,
And I and her rash Lord have been abus'd.
I'le seek her out,
And comfort her, for I believe she's innocent.

[Exit.
Enter Cloten in Ursaces Cloaths, and Jachimo dragging in Clarina in a mean Habit.
Clar.
Look on my tears, and let them melt your heart,
Your rocky hearts, yet harder far than Stone;
For Stones melt, when relenting Heavens weeps,
But you grow more obdurate with my tears.

Jachimo.
Tears? Why thou canst not oblige me more than to
Weep soundly; it makes the flame of Love more
Vigorous; Oh I like a passionate Woman in that
Business extreamly! she has the finest ways
With her.

Clar.
Think you not on your Souls? Alas, when I am dead,
As I will ne're outlive so black a Villany,
My Ghost will fright you, your wounded Consciences
Lash and torment you like a thousand Furies.

Clot.
Ghost? A pox o'thy Ghost: Prithee art thou such a
Fool to think we fear the Devil? Jachimo, show
Her the contrary, rowze her, towze her, Boy, I'le
Do thee an honourable kindness, and pimp for thee,
For fear of disturbance.

Jachimo.
A very friendly part, faith, my Lord: Come, Madam,
You and I must be more familiar; nay, nay, no
Strugling, my heart's a flame, and you must quench the fire.

Clar.
Rather be burn'd to ashes, barbarous Wretch; help, help.
Oh Heaven, send down thy Thunder, dash me to the Earth,
Rather than suffer this: Help, help.

Enter Pisanio.
Pisan.
What pitious Cry was that? sure 'twas a Woman's voice
By the shrill sound. Good Gods, what's this I see?
My Daughter here?

Clarin.
Mercy—unlook'd for: 'Tis he, Oh my dear Father,
Runs and embraces him.
In a bless'd minute are you come to save me!

Pisan.
Ha! Lord Cloten too?
Then all's discover'd, and I'me lost.

Cloten.
See Jachimo, yonder's that old Traitor too luckily
Faln into our snare: Go, go, take his Daughter
From him, and ravish her before his face.

Jachimo.
With all my heart; I'le not lose for a million.

Pisan.
He comes upon his death that touches her: Base men,
Have you no humane Nature?

Cloten.
Does he expostulate? Kill, kill the Slave.

Pisan.
I first shall see thy death.

Cloten.
No, Thou shalt never see agen; for when I have conquer'd thee,
With my Sword's point, I'le dig out both thy eyes,
Then drag thee to my Mother to be tortur'd.

Jachimo.
I'le do his business presently.

[Fight, Pisanio wounded.
Pisan.
Fly Daughter, fly, whilst my remains of Life
I render for thy safety.

Clarin.
Oh save my Father! Heaven save him, save him.

[Exit.
[Fights still, Pisanio kills Jachimo, then falls down with him, and Cloten disarms him.
Pisan.
Thou hast it now, I think.

Jachimo.
A Plague on him, he has kill'd me. Oh—

[Dyes.
Cloten.
Curs'd Misfortune! He's dead; but I'me resolv'd to
Be thy true Prophet however, thou shalt not
See my death, unless with other eyes.

[Puts out his eyes.
Pisan.
Hell-born Fury! Oh—

Cloten.
So, now smell thy way out of the Wood, whilst
I follow thy Daughter, find her, and cut her piece-meal.
I'le sacrifice her to the Ghost of Jachimo.

[Exit.
Pisan.
All dismal, dark as Night, or lowest Shades,
The Regions of the Dead, or endless Horror;
The Sun with all his light now gives me none,
But spreads his beamy Influence in vain,
And lends no Glimpse to light my Land of darkness.
Sure near this Place there lyes a Sword,
[Crawls about to find his Sword.
I'le try if I can find it. Pitiless Fate,
Wilt thou not guide my hand? My Wound's not mortal,
And I shall yet live Ages: True sign of Grief,
When we do wish to die before our time.
I'le crawl into some Bush and hide my self,
Till Fate's at leisure; there
To the dumb Grove recount my Miseries,
Weep Tears of bloud from Wounds instead of Eyes.

[Crawls out.

SCENE IV.

Enter Bellarius from the Cave.
Bellar.
Turning my head towards yon point o'th' Sea,
Methoughts I heard a noise of Drums and Trumpets,
With shouts of men, as of an Army landed:
Perhaps 'tis so indeed; I know the Romans
Have long watch'd an advantage, and wou'd run
With joy the race great Cæsar once begun.

Enter Palladour, Arviragus and Eugenia.
Pallad.
You are not well; pray stay here in the Cave.

Bellar.
Go you to Hunting, Sons, I'le stay with him.

Eugen.
I beseech you do not; nay then you'l make me blush,
To think how much I trouble ye: Let me beg ye,
Stick to your Journal Course; the breach of Custom
Is breach of all: I am ill, but your being by me,
Is not medicinable; Society is no comfort neither,
To one not sociable: Pray go and trust me here;
I'le rob none but my self, and if my self,
The theft's so poor 'tis not worth punishing.

Pallad.
There's so much vertue in his Love and Actions,
It more and more does steal away my heart.

Eugen.
Kind Heaven preserve you both. Oh sacred Providence!
Who cou'd have thought to find such gentle Creatures
In a wild rustick Cave, by Nature only taught?
I am sick still,
Very sick; now Pisanio I'le taste thy Cordial,
I never had more cause.
[Exit Eugen.

Bellar.
Let's to our Silvian sport. How now, who's that?

[Exit.
Enter Cloten.
Cloten.
I cannot find this Fugitive; sure the Devil
Has lent her wings to fly, and cross my purpose.

Cloten.
Hah! What are you that fly me thus? Some Villain Outlaws?
I've heard of such.—What Slave art thou?

Arvir.
A thing more slavish did I ne're, then answering.
A Slave without a Knock.

Cloten.
Thou art a Robber: I'le murder thee.

Arvir.
Ye lye, you wonot, you cannot, nor you shan't,
I'le beat your Brains out first; S'death, have not I
An Arm as long as thine, a Heart as big?
Thy words may appear bigger, but I wear not
My Dagger in my mouth.

Cloten.
A plaguy little Whipster this: Why, thou
Abject Villain,
Knows me not by my Cloaths.

Arvir.
No, I say, how shou'd I?

Cloten.
Then hear my Name and tremble.

Arvir.
I tremble at nothing but the Thunder,
And that I'me sure thou canst not do:
What's thy Name?

Cloten.
Cloten, thou Villain.

Arvir.
Cloten? Then double Villain be thy Name,
I care not—Were it Toad, Spider, or Adder,
'Twou'd move me sooner.

Cloten.
To thy Confusion know, I am Son to th'Queen.

Arvir.
I am sorry for't, not seeming so worthy
As thy Birth.

Cloten.
Does thou not fear?

Arvir.
Those that I reverence, those I fear, the Wise,
All Fools I scourge and laugh at.

Cloten.
Y'are witty, are you? but I'le fetch ye out of
Your Jest presently; Sirrah,
I'le slay thee with this hand, and when thou
Art dead,
Upon the Gates of Ludds-Town set thy Head.

Arvir.
It stands yet on my Shoulders; come, come on Sir.

They fight; Cloten lets fall his Sword and runs out.
Enter Bellarius and Pallador.
Bellar.
No Company's abroad.

Pallad.
Not a man stirring—You did mistake him sure.

Bellar.
No, I am firm 'twas he.

Pallad.
In this Place we left 'um.
I wish my Brother make good party with him;
You say he's very strong.

Bellar.
I have often heard so.

Pallad.
He look'd but like a Fool. But see, our
Fears may vanish, here comes my Brother.

Enter Arviragus with Cloten's Head.
Arvir.
This Cloten was a Fool, an empty Purse,
There was no money in't; not Hercules
Cou'd have knock'd out his Brains, for he had
None; but I think I've stopp'd his Railing.

Bellar.
What hast thou done?

[Throws the Head down.
Arvir.
Yon grinning Face will inform you.
I've cut off one Cloten's Head, Son to the Queen,
He says he is, who call'd me Villain, who
Swore he wou'd cut mine off from my
Shoulders, and set it upon Ludds-Town.

Bellar.
We are all undone.

Pallad.
Why, worthy Father, what have we to lose?
The Law protects not us, why shou'd we fear?
Arviragus, I love thee like a Brother, but envy much
Thy Valour in this Action.

Bellar.
I fear 'twill be reveng'd.

Arvir.
With his own Sword he wav'd against my Throat,
I hew'd it off; I'le throw't into the Creek
Behind our Rock, and let it to the Sea,
To tell the Fishes he's the Queens Son Cloten.
That's all I care.

[Exit Arvir. with the Head.
Pallad.
I'le go and see Fidele;
I hope he's somewhat better after Sleep.

[Exit.
Bellar.
Oh divine Nature, how thou show'st thy Power
In these two Princely Boys! 'tis a wonder
That an invisible Instinct shou'd frame 'um
To Royalty unlearn'd, Honour untaught;
Civility not seen from others, Valour
That wildly grows in 'um, but yields a Crop
As if it had been sow'd.

Enter Arviragus.
Arvir.
I have sent Cloten's Clotpole down the Stream,
In Embassie to his Mother; his Body lyes
In yonder Thicket.—Hah, that's my Brother's Voice!
[Cry within.
Where is he?

Bellar.
Gon out o'th' Cave just now to see Fidele.

Enter Palladore with Eugenia as dead.
Pallad.
See Brother, see, the pretty Bird is dead,
That we so well did love.

Bellar.
Dead? and by Melancholy? this is strange.

Arvir.
Oh piercing Sight! Thou sweetest, fairest Lilly,
My Brother wears thee now not half so well,
As when thou grew'st thy self.

Bellar.
How did'st thou find him?

Pallad:
Just as you see, smiling as in a slumber;
His right Cheek reposing on a Cushion on the Floor:
His Arms thus cross'd, I thought he slept, and put
My Hunting-shooes from off my feet, whose rudeness
Answered my Steps too loud.

Bellar.
Well, 'tis in vain to mourn, what's past recovery:
Come Sons, let's lay him in our Tomb.

Arvir.
Rest there sweet Body of a sweeter Soul,
[They lay him in the Grave.
Whilst we lament thy Fate.

Enter Caius Lucius, Captains and Souldiers, with Drum and Colours.
Capt.
To them the Succours sent from Gaul will joyn,
And now are setting forth to cross the Sea,
And meet you here at Milford.

Lucius.
What number are they?

Capt.
At least 10000. and all disciplin'd,
Bred to the War, most willing active Spirits,
That promise noble Service; they are coming
Under the Conduct of the bold Shattillion,
Syenna's Brother.

Lucius.
Oh I know him well, a most methodical Courtier:
But when d'ye expect 'um?

Capt.
With the next benefit of Wind.

Lucius.
This forwardness makes our hopes fair. What News
Have you from Ludds-Town?

Capt.
The Queen is dead, raging with desperate madness
For the absence of her Son late strangely lost,
And as they fear is murdered. But I hear the old King
Comes forward with his Power.

Lucius.
We shall the sooner meet him;
And Cæsar shall have Tribute, or we'le shed
Our Roman Blood in Britain. What's here?
A Boy
Asleep I think, or dead; let's see his Face.

Capt.
He is alive, my Lord.

Lucius.
What art thou, Youth?

Eugen.
I am nothing; or if something,
'Twere better I were nothing.

Lucius.
This Countrey sure
Is savage grown: This Morning in yon Wood
I found an old Man, his Eyes just put out, wounded,
And freshly bleeding: And not far off from him,
A tender Virgin, running with Hair dishelved,
And crying to Heaven for succour; whom strait I seiz'd,
And carried to my Tent, where now they are.

Capt.
I saw 'um, and heard since they are of quality.

Lucius.
Look up, Youth, I'le entertain thee,
Thou shalt go with me.

Eugen.
I beseech you, Sir, excuse me.

Lucius.
By no means; I like thee well, thou shalt be my Page.

Eugen.
He's going with an Army 'gainst my Father;
I'th' Battel sure I cannot miss a death,
Amongst so many Swords. Well, Sir, if I must go.

Lucius.
Leave soft Grief,
And bend thy mind to th'War; if thou dost nobly,
Cæsar shall honour thee. March.

[Exeunt, Scene shuts upon Cloten's dead Body.
Enter Bellarius, Palladore, Arviragus.
Pallad.
We are discover'd: Here, Sir, take your Sword,
And let's adventure out; 'tis much better
To brave a dangerous Fate, than tamely suffer it.
Pray let's to th'Army.

Bellar.
I shall be discover'd,
And then be rack'd and tortur'd.

Arvir.
Do not fear it:
This is, Sir, not a time for private Fewds;
Besides the Frost of twenty nipping Winters,
As many Summers Heats furrow that Brow
Which once was smooth: You look not now, my Father,
As you did then, when lusty Youth and Vigour
Sate blushing on your Cheek.

Pallad.
Consuming Time,
That alters every thing, you cannot doubt,
Has chang'd you much from what you were.

Bellar.
I know it;
And since your Valours prompt you to the War,
I'le hazard with good will remaining Life,
To get you Fame.

Pallad.
Whilst we have any Life, yours, Sir, shall be in safety.
Come, Brother, let's to the King's Party, 'tis the noblest way;
For never shall it be declar'd hereafter,
That our first Onset in the Race of Honour,
Was in ignoble Fight against our Countrey.

Bellar.
'Tis honourable Advice, and shall be follow'd.
And now methinks I wish to be in Battel:
Once more, Bellarius, draw thy Sword for Britain,
This Sword that made the all conquering Julius
Stoop to the Earth, and groveling kiss the Dust,
When like another Cyclops, the sound stroak
Made his well-temper'd Helm shed sparks of Fire.
This Sword shall once more know the Toyles of War,
And reek with Victory.

Pallad.
With Victory?
Oh Royal Sound, the Prize of honour'd Valour!
Let's on, let's on.

Arvir.
Methinks my Heart grows bigger,
And swells within my Breast, to meet the Fame
My fatal Sword shall purchase. Oh my Father!
The thought of your fam'd Deeds so steels my Courage,
That when I'me full of Wounds, begrum'd with Dust,
Spotted with Blood, and hemm'd about with Enemies,
I shall break through like the young God of War:
With Blood of Foes the neighb'ring Valleys fill,
Like Lightning scatter, and like Thunder kill.

[Exeunt.