 | The Tragedy of Ovid |  |
51
Actus Tertii,
Scena Prima.
Enter, Ovid, and Caralinda.Ovid.
Trasullus is a great Astrologer,
I'th Mathematicks skilfull to perfection:
For his profounder knowledg, the Chaldæans
Submit all to him.
Caral.
Therefore I have reason,
More strictly to observe th'advice he gave me;
And wait for the Accomplishment of the Fortune,
Which he foretold me.
Ovid.
But fair, Caralinda!
I would not have you either be too scrupulous,
Or negligent. The skill which they pretend to
Hath but foundation upon Probabilities:
The glorious Planets may incline, but force not.
We have a Liberty within our selves;
Our wills are free, not slaves unto the Stars.
Caral.
Though I believe you; I am so superstitious.
I shall expect the Accomplishment of his Prophesy.
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And choose a worthier subject for our talke.
Tell me (dear Ovid) therefore how the Fair
Bride's fairer sister doth enjoy her health?
I left her (when I went to Travail) like
Illustrious Phœbus rising in the spring,
Without a Cloud about his Temples, promising
A bright day to the world. I left her in
Her early youth, but with so growing a Beauty,
That surely now tis able to work wonders.
Ovid.
Indeed she is a Miracle of Perfection;
Nature hath prodigally bestow'd upon her
All her rich gifts: she is so fine a Virgin,
That I should wrong her to describe her Farther.
Health dares not be so rude as to forsake her,
Nor sickness so uncivill to approach her.
Caral.
You have deliver'd her to my Amazement:
But I did alwaies look that she would prove,
The Glory of this Province for her Beauty.
Ovid.
But Armelina hath besides a Soul,
Replenish'd so with goodness, and all virtue,
That were it lodg'd in any other body,
It would be lock'd up in a Cabinet,
Too mean for such a precious Jewel.
Caral.
Ovid!
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You have bestow'd upon her.
Ovid.
You mistake me,
I cannot speak her to her merit. You
Will think (when you shall see her) I have Injur'd her;
Her Merits do so much exceed all Language.
Caral.
We two have from our Childhood had a Friendship,
And she will grace me to continue it;
If she be such an one, as you have spoke her.
Ovid.
Ah! Caralinda I am grown too old,
To be a Flatterer.
Enter Armelina.
Here she comes; and I
Appeal to your own eyes, to be my witness.
You grace me (Armelina) by this visit.
You seem a Deity; And bring a Comfort
To any Place you honor with your Presence.
Armelina.
Duty obliges me to wait upon
A Person so Renowned as is Ovid,
One banish'd from his Friends, and native Country
And (in his Age) confin'd to our poor City.
Ovid.
You have a Charity equall to your Beauty,
This Lady is my Cosen born at Salmo;
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To favour her with your Acquaintance, and
(As you hereafter shall approve of her)
With your fair Friendship too.
Armelina.
The generous Ovid,
New Obligations layes upon me daily.
Ovid.
My Kinswoman is your servant. Caralinda!
This Lady is the excellent Armelina
We were discoursing of, and I commending
(For who do's otherwise that speaks of her,
Doth sin against the greatest Truth on earth)
As she came in.
Armelina.
Madam! I kiss your hand; And am ambitious
Of your acquaintance, and Affection.
So excellent a Kinswoman of Ovids
Must find my best Respects, and truest Love.
Caralina.
Admirable Armelina! you are of
A Goodness so immense, that you may cast
Away of it on others an abundance,
And not impoverish your self at all.
Armelina.
I wish
Pontus had any Person in it worthy
To be a Suitor to you for your love;
That here you might be married, and fix.
We would not loose such Graces you are Mistris of
Now we have seen you once. Ovid me thinks
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And setled past the fear of Removall.
Caralina.
Madam! my stay may prove much longer then
You do imagine. But let my occasions
Prove how they can (you with your Curtesy,
Have won so on me) that without your leave
I'le not return.
Armelina.
You are too gracious, and have so engag'd me,
I know not what to speak or think.
Ovid.
You saw,
I will believe (in Rome) one Phœbianus.
A Gentleman of this Country, and this City.
Caralina.
I saw him oft, and know him very well,
For he was pleas'd t'afford his friendship to me.
Ovid.
When thinks he of returning? He stayes long,
Armelina.
I can imagine he is so discreet,
That he had rather live in the Metropolis
Of all the world, then in a solitude
Retir'd (in a manner) from the world,
Upon the Confines of the Empire here:
And to that purpose he hath mighty reason
To choose himself (among the Roman Ladies)
A wife whose matchless-Beauty shall have power,
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Caral.
By your fair leave,
Dear Armelina, I with confidence
Dare say he shortly will be here.
Armel.
Why pray you?
Can he escape the Roman killing Beauties,
And slight so much his own full happiness,
As to return a Batcheler to Tomos,
And here take up with an inferiour woman
To be his wife. He hath too much discretion,
To be found guilty of so great a weakness.
Caral.
You are a stranger it seems to his affection:
For he hath left his heart here, Divers times
He hath told me, he hath such a Mistris here,
That Rome, and all the World, doth want her equall:
That there is neither Cæsar, King, or Tetrarch,
But would elect her rather for his wife,
Then be an Emperour of the Universe,
And have all Mankind Loyall Subjects to him.
Ovid.
Who should that Beauty be?
Armel.
This Province, sure,
Hath none of so supream an Excellency,
As he to you hath intimated. Poets
Report that Love is blind: And if he choose
A wife in Pontus (after he hath seen,
Those glorious Ladies in Tiberius Court)
He will too late (by his Experience) find
That he in his own Choice was also blind.
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Do you not know her name he so affects?
Armel.
He is an hansome Gentleman, and if
He comes not back debauched with the Luxuries.
Of that proud City, nor infected with
The vices of it, He is a Personage
Of eminent virtues. Such he went from us;
And I shall hope he will come back untainted,
And be an honour to his native Country.
Ovid.
But still my Curiosity is unsatisfi'd,
What might her name be, he doth celebrate
With such Encomiums?
Caral.
Perhaps it might offend him if I should
Reveal that secret.
Ovid.
Do not think it, I
Believe (if he were here and I requir'd it)
He it from me would not conceale: And I
Dare pass my word the Lady Armelina
Will be as private in't, as you can wish.
Caral.
Madam! I easily will believe, that you
Care not at all to hear it.
Armel.
I dare not (in modesty) be so inquisitive,
Ladies would have their Loves conceal'd.
Ovid.
Sweet Cosen!
Dear Caralinda, tell us who it is.
Caral.
Sweet Armelina! I must needs obey,
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Armelina.
You jest with me, and he abuses me,
To make me the subject of his mirth.
Caralina.
I'm sure
You are mistaken much: He hath exprest
Too great a Love for you, to be in jest.
Armelina.
There may be other women of my Name,
For ought I know in Tomos or in Pontus.
Caralina.
If you Clorina's Sister are, tis you.
Armelina.
You make me blush. A better choice I wish him.
Caralina.
Were all the Beautifull Ladies in the world
Together, and among them, he might select
Freely which he should please, I know the vehemency
Of his Passion such, he would take you:
And you are of an Excellency so unparallel'd
That he would wrong his Judgment, if he should
Erre into any other Choice.
Armelina.
You complement too much: you Flatter me.
Ovid.
You do an Injury to your mighty merits
Deserve the Praise of all the world.
Armelina.
Pray let us
Discourse of something else.
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Since you will have it so,
Let us withdraw; And taste a Glass
Of Cretane wine.
Caral.
Dedicate one health
To Phœbianus, and his speedy Return.
Exeunt Omnes.
Scena secunda.
Enter Dacus, Cypassis, and Spinella.Dacus.
Now we are Friends again.
Cypassis.
All very good Friends,
Dacus.
Spinella too will smile upon me.
Spinella.
Laugh at you also, when you deserve it,
Dacus.
My wonderfull old Mother! Dear Cypassis
You are growen merrier of late, and it
Becomes you well; makes you grow fat, and hold
The Relicts of your Beauty up together:
If there be any woman in the world.
That doth remember the building of the Capitoll
I dare pronounce tis you. I wish I had
But as much mony as you have spent in Almanacks,
(Reckoning but one for a year) since you could make use of them; And I
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And have Gold
Enough to make daily high Entertainments
Of the best Sweetmeats, and rich Grecian wine
For you, and my Spinella, and maintain her
In clothes beseeming one of Cæsars Family.
Cypassis.
Well, well Captain Dacus: For all you make a jest at my Age, you would
Be very glad to live so long your self.
Spinel.
I think there is small reason to imagine
He will arrive to such an Antiquity.
His Debaucheries will shorten his daies. Beside
He is so quarrelsom, that tis a wonder
That he hath liv'd till now.
Dac.
Pritty Spinella, you steer an other Course
Are tame enough, as Gentle as a Cade,
And he that gives you mony cannot Injure you
Enter Hannibal, Cacala, and Floretta.
Spinella.
You prate, you prate.
Hannibal.
Is the meat ready yet.
Cacala.
Whether it be or no, my stomack ready for it.
Cypassis.
It is; but we must stay for Lord Bassanes.
Han.
Will he be here, Cypassis?
Cypas.
Yes, and his friend Marullus.
Han.
The more the merrier, my reverent Mother.
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But the fewer the better Cheare, I say.
Dacus.
Jove save you, Captain Hannibal. And Venus,
Delicate Floretta, smile upon you alwaies.
Han.
Mars (Captain Dacus) be thy Friend, and Victory
Sit on thy swords point, when thou go'st to battail.
Caca.
If Victory be of any weight, he had better
Carry her behind him on horse-back through the Field.
Floret.
You look, Spinella, very well to day, are neatly attir'd,
You meet with wealthy Servants; else you could
Not go so richly clad.
Spinel.
You weare as good Cloathes as I; which makes me conclude that
Captain Hannibal is of a wealthy Fortune.
Floret.
His sword hath been his mony; Tis it that hath
Purchas'd him an Estate sufficient,
To live in nobler splendour then he doth.
But he's content without the Noise of Clyents,
And a Retinue of many Servants. Cacala
Serves him for man; And me for Maid.
Dacus.
I wish Bassanes would appear. Tis pitty
Good meat (out of a Complement) should be spoyl'd
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He is a Person of his word.
Cypassis.
And will
Be suddainly here I dare assure it.
Cacala.
But how if he comes not this hower yet?
Cypassis.
We must stay for him.
Cacala.
I would then I were a Lord, and the
better of the two; That we might go to our
meat presently, and he come at his own leasure,
and sit down accordingly.
Enter Bassanes, and Marullus.
Dacus.
Long look'd for comes at last!
Cypassis.
My Lord Bassanes welcome! Friend Marullus!
Y'are welcome too.
Bassanes.
You see I trouble you Cypassis. Why
Seems my Spinella discontent?
Spinella.
Because
She is not yours. You have forsaken me
I have not seen you many a day.
Bassanes.
I shall
Not hereafter be such a stranger to you.
Marullus.
These wenches strange Temptations are. Yet sure
Clorina's Beauties, and the sacred knot
Of Hymen will continue him in virtue.
Bassanes.
Your daughter looks exceeding well, Cypassis,
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It is above the rage of time, of sickness.
Cypassis.
Venus be prais'd, she needs no Art, and never
Readd Ovids Poem of the skill of Painting,
She knows not what belongs unto a Fucus:
Her Face doth ever weare its native Colours.
Spinel.
Mother! the very thought of the ingredients
Of Paint, would powerfully deterre me from it
I should be sick to daub my Face with Oyntments
Made of the spawne of Snakes, Spittle of Jews,
And Mird of Infants.
Flor.
Many a Gentlewoman
Of good Repute, and excellent Features also,
Have not so nice a stomack.
Cypas.
I credit it:
And have known many (who use Art themselves)
Rail at it with so fine an Impudency,
As if they did intend to win beliefe,
To paint they such Aversion had, as they
Scorn'd (with it) to adulterate their Faces.
Mar.
You women no Dissemblers are! He that
Can live without you is an happy man.
Caca.
In my opinion, you Floretta had
Better become my wife, then thus continue
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Floret.
I shall inform him of your sauciness:
If you desist not from your suit. Know Cacala
I scorn to be a wife to thee.
Caca.
No more
You have more Cause to scorn to be a Whore
Aside.
Flor.
What mutter you?
Caca.
No matter of Importance. I conceit
Your conversation with the Captain hath
Inspir'd you with valour.
Flor.
Preethee wherefore?
Caca.
Because you lead such an Incontinent Life;
I think you do not fear the Gods.
Flor.
Adon;
Or I will make you fear my Hannibal's Anger!
Cypas.
Our meat stayes on us.
Bassanes.
Mother lead the way.
Give me your hand Spinella,
Spin.
And my heart.
Dacus.
I fear Bassanes will renew his Love.
Exeunt.
Could I win her affection. I would marry her
And take her to Rome out of his reach, she is
Cypassis only Child; And they are rich.
She may turne honest after she's a wife:
However Mony makes an happy Life.
Exit.
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Scena Tertia.
Enter Armelina Sola.Armelina.
Ovids fair Cosen Caralinda hath
Inspir'd a spiriti of Joy into me. Those
Sweet words she told me of my Phœbianus,
Sunk pleasantly into my heart, and thence
Disperse a Comfort unto all my Senses.
Before he travail'd, she would often whisper
Kind Accents in my ears of his Affection.
But (though I wish'd him well) I durst not give
To easy Credit to his amorous tongue.
Yet from my Childhood I have had a kindness.
For him, as he profes'd he had for me.
His Constancy my only Comfort is;
And I will pay with my Affection his.
Scena Quarta.
Enter Bassanes, and Dacus.Bassanes.
You should not be so angry. He intended
You no Affront. He had been drinking ere
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Could beare. Come therefore in again, shake hands
And still continue Friends.
Dacus.
It must not be
Refuse my Mistriss health! It is a Crime,
Which nothing but his death shall expiate.
His body goes to Atoms for't, and's Soul
Whither it pleaseth surly Caron to Waft it.
Have I been ever his continuall Friend,
Waited on all his worst Extravagancies
With my unwearied valour, and my sword?
And am I slighted thus! I will rouse up
The dreadfull Furies from infernall shades,
To stigmatize him full of my revenge.
The lasting Stars of his Ingratitude.
Enter Marullus, Cypassis, Hannibal, Cacala, Floretta, Spinella.
Cypassis.
Il'e have no quarrelling in my house!
you shall be Friends. He shall drink Spinella's
health, and have no more.
Caca.
And you can hinder Quarrels in a Bawdy-house,
you have more power then a Constable.
But if you force him to drink her
health; Let him have something more, have
her too, though it be but to night.
Spin.
Leave pimping Cacala, I have no need
Of your assistance in this kind, Bassanes
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Bassa.
Marullus! I conjure you by our Friendship:
And Captain Dacus! He shall have the Boule.
pointing to Marullus.
Flor.
You shall command me.
Spin.
If you expecting favour you must leave
These humours. Are you Friends?
Dacus.
I must obey you.
Flor.
Shake hands, and let us in again.
Cypas.
I need not of Clorina's Health enquire
She cannot but be well whom you affect.
Bassa.
Cypassis! this is pritty Complement,
She's free from sickness, and I will be carefull
To keep her clear from any vitious Act.
Cypas.
Doubtless she's virtuous: Trouble not your head
With Jealousy.
Bassa.
I will be wise, old Mother!
Han.
Come Captain.
We men of Warre are for the Field, and there
Will be victorious; Let the woman here.
Exeunt.
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Scena Quinta.
Enter Clorina above, as in her Chamber.Clorina.
I am lock'd in, and at it am amaz'd
But will conceale it from my servants while
I any Excuse can find. It needs must be
My Husband; For he last was with me here.
I did not hear him doo't; but (in all likehood)
Twas he, when's mind did run on something else.
I am so innocent I should fear nothing,
And yet so timerous that I am in dread.
Enter Pyrontus, and Philocles below.
Pyrontus and his Friend are come into
The Garden: Gracious Heaven divert from
The Prosecution of his suit to me.
My troublesom thoughts have brought a Drowsiness
Upon me. Sleep shall entertain my time
Untill Bassanes comes, and ope's the door.
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A stranger to the reason I'm made Prisoner.
Perhaps my Husband knowes some Mortall danger
Design'd against me, and hath thus secur'd me
Till his return.
Withdraws.
Pyron.
My Philocles, by all
The Circumstances of our mighty Friendship,
I pray thee vex me with no more Disswasions.
I cannot look upon my Passion to,
The fair Clorina as a Crime. If tis
Offence on her to be enamour'd, sure
All mankind that beholds her, must be guilty.
Philoc.
You are so obstinate, my heart foretels me
You will draw Mischiefs on your head. For Heavens sake
Consider on your Friendship to Bassanes,
Reflect upon the Contumely, you
Will bring upon you from the Mouthes of all,
For your unbridled Appetite to the Wife!
Of your approved Friend; and for the Breach
Of Sacred Amity by such a Crime.
Pyron.
Your words you scatter in the wind to give
Counsell to me. My Friendship must submit
To my more powerfull Love.
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Noble Pyrontus,
Tis not too late yet to consult with Reason.
Pray give me leave to wait upon you home.
Rouse your depressed Vertue up, and let
Time, your own Courage, and the gods Assistance,
Clear your brave mind, from all these vitious Flames.
Pyron.
I will not leave the house till I have seen
And spoken with Clorina.
Philoc.
You have heard
She is retir'd into her Chamber, there
Hath lock'd her self up; And you may believe
Tis done to shun your Courtship. Will you goe?
Pyron.
I will not stir from hence, till I have blest
My eyes with the most glorious Beams of hers!
Philoc.
I then must take my leave. If I can do
No good with my Entreaties to my Friend.
The world shall not inflict their Curses on me,
As if that I conniv'd at his Impieties.
I pray you come away.
Pyron.
All-powerfull Love,
Hath charm'd me from obeying your Commands.
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Farewell then; but be wise and follow me,
Exit Philocles.
Pyron.
So let him go. I undisturb'd may now
Enjoy my thoughts, and follow my own Genius.
She is not sick, and yet she keeps her Chamber;
And locks her self in, to my greater Prejudice.
That is the window to't. Oh! For the power
Of Jove t'fall on her in a golden shower,
Mercury! thanks. The Gardiner hath left
A Ladder here. Il'e reare it up and venture
Thereby to get a sight of her; And (if
I else where must not) there declare my grief.
Rears and climbs up the Ladder.
The window open! every thing foretells
Happy success!—she lyes upon her Bed!
Looks like Diana toyld with rurall sports.
Fortune hath thus far favour'd me, and I
Will by her Foretop hold, and venture in.
Degenerate Minds are known by Fear: And Fate
Makes the audacious Persons fortunate.
She sleeps! Morpheus his heavy hand hath laid,
On the fair Lids of her bright eyes. Il'e kiss
Them open, till those Suns appear
And shall disperse those Clouds.
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My Lord! Bassanes!
You to Clorina are most welcom ever.
Alas! I am deceiv'd: What Spectre's this
That haunts me in Pyrontus shape?
Pyrontus.
It is
No aiery Apparition, but the wretched
Pyrontus self, who hath presum'd to steal
Upon your Privacies.
Clorina.
For Heavens sake go, and never see me more.
Your self you too much trouble, and expose
Me (whether I will or no) to so much Ignomimy
By this Intrusion, that should it be known
My Reputation would be overthrown.
For Heavens sake, hence immediatly retire
Without a word.
Pyron.
Have you no pitty yet?
Clorina.
Have you no Goodness?
No care, and no Respect for a poor woman?
A Married one, and your Friend's Wife? You gods
Deliver me (in safety) from this Monster.
Men have exil'd all Piety from their hearts,
I must not hope for any succour from them.
Fie, fie Pyrontus! if you have not made
A league with hell, and mischief, vanish streight,
And purge your foul Soul by sincere Repentance.
Pyron.
Are you of so supream a Beauty, that
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The fairest of women kind (I think I may
Say, Venus self doth want of your Perfections)
And can you harbour so severe a mind,
Within so rich a body? Give a Period
To your long Cruelty, and mercy shew.
Clorina.
You blast me with your words, study my Ruine.
Pyron.
Dearest Clorina! Have a Milder thought
Of my immense affection. In a body
(By Nature's liberall hand fram'd to a wonder)
Lodge not a soul for ever voide of pitty;
Slight not my knees thus bow'd to move a tenderness,
In your so long inexorable heart;
Neither despise my tears; which thus I power
A sacrifice to your disdain: No longer
Attire your heart in Robes of Salvageness,
Armour impenetrably cold. Oh! Mollify it
With the Remembrance of the assiduous service
That I have paid you, upon all Occasions.
Enter Bassanes, and Marullus below.
Bassa.
Marullus! I have pas'd my word to make
This Afternoon a Visit to Spinella.
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You will not so discourteous be I know.
Your friend Pyrontus (as I herd within)
Is come to see you, and is in the Garden.
It seems he is retir'd into some of
The solitary walkes; being out of sight.
Bassa.
Faithfull Marullus! I will not conceal
A thought from you that doth disturb my Breast.
He's to our Friendship false, loves my Clorina,
And (if he hath not yet) intends to tempt her
By his leud Courtship to incontinent Life.
Because to day I meant to go unto
Cypassi's house, I've lock'd her in her Chamber,
To prevent him of his wild Aimes.
Marullus.
I think
I hear his voice in the next Ally to us
Bassa.
My wife is with him: Her tongue I'm well acquainted with.
Mar.
It seems they are together.
Bassa.
Hear stands a Ladder at her Chamber window,
How came it hither! Hark—O monstrous villany,
He by it is got up into her Chamber:
I am betraid; Marullus basely injur'd.
Forsake me not (my Friend) in my adversity,
Remove the Ladder saufely without noise.
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And so escapes; And this great Trechery,
(By both of them) be impudently denied.
So, so, tis done without discovery.
Lay it down there or any where, I now
Will go and make a Third in her leud Lodging.
Mar.
But my best Friend! noble Bassanes! let not
A rash impatience move you to say,
Or to act any thing unworthy you.
Bassa.
You need not fear me.
Exit.
Mar.
This is an Accident so strange, I care not
Consider it without astonishment.
If these the Fruits of Marriage be: high Heaven
Be prais'd that I have liv'd a Batcheler.
Boast not hence forth you women, of your wealths
Or Beauties: For if you make no better Proof,
You bring an Hell, in Dowry to your Husbands.
Bassanes unlocks the door above and enters there.
Clorina.
My Husband's come. Oh you have ruin'd me,
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Bassa.
Thou beast! unworthy of the name of man,
Much more unworthy of the name of Friend!
Thy Crime so great is, that I need not lose
A Minute in hearing Lies for thy Excuse.
Kills him.
Dye; and go rinsh in vain thy so polluted
Soul, in the flaming streams of Phlegeton.
Pyron.
Let my last words (for they are perfect trueth)
Find Credit with you. Your Clorina's chast
I here surpris'd her when she was asleepe.
Bassa.
He's sunk to Hell. Now my leud Huswife come:
I'le find another Room for your disports,
Thy unclean Body shall no more infect
My Nuptiall Bed.
Clorina.
Protect, Oh Gratious gods! my Innocence.
Bassanes.
Walk in Marullus. I have suffer'd wrong:
And this Adultress Justice shall, ere long.
Exeunt Omnes.
| The Tragedy of Ovid | |