University of Virginia Library

Act. V.

FATYMA's Funerall passes over the Stage; Six Virgins bearers.
ABBAS, MAHOMET ALLY-BEG, BELTAZAR, FLORADELLA, OLYMPA, EARINA, &c. Chief Mourners.

A Funerall ELEGIE, sung to the Harp.
Grief and Horror seize on all,
From the Suns rise to his fall.
But in in sighs no breath be spent,
No voice heard but to lament,
In each face the cause is read,
FATYMA and Beauty's dead.
SOL, disturb not sorrows night
She gone, none deserves thy light.
And ther's none now whose eye may
Bright as hers did gild thy Ray.
Birds, that did your songs forbear,
Hers with more delight to hear,
And did still expecting stand
Notes from her voice, meat her hand,
You again may sing alone,
You'l be heard now she is gone.
To her name your voices set,
And ne'r sing a note but that.
Flowers, droop your leaves and wither,
You no more her hand shall gather.
Wither, wither, for there's none
Worth a Garland, she being gone.
Water Nymphs, that in a maze
Oft have stopt your sports to gaze
At her sitting on your banks,
Or else tripping ore their cranks,
In a Dance, with odorous feet,
And a grace as VENUS sweet,
Weep her losse: weep, more you'l ne'r
See your selves out-done by her.
Weep till you thaw: melting, mourn,
Till into your streams you turn.
Winds, let sighs henceforth consume yee,
Her breath shall no more perfume yee.
Be astonish'd thou O Earth,
Thou hast lost thy fairest birth.
See! see! all the charm obey!
Into night is shrunk the day.
The Sun mourns, or, to judge right
He wants her to give him light.
Birds have learnt her name, and now
Hark! they sing't on every bough.
Of the flowers some decay,
Others wither quite away,
Or if any beauty have
Still, they keep it for her grave.
Grief has turn'd the Primrose pale,
Lillies droop, and all bewail:
Down the Violet hangs her head,
All the Roses tears have shed;
Cups full have each Daffadil:
Down along the cheeks they trill
Of the rest, and trembling there
Hang, true Pearles for sorrows wear.
Fountains weep, winds sigh her fall:
Earth is stupified withall.
Onely Gods from grief refrain,
Since earths losse is Heavens gain.
For since she arriv'd at Heaven
Now the Graces number's even.

Abb.
No more let bold Philosophers denie
That Vertues are from Nature since here lies
An heap of Beauties, with more graces born
Then Education or Art ere gave
The longest liver. Once a divine soul
Inform'd that curious Body, and so acted
It to all good, that Heaven envied Earth
Th'enjoyment of it, therefore took it home
As bright as when she lent it the fair modell,
And now it shines the brightest star she has.
But why, so soon, good Heaven, hast dispossess'd
Earth of her glory? Is' because you mean
To call the Chaos back again, and she
The soul oth'world must first be tane away?
Day must depart before foul night can come?
Or fail'd your Power? could you not make the summer
And Autumn of her Age as glorious
As her sweet Spring, and so destroy'd it quite?
Or doubted you she would engrosse all hearts,
All loves? and make us think there was no Heaven,
No Paradise but her, and her sweet favour,
So, jealous of your Honour, took her hence?
No, but now that her viper Father had
Given up his name to mischief and Rebellion,
That all that's good of him might fall, she must:
And fall his crime: but O that crime alone
Had he no more, should sink his monstrous head
Below the deepest Hell, I punish him
Not now for crimes committed against me,
But 'gainst himself; these I could have forgiven,
And Nature almost now had won me to it,
But this dire murder of my joy and comfort,
Has chas't away all pitty from my thoughts,
And arm'd my heart and hand with torments for him.
Who will not crush the worme that eats his Rose?
Goe FARRABAN, lade the inhumane Monster
With pondrous chains as heavy as his guilt:
Remove all comforts from him: pine his carkasse,
Till his own flesh be his abhorred food,
He may as well devour that as this; O
Tell him we'l study Torments for him, Torments
Witty and requisite, as he wishes us.
Deliver th'message to him in words, fit
For a just anger, great as ours is
'Twill be some comfort to this innocents soul
To see her murderers blood poured upon
Her divine ashes: Pardon, glorious Ghost,
(For now devotion's due to thy bright lustre)
That we mix with thy sacred dust a blood
So tainted: yet 'tis but thy sacrifice.—
You FARRABAN, see SOFFIE be regain'd
Again, you'd best: I wonder at your neglect
Of care to guard so great Prisoner.

Far.
My Liege, I'th uproar when the guards were all
Employ'd to stop the Princes frantick rage,
He made escape.

Abb.
Well, see he be sought out.—
Lead on, and enrich Earth with Heavens envy.

MIRZA,
PAGE.
Great NEMESIS! now have I sacrific'd
To thee the best of Creatures Persia had;
If the old Tyrant feeleth but the wound,
I have mine ends, and thou a feast of blood.

Pag.
But sir, I fear the blow you gave through her
Will fall most heavy on your self: and make
Him more incens'd.

Mir.
So he but feels a grief,
I'l triumph in my pains, and scorn his worst.

MIRZA,
PAGE, FARRABAN.
Who's that?

Pag.
'Tis FARRABAN, and in his looks
I see Revenge and Torments threatned.

Mir.
Tut!

Far.
Sir, the King –

Mir.
Peace, thou most impudent tongue,
Call him not King, but dotard Tyrant, Serpent,
Go on.

Far.
Commands me to deliver's wrath
To you in thunder: Pardon the messenger,
He threats you with Strapadoes, Famine, Tortures
Cunning and cruell, for your dire deed.

Mir.
I thank his Tyrantship; return thou him
From me many curses: but how took he
His minions death?

Far.
As he would do the sight
Of his own Executioner, heavily.
His life-blood seem'd to stream from's aged eyes,
Horror to seize his Limbs, and grief his soul.
He tore his silver hair, beat's reverend breast,
Threw himself prostrate on the loved body,
And curs'd his starrs: the killing newes is like
To do as much for him, as for the old
PANDION the like act of PROGNE's did.
He slights his meat, seems wholly given over
To sorrow and revenge.

Mir.
Io, Io, PÆAN!
Sing victory, sing victory, my soul,
I'm Conquerour: I've vanquish't the stern Tyrant
In a great deed, 'bove th'horror of his own.
Now I can make him grieve, I'le make him bleed,
Bleed next, dog Goaler, bleed his damned soul
To air, which will turn to Pestilence,
And poyson, and infect the cursed world.
He has but yet a tast of what i'l do.

Far.
Sir, sir, we'l keep you from all further outrage.

Pag.
Be civill, villain, to your Royal Master.

Far.
He must excuse me, I'm but an Officer.

Mir.
O'th Devills.—Traytor, do thy drudgery.

Far.
He has commanded me to load your limbs
With weighty gyves, and famish your stout stomach

Pag.
The Devill has.

Mir.
His gyves are ornaments
To me: and Famine, that I fear not slave,
I'l feed on my revenge. Come bring thy fetters,
I will adore them as a lover does
His Ladies favours.

Pag.
Sir, Exasperate
Not Tyranny.

Mir.
Sweet youth, be patient,
I'l teach thee courage. Hangman come, your chaines,
I'le follow you by your sent. Beare-ward, to have them.

EMANGOLY,
HYDASPUS, VASCO,
Horror! that the brave Prince should ever do
So cruell a deed! but what can't sense of wrongs
And thirst of revenge force a great mind to!
Yet shall this stop our grand design no longer.
Now for the King. HYDASPUS, you say SOFFIE
Is at METHICULI's Farme, without the Town?—
What is't you study of?

Hyd.
My Lord?—yes, yes,
He is,—My Lord, I was even stricken dumb
With the discoveries you've made.

Ema.
O great, and
Horrid they are: by this the hellish Counsell
Is upon meeting; sure their hour's near?

Vas.
'Tis come my Lord.

Ema.
Come then HYDASPUS you'l
Accompany me to th'King.

Hyd.
You know, my Lord,
We are forbidden.

Ema.
What then? for his good,
And to save Persia, what is our lives hazard?

Hyd.
They can't be better spent, i'l wait your Grace.

Ema.
But not a word where SOFFIE is as yet.

ABBAS,
PAGE.
Fatyma murder'd! all my joyes are fled!
Fled in a moment! Pageant of Earths greatnesse!
I that was erst ador'd, great in an Army,
Strong in a valiant Son, and happy in
The fair hopes of two brave Grandchildren,
Am now forlorne in all: my Army broken,
A base peace made for which all brave men loath me,
One of my Grandchildren, hope of my Crown,
Fled, but O whither? that's unknown to me,
The other dead, dead, and worse, murdered
By her own Father, ah unnaturall Father!
But yet not more unnaturall then my self,
Us'd I not him so? and should he not be
As dear to me as she to him? I did,
I did, O mischief of credulity!
And causelesse jealousie! would all my fears
Had happened, so I were guiltlesse still.
It then had been his fault, not mine. O heart!

Pag.
May't please you, sir, my Lords, EMANGOLY
And HYDASPUS do strongly plead without
For Audience of your Majestie, shall they enter?

Abb.
Have I not banish'd them my Presence? well,
They die for breach of the command, if they
Prove not their innocence: Let them enter, i'l
Have now an ear for both parts; I will never
Punish more on bare hearsay,—Guard, attend us.

ABBAS,
EMANGOLY, HYDASPUS, GUARD.
How dare you thus intrude into my presence?
Must I forbid you, and my strict commands
Be slighted thus? you rush upon your ruine.

Ema.
Sir, were we conscious to our selves of any
The least neglect unto your just commands,
We'd fly your sight as doth the Owl the Suns,
And seek out corners for our Treasons safety,
But when we dare defie black Calumny,
We know not why we should not venture to you
To warn you of your safety, now at stake.

Abb.
At stake! as how?

Hyd.
If there be any fault
In us, examine it in fitter time,
And spare it not, but study punnishments
New and exemplary to plague us with,
At least, at present, mind to save your Crown,
Your Realms, your life, and all your Progenie.

Abb.
What Pageant's this!

Ema:
No Pageant, Sir in short.
You are betray'd, and MAHOMET's the Traytor.

Abb.
What envy dares traduce him? then my heart's
False to my head.

Ema.
Sir, if I prove it not,
Dissect me into Atomes, torture me,
And fix eternall infamy on my name.

Abb.
Produce your proofes.

Ema.
Your Highnesse lately stood
A Bulwark to your friends, a terror to
Your Enemies, you had a Royall Army
Commanded by a noble Son, and though
I say't, a faithfull Generall, and Officers
Trusty as truth it selfe, while these stood firm
In your esteem, as they deserved well,
(For what have your brave Son, and my poor self
Not done, that men could do, for your just honour?
You do not hold one Scepter in your hand,
But such as we have put there, or else kept
From being torn away:) whilst these I say
Had power with you, not your proudest foes
Or Treason had a tongue or hand to hurt you;
But we must fall, that they may rise, upon
Yours, and our ruines, and your credulity
Has given them way: pardon the plainnesse, sir.

Abb.
Go on, go on.

Ema.
Sir, it was your misfortune
T'advance the impudent pleasant ALLYBEG
To such a dangerous height as made him giddy,
And mad with pride: he is the very person
That having got your ear, wrought all our ruines,
Intending yours: which thus he acts; first having
Obtain'd the Princes fall, disbanded th'Army;
He has consulted with the mal-contents
T'advance himself: has rais'd a bank of money,
And now is levying of a Guard—

Abb.
That Guard
On second thoughts I fear'd.

Hyd.
As well you might.

Abb.
Well, who are of his party?

Ema.
His pretence
Is specious (as all Traytors must be) so
He has allured some innocent Persons to him
(For such we yet are willing to believe them)
As ELCHEE, who yet owes you a Grudge,
And so's the fitter for his purpose; he
Ingag'd MATZED, MOZENDRA, and BENEFIAN,
MATZED is levying in Hyrcania,
But privatly, as the rest here in Town.
These credit his pretence, which onely is
To rescue th'Prince, and be made Guardian
To SOFFIE, when he indeed intends
To murder you, the Prince, and SOFFIE—

Abb.
What's this, you say?—

Ema.
Nay, good sir, hear me out.
He means himself our King too and his Queen
FLORADELLA, (she at least believes so)
For she was usefull for him to gain you
To this advancement, and the Princes fall,
And rich to help his bank, and has engag'd
OLYMPA, EARINA, and Madam OMAY,
All these we know, besides who else as yet
We've not discovered. But his confidents
Are FARRABAN and the smooth tongu'd SELEUCUS
He at this present gathers force in Shiras
The other holds the Castle at his pleasure.

Abb.
If this be so, themselves convey'd away
Young SOFFIE, I pray JOVE not to Heaven.

Hyd.
That, time will prove, we speak but what wee know.

Abb.
How came you by the knowledge of thus much?

Ema.
My Lord, my Servant VASCO has made love
Long time to CLOE, FLORADELLA'S woman,
And she has heard him not unwillingly:
It first came out by her who boasted it
To him, as an addition to her fortune.

Abb.
This makes me doubt the rest: sure ALLYBEG
Has more brain then to trust such high designes
To whores and waiting women; Sives, that let
All things run through them, be they ne'r so precious.

Ema.
Sir, she's the closet of her Ladies secrets,
'Tis like she had this knowledge from her chiefly.

Abb.
By some especiall providence: O Gods!
How have we sinn'd! that you upbraid us thus
T'indebt us for our safeties to such low
Vile things! as if the basest instrument
Were good enough to save so corrupt a state!
But Rome thrice ow'd her life to as vile trash,
Once to a common Harlot, twice to Geese.
Wise Heaven can make good work with any tool.
But this me thinks requires pregnant proof,
Ere it gains my belief, as now my horror.

Ema.
First, we attest it sir, next, your own eyes
And ears may be your certain witnesses.
Fail you they cannot: clap a Guard on us,
Send but another Guard to OMAY'S House,
There may you apprehend most of the Traitors,
There at this instant hold they their black counsell.

Abb.
No lie can bee avouch't with thus much forehead.
EMANGOLY, thou hast deserv'd much of me,
And you HYDASPUS; first we cry you mercy,
For our too much rigour to you both,
Wee'l study an amends, if this be true,
If not, you both die without further process.

Ema.
Sir, be it so.

Hyd.
Yes, so my Liege we'd have it.

Abb.
Come then, our selfe will goe to OMAY'S house,
'Tis worth our pains, you shall attend me thither.

Ema.
Your Majestie still meets our wishes neerer.

Abb.
Is BELTAZAR engag'd?

Ema.
No surely sir,
We believe him too honest, and a spirit
Too great to truckle to base ALLYBEG,
Though he had the mis-fortune to be us'd
I'th Princes ruine, we might see regret,
And an unwillingnesse in him to th'action.

Abb.
He did indeed, I think obey for fear;
Nor did he more then what our own commands
Did urge, so we've no ground for wrath to him;
Him then we'l keep in favour still, and call
T'attend us to unkennell the base Fox.
First send for FARRABAN, and make him sure,
Then plant a Guard upon the Cittadell.

Ema.
It will be best sir.

Abb.
Guard attend us here.

FLORADELLA,
OLYMPA, EARINA, OMAY, CLOE.
Women are still most forward in great actions.
I wonder yet none of the Lords are come.

Oly.
All in Good time Madam—'tis a close day,
Me thinks it 'bodes not well, I like it not.

Flo.
The day is as it should be, close and dark,
And fittest for our Plot that must be secret.

Ear.
The Sun perhaps mourns for poor FATYMA.

Oly.
O that sad accident takes up my mind,
I'm almost statue still.

Oma.
'Twas sad and cruell.

Flo.
Ladies, you see 'tis more then time we help
Poor Persia from ruining her selfe,
To which she hasts amaine.—

Clo.
Madam, my Lords.

MAHOMET-ALLY-BEG,
ELCHEE, MOZENDRA, BENEFIAN, FLORADELLA, OLYMPA, EARINA, OMAY, CLOE.
Save you Ladies.

Elc.
Hail beauties all a-row.

Flo.
Hail Persia's Genius.

Oly.
Hail my honour'd Lord.

Mah.
Are we all here?

Moz.
I see not FARRABAN.

Elc.
FARRABAN wanting!

Mah.
What makes him so slow!

Flo.
Slow, y'are all Snails to us, you must confesse
The Ladies still most active: we'l not lose
Our shares of glory.

Elc.
FARRABAN not here!
I like it not.

Flo.
My Lord, he's gain'd already.

Ear.
So we are all I hope.

Flo.
I'l engage for him,
What you here order him, he shall be ready
Upon first intimation to perform.
He may be busie searching SOFFIE up,
You heard the Kings threats if he were not found.

Mah.
Would he were found.

Flo.
Let not that trouble you.
If we cannot recover him, give out
He is baptiz'd, and so incapable;
'Tis no new way, in India, ASSAPH did it,
And well it took.—My Lord, you are not cheerfull.

Elc.
MAHOMET'S troubled.

Oly.
'Tis for PARRABAN.

[To Olym.
Ben.
What! doe's my Lord Court her, to be her Guardian?
[To Moz.
Now had I rather talke of Love and Court-ship
To EARINA then these state-affaires.
How well she looks!

Moz.
Fie, Flesh-flie, hold your peace.

[Secret.
Flo.
My Lord, I hope you flag not? will you saile
[To Mah.
Bravely three quarters of your course, out-ride
Many a storm, break thousand raging waves,
And then sink in the Haven?

Mah.
My soul is dull,
And dreads some treachery; never till now
Knew I what 'twas to fear.

Flo.
Come, sacrifice
To confidence, she'l carry you through all;
I'l promise largely when we come to th'Loane,
More then you must expect to bring them on.

Ear.
But sure we came not here to whisper, sirs.

Oma.
No, I did think our businesse had been publique.

Mah.
Rouze my dull soul—Publique indeed it is,
And private too it must be, the Consult
Private, the benefit most publique shall be—

Flo.
Now he's himselfe againe. Death! dead ith'nest!

[aside.
Mah.
And reach to all: old men shall owe that short
Portion of life by natures course they hold,
And reverend Matrons their white age, to us:
Those shall thank us, they see their manly Sons,
Spend in soft exercise their peacefull time,
And that themselves sit in their chimny-corners,
Telling the loved stories of their youth,
And feel not at their wither'd throats the swords
Of foes, to force them to detect their wealth;
And these, that they enjoy their blooming daughters
Unravished, and see their Grand-children
Come skipping on their aged knees, and not
Sprawling upon the Enemies hostile Speares.
The Nurse shall owe to us, that her dear childe
Doth suck her milk still, and not she its blood,
So to sustaine a while her famish'd soul.
The Gods shall be indebted unto us,
That still their Temples stand, and do not crack
In sacrilegious flames; the Genius
Of every City, that he is not forc'd
To leave his walk, or wander 'bout the ruines:
The dead that fury ransack not their Urnes,
And puffe their ashes in the face of light:
Th'unborn, that we procur'd them time to ripen,
And that they fell not, blasted ere they blow'd.
The benefit shall to the meanest Swaine
Extend, that toyls in the Parmenian fields,
And farthest parts the Persian name doth reach,
To us his morning, and his evening thanks,
Shall he ere pay, for that his wretched eyes
See not the battering hoofs of wastfull Troops
Trample his hopefull Corne, and springing grasse,
For that the sheafes ar'nt from his reaping hand
Torn by the Foe, nor his full Barns blaze high
With dreadfull flames, nor stalled Cattel low
Under the plundering Souldiers hungry blade;
For that the hated noise of bellowing Drums,
Fright him not from his Plough with fear of pressing.

Ben.
He shepheardesses thanks might promise too,
For having time to sing still, and make Chaplets.

To Moz. in secret.
Moz.
Those thanks shall you reap.

Ben.
Those I chiefly covet,
I soon can tell them how they may requite me.

Mah.
This generall good must unto all accrue,
By our incountring of that violent torrent
Of ruine, that flows strongly towards all,
And will ore-whelm us, if not stopt in time.
Is not our aged King (alas!) given up
To dotage, and unneedful jealousie?
Has he not cast down his chiefe prop, the Prince?
Disbanded his strong Armies? so the Empire
Lies open to her Foes, like as a Vineyard
To the wild beasts, its fence being trodden down.—

Elc.
Princes were given to defend their subjects,
If he'l quit the Protection of us,
Yet must not we quit our own safeties.

Mah.
True,
Doth not the royall stock decay apace?
One of the best and fairest branches of it,
Is torn away to death—

Oly.
O that the Tyrants
Selfe had excused her!—

Mah.
An act so horrid,
The Sun ne'r shin'd out since, but hid for shame
His face with clouds; the other forc'd to hide,
Perhaps in some foul shed, poor and forlorn,
His innocent head, from his hard Grand-father,
And injur'd Sire, and yet he is our hope.
Pines not the Prince, whose fight no foe could 'bide,
Without his fight, in a condition
Beneath the merit of the greatest foe?
Melts not the sweetest Princesse in the world,
In her own tears? she, worth a brighter fortune
Then Earth can give her, yet abides the worst.—

Ear
So much the worse, as fallen from best.

Mah.
You Ladies should resent this most of all.—

Oma.
Who doth not, hath no sence.

Ear.
No soul.

Flo.
No honour.

Mah.
Yet the old King's so fast in his dead sleep,
So lost in his strong Lethargy, he feels,
Nor sees, at least regards, nothing of this.
I'st then not time to 'wake him, and to stop
The gulph of ruine that thus opes and gapes
To swallow us all in its hollow entrailes?—
I see it in your faces, you all think
It more then time; nor let the cure seem harsh:
No lesse then fire, cauterizing, searing,
Can salve this sore; tis Arms I mean must do it;
We must cast Rampants 'gainst so strong a tide,
Nor think't at all unjust; “That War is just
“That's necessary, and those arms religious,
“When there's no hope left otherwise but in them.
The Prince restor'd, the King once shewn his error,
SOFFIE return'd to safety, how will all
Applaud the Actors! what is there you wish,
But will flow in unto you with advantage!
Your greatest thoughts will be accomplished,
As easily as desir'd. Would you my Lord
ELCHEE, requite your selfe for th'injury
Late done to you? now, now's the time to do it.

Elc.
I see, nor will let slip the fair occasion.

Mah.
Would you, MOZENDRA, arrive at th'hopes
You, I know, have, of things worthy your merit,
And daring soul? this, this is the way.

Moz.
I shall improve the opportunity.

Mah.
Would you, BENEFIAN, render your self
Worthy, as the addition that honours,
And fair estate can make you, (and they're great
In womens eyes) to teach the bravest Lady
Ith'Persian Court to give and take a flame,
(For you, they say, are amorous) now's the time.

Ben.
And I will strike, Sir, whilst the Iron's hot.
He 'has taken me in the right vein i'faith.

Mah.
And is there any thing that you, sweet Ladies,
Can on your Pillows wish for? now command it.—

Flo.
As ther's no Lady sure but has her longings.

Mah.
Is there a seat in all the Empire
Fairer then other? or an air cooler?
Before your feet that place shall spread its self,
And court you to accept it. Is there ever
A Knight, or smooth chin'd youth your eye commends
Unto your heart? he is your ready servant.—

Oma.
And we may hap employ that priviledge.

Mah.
Are your thoughts higher? would you make your fortunes
Even with your beauties, equall unto Princes,
Fit for to meet with crowned Monarchs loves?
This is the way t'atchieve all these, and more:
To be, alive great Queens and dead, bright starrs.
You shall be call'd the Saviours of your Country,
A name more dear then Monarch, the sole honour
O'th'present age, the grand obligers of
The next, and MAHOMET, your humble servant.

Flo.
Admir'd height of Policy, and Courtship?

Mah.
Cast then, sweet Beauties to so great a work
But your lose Ornaments, and receive greater.
Borrow but of your fair ear a Pendent,
A Carkanet of your Neck, or of your brest
A Gem, and be return'd more then a Crown.
And you brave Knights, shine forth in brandish'd steel,
Like to so many Gods of war, and be
Ador'd as he is Nor can I expresse
(Such is the dearth and poverty of words)
With how much dearnesse of affection
You'l be received of all loyall hearts.
With what resolution of fidelity!
With how great Piety! with what tears of joy!
Will any Gates dare to be shut against you?
Or any Envy to oppose your Progresse?
Up then, and undertake this brave exploit
With that courage, and those fair hopes, wherewith
Such just great actions are to be attempted,
That under your colours, and protection
Of your Fortune Persia may be
Again ennobled and made more then free.

Elc.
My Lord whilst uttering this, I wish't your voice
Had been as loud as STENIOR'S, or ram'd thunder,
That' t'might been heard through ABBAS thirty Kingdomes,
And strike upon the Centre with an Eccho
Loud as the acclamation it deserves,
It would have done more good then forty Troops
To our great purpose, of which men and money
I take to be chief elements: for men,
My MATZEDS's Levies prosper as our wishes
Design'd them in Hyrcania.

Mah.
And in Larr
SELEUCUS grows as fast: once on their March,
They'l gather like a snow-ball.

Elc.
Here I've gain'd
As many friends as when I can appoint them
A Rendevouz, will make a Regiment.

Mah.
I have as many too, besides my Guard,
To help up which the bounteous FLORADELLA
Disbursed freely.

Flo.
I have yet my Lord,
Fifty thousand Crowns towards the service.

Mah.

And is your purse, sweet Mine, as fathomlesse
as is your wit?—this is a brave example.

Flo.
Sir, my good will.

Oly.
(Shall I go lesse then she?
I will not, though it half undoes me)—Sir,
I have as much at your command.

Flo.
(I knew
She would not be behind me)

Mah.
Excellent Lady!
All I can say, is, you shall pay your self
For your great bounty, with your own desires.

Ear.
(Shall we go below these? they'l scorn us then.)

Oma.
Faith Madam, I can't spare such sums, let you
To Madam Omay.
And I go halfes, and mak't betwixt us then.

[secret.
Ear.
Content.)—My Lord, this Lady, and my selfe.
Between us will bring fifty thousand Crownes.
What we will more we have in our own brests.

Flo.
(Pish, ther's a Jewell at your breast would do't)

Oly.
(They that least need are still the greatest hold-fasts)

Oma.
'Till be the welcomer that comes unlook'd for.

Mah.
Y'are bounteous Ladies, and shall shine for this,
Below in story, 'above ith'Firmament.

Ben.
You, Ladies, have done well, but we'l yet more,
Not to extoll our selves, or slight your bounties,
You give but part, we all: you hazzard gold,
We bloud, and sweat, and life, and our gold too.

Mah.
Brave Colonell! this toil shall buy you rest,
And furnish you with stories for your age:
Each skar you get esteem of as a favour
From warrs great Goddesse sent to win you hearts:
Men are not more enamour'd of their beauties,
Then fairest Ladies are of mens known valours.

Oma.
(How hee takes every bird with its owne lure!)

[aside.
Moz.
Where, where shall we begin? I would be at it.

Flo.
Spoke like an Angell!

Mah.
Here in Town I think.

Elc.
Do you intend to seize on the Kings person?

Mah.
What else?

Elc.
Then it were easier done abroad,
If you could train him to some house of pleasure.

Flo.
For that, let me alone; i'le undertake it.

Mah.
He cannot though they grew, pick up a Force
That can made head 'gainst us in time; but should he,
Which is unlike, sure he'd give us conditions.
If we get him, we'l give him Articles
To signe, the effect you know, what else we then
Think fit, we can cast in.

Elc.
Resist! my Lord,
Wrong not your Judgement once to think it can be
Are we not strong enough to force the Guards?

Mah.
Yes sure.

Elc.
Then let JOVE and HERCULES
Come take his part, they too, shall be our Prisoners.

Flo.
Brave fiery Hero!

Mah.
I've a Proclamation
Already drawn, luring as words can make it.

Oly.
Now for the time?

Elc.
What if we presently
Dispatch advice unto our friends abroad
To put themselves upon their march towards us,
And when we know the time they can be with us,
Give our friends here the watchword, and to horse?
All this, I hope, may be sometime to morrow.

Moz.
It may, it may, we by to morrow night
May all be ready, and night's the best time too.

Ben.
The Sun shall see us Conquerors when he rises.

Mah.
Your Counsel's good.

Ben.
But at the hour we rise
The Citadel here must advance your colours.

Mah.
It shall.—Chear up sad mother Persia
We will retrive again thy age of gold,
ASTRÆA shall come down once more, and fix
In thee her fair Tribunall: those impostumes
Rather then children, that broke from thee,
Thy factious sons, I mean shall fall in ruine,
Whilst thy true births shall grace thy happy bosome,
And thou on them bestow a thousand blessings.
Then Treason—

Elc.
Hark! what noise is that?

[a noise without
Oma.
Look out.

Clo.
O heaven! the King and FARRABAN!

Mah.
My soul!
Is he a Traitor!

Ben.
Well, I only came
To contemplate the Ladies beauties.

Oly.
Fly!
Fly all!

Clo.
Alas! the Guards spread all about.

[to them
ABBAS,
EMANGOLY, BELTAYAR, HYDASPUS, VASCO, FARRABAN in irons, GUARD.
Horror! what a dire Conventicle's here!

Ema.
Sir, now you'l credit us.

Abb.
My faithfull friend!
[embraces him
Th'art my good Genius: I must do thee Homage
Both for my life and Crown, I owe all to thee.

Ema.
I'm happy sir, in being usefull to you.

Mah.
Let's yet fall bravely.

Abb.
Stand we here a while
Looking of Treason out of Countenance.
Since we have seen the Basilisk first, no danger
Can he bolt from his fiery eyes: see now
How bloud-shotten! how red with rage they be!

Oly.
We've innocence enough to trust to yet.

Om.
We meant nothing but well to the whole Empire.

Hyd.
So sculks the owle 'fore the Suns golden ray,
As these black souls do at the face of justice.

Elc.
Death! that I saw thee, yet could not scape it.

Bel.
I'me looking on what Rock of Diamond
This house stands, that the weight of so much treason
Hath not yet sunk it.

Elc.
Ah! unhappy me!

Ben.
Madam, if you get free, for sure the King
[to Earina.
Will not extend his wrath even to the Ladies.
Beg me to be your Servant.

Ear.
I my selfe
Would serve in any qualitie to be free.

Oly.
Sure Madam, there was treason among our selves.

Flo.
You may swear it.

Moz.
O I am thunder-struck!

Mah.
A vengeance on the Traitor! this was you
Damn'd Cockatrice.

[To Floradella.
Flo.
Varlot 'twas thy self.

Abb.
So, peal, do, do,

Elc.
I yet fear FARRABAN.

Far.
Alas! my Lord, will not these chains resolve you?

Elc.
Craft, craft all.

Hyd.
Faith, this is no fashion;
He has confess'd enough to hang you all,
But not discover'd.

Mah.
Confess'd!—

Far.
Why should I spend
My last breath in avouching lies and Treason?

Mah.
A bowstring stop that breath—my Liege, we were
Designing—

Abb.
Mischief.—ball not, impudent head!
Ungratefull Monster! cause I raised thee
From they foul dunghil, will no meaner seat
Then a Throne please thee? and mine own too? wretch!
Guard apprehend them, to close Prison with them—

Flo.
Mercy sir, mercy sir.

Oma.
Pardon, mighty Prince.

Abb.
Lest they consult, or pack lies, sever them.

Ear.
Favour at least sir, till our cause be heard.

Ben.
(I'l second her.—Sir, please to hear us speak—

Abb.
Yes, on the rack you shall.

Mah.
Let him put me
In PHALARIS Bull, he shall hear nought but curses.

Clo.
What will become of me! I'm lost on all sides.

Vas.
No, fear not, the discovery shall save you.

Moz.
(I aim'd at a great name, and to transmit
[secret.
My fame down to Posterity, and my fall
Shall do it for me, since my rising failes.
As long the memory of him shall last
That burnt DIANA's Fame, as his that built it.
“Fame follows great deeds be they good or bad.
I'l slight his rage then, and speak boldly to him.)
Sir, who ere was your spie upon our Actions,
Make much of himhe, did you timely service—

Hyd.
O unheard impudence!—slit his windpipe some.

Moz.
The truth is, we intended to take arms,
Not to disthrone you, as you intimate
But to restore the Prince, and make you see
Your error in your unjust anger to him.

Abb.
Peace impudence, the rack shall squeeze out more.

Moz.
Not more then truth, and that you have already.

Elc.
So may we find your favour, as 'tis truth
He tells you, and no farther stretcht our aim.

Abb.
Others did then Guard, bind them, and away.
You may EMANGOLY, and BELTAZAR
Take their Confessions: force from that base serpent
Pointing to Floradella.
Whom I detest to name, the truth by tortures.

Flo.
Would I'd a sting, thou shouldst not fail to feeel it.

Mah.
She's open enough, you need not press her much

Abb.
Use CLOE gently, and perswade her, VASCO,
To detect all.

Vas.
I'l do my best, my Liege.

Abb.
Away with them. HYDASPUS, wait on us,
Double our Guards: we will to sacrifice
To gracious Heaven, and make publique prayer,
That sav'd us from what we knew not to fear

MIRZA,
PAGE.
The Cittadell beset with armed Guards,
Upon what interest as yet unknown!
And I still pining here! and still the Tyrant
Wallows in Luxury! surfets with delights
As far fetcht as dear bought! Hell and Confusion!
DORIDO, faithfull DORIDO, there is yet
Away for thee to help me.

Pag.
For me, sir?
Speak't and enjoy it.

Mir.
Give me a draught of Poyson.

Pag.
Forbid it Heaven.

Mir.
I promis'd FATYMA
I'd follow her, and I will keep my word,
'Twil in some part excuse the wrong I did her,
The sweet soul claims it of me: I ne'r sleep
But still I see her beckning me away.
However DORIDO, had I not better
Die bravely like a Roman, then pine here
A slave? I'le die too, though thou dost not help me,
And bequeath thee a Curse for thy unkindnesse.
In vain they'r forct to live that vow to die,
This CATO Uticensis taught, this PORCIA
His noble Daughter too: and shall the Prince
Of Persia goe to school t'Italian Ladies
To learn Courage? think but of that sweet youth.
Lead me to rest.—

Pag.
Shall I do this, and bear
All his friends curses? no, they'l rather blesse me
For rescuing him from torment; and his foes
Will feel the pangs gnaw them of their own envy.

ABBAS,
EMANGOLY, BELTAYAR, METHICULI, HYDASPUS. ALKAHEM. VASCO.
MAHOMET-ALLYBEG, ELCHEE, MOZENDRA, EARINA, OLYMPA, OMAY, CLOE, Officers, Souldiers, Guard.
First, my EMANGOLY, and you, my Lords
METHICULI, HYDASPUS, ALKAHEM,
We here revoke our sentence against you
Of Banishment, and impower you to sit
With us in judgment, on these dire Delinquents.

Ema.
We thank your Majesty, and glory more
In that we are capable of serving you,
Then in the honour which you grace us with.

Oly.
(They'l complement our lives away at last)

Ben.
(Then we are judg'd already;—wel, th'other day
I studied speeches for the Ladies, now
[secret.
I want one to the People; but,—lets see—
The common place is to avoid ill company.
A curse on these state matters!)

Abb.
Next we here
Degrade that Viper ALLY-BEG from all
Those places, or of publique trust, or Honour,
To which too rashly we advanced him.
Those which he held of yours, EMANGOLY,
We do to you restore.

Ema.
Your Grace shall find
Me faithfull as at first.

Abb.
The Treasurer-ship
We do conferr on you, METHICULI.

Met.
My service, as i'm able, shall requite it.

Mah.
May they requite you as I would have done.

Alk.
Bold Traytor! cannot armed justice awe thee?

Abb.
Now BELTAZAR, produce your proofs against
These criminals.

Bel.
They're guilty all of Treason:
CLOE accuses that impostum'd monster
MAHOMET, to have forg'd the whole conspiracy,
But not without the help of FLORADELLA—

Flo.
(A curse on that loose Gossip.

Mah.
And you too.)

Abb.
Give them no name but Traytors.

Bel.
First they meant
To shift away the Prince, dissolve the Army,
That no force might oppose the Traytors rising.
You Majestie—(the horror of it choaks
My utterance)—your sacred Majestie—

Mah.
So, try again.

Bel.
This viperous woman should
Have poysoned.—

Mah.
So, now 'tis out—would she had.

Bel.
And FARRABAN, SOFFIE, then held the Castle,
At the devotion of this monstrous man,
Who aim'd to set the Crown on his own head,
Having already gotten a strong Guard,
Towards which that strumpet did disburse a Mass
Of ready Treasure, making still her Purse
As common to him, as her wicked body.—

Flo.
You might preserve the modesty of the Court.

Bel.
To this end be their Levies afoot too;
In Larr SELEUCUS, MATZED in Hyrcania,
Are raising Forces; so that this lewd woman,
And FARRABAN, and sly SELEUCUS, were
Chiefe complices, that knew his utmost aime;
The other we believe drawn in, as onely
Crediting his pretence to free the Prince,
And MATZED'S Levies are on ELCHEE'S score.

Elc.
Urge that my Lord.

Oly. Oma. Ear.
Yes, yes, sir, urge that home.

Abb.
Monster, what say you? knew the rest you meant
Your selfe their King?

Mah.
They knew as much as I did.

Oly.
'Tis false.

Moz.
That thou wert worthy but to bear
A Sword, that I might claim the combat 'gainst thee
I'd write it on thy heart, in stabbes, thou lyest.

Mah.
A brave Rodomantado!

Hyd.
This vile man,
Given up to Treason late, and now despaire,
Accuses these but to have company
In's fall.

Ben.
True my good Lord—Come, you and I
Were Comrades once.

Ema.
This I indeed believe.

Mah.
The more the merrier.

Moz.
Hear my gracious Lord,
He intimates as much before your Grace.

Elc.
(What if I say I levyed in Hyrcania,
To Mozendra.
With an intent to help the King, and ballance
MAHOMETS strength, having the greater hopes
For doing him service so unexpected?

Moz.
'Twill gaine no faith: and then 'twas Treason too,
[Secret.
To list without Commission: know your doom first,
If you fall, urge it: some will credit you,
'Twill beget pitty to your memory
I'th'vulgar, who are still fond of the wretched.)

Alk.
These persons could not be so lost to sence.
Being noble, as t'advance so vile a thing
Over themselves.

Oly.
We scorn him for our Groom.

Hyd.
His envy and his rage will peal us too
Anon, I think.

Met.
How strong is malice in thee,
Pernicious wretch! thou car'dst not how foul
Thy Treasons were on earth, nor weighst thou now
How great thy plagues for them shall be in hell.

Bel.
Disburden yet thy soul of so much guilt,
And speak these innocent in what they are so.

Mah.
Your selfe's not innocent, good Rhetorician.—

Hyd.
I thought so, slit his impudent throat some body.

Mah.
You did, as much as I, exasperate
The King against his Son.

Bel.
If this be true,
I here beseech your Grace command me stand
Among the Traytors:—Come come, Officers, bind
My hands, I am accused here of treason

Abb.
You, more then feignedly, did act his friend,
And O that I had heard your pregnant reasons,
So urg'd to save him with an equall eare!

Bel.
Heaven knows, I urg'd them strongly as I durst.

Mah.
The Tyrant's selfe's not innocent.—

Alk.
Bold head!

Mah.
He's guilty of his Sonnes blood, and FATYMA'S too.
I was but's instrument.

Met.
O extasie!

Abb.
Varlet, the guilt is thine, though the grief mine,
That I gave faith unto thy forgeries.
Proceed Lord BELTAZAR.

Bel.
Sir, hoping these
May yet be worthy of your timely mercy;
What have I but t'inveigh against those other?
Look up, fair Mother Persia, and see
Thy selfe redeem'd, put off the horrid fright,
Thy plotted ruine late amaz'd thee with.
Now shall not thy fair breast be stained with
Thy best Sons blood, but freed of thy worst.
Had this gone on, th'hadst been but thine own prey,
Th'hadst seen thy Prince that toyl'd so oft for thee,
Groaning his soul out into empty air,
The hopeful blossom nipt as soon as blown;
Thy aged King swell'd up with deadly poyson,
And burning as in Ætna till he'd burst:
And impious MAHOMET upon thy Throne,
Unworthy of thy Gallies; and this strumpet,
His fine loose Queen.—

Mah.
That yet I never meant.

Flo.
The more wretch thou, so oft to swear it to me.

Mah.
The more fool thou though, ever to believe me.

Bel.
Thy noblest Sons torn, some to cruell death,
And some to servile misery, worse then that;
This was the sight prepared for thine eyes.

Mah.
And it had been a brave one.

Abb.
Cursed monster!
No sence of guilt? no teares! can no remorse
Touch thy scar'd Conscience?

Mah.
Yes, I see my guilt;
Guilty of folly I am, to trust a woman
To keep for me, what for her self she cannot,
A secret; tears I could profusedly shed,
Tears of just wrath, and for each one that drops,
Afford a curse too, that I sped no better.
I'de spend my soul in sighs, could they but scald thee:
To be so near a Crown, and reach it not!
O Hell and Furies!

Abb.
In thy soul they're all.

Ema.
Proceed to judgement sir.

Mah.
Tyrant, remember,
In me thou judgest thy own Cause; I meant
No more to thee, then thou didst to thy Father,
And brother too, and that for the same reason.

Ema.
Prodigious boldnesse! sir, regard him not.

Abb.
Monster, since thou hast toyl'd to be ungrateful,
And with thy Treasons to out-vie my favours,
To let thee die were too much pitty to thee,
Nor is there a death equall to thy guilt;
Besides, we having so much honoured thee,
And sworn thou ne'r shouldst feel death from our hand,
We'l keep our Oath, but leave it to our Heir,
A strict command, that on my funerall day
Thou dyest the ancient death of boats.

Mal.
Then have I
Great MITHRIDATES for my pattern.

Abb.
Mean while,
Officers, lead him to the publique market,
There let the common Hangman bore his eyes out.
In a Dungeon shall he sustain his life,
With what he gets by begging onely.

Mah.
Nay,
I'l then sustain my soul with full mouth'd curses,
To thee meant, and the rest of my undoers,
Especially that open Sex, whose souls are
So loose, they cannot keep them in their breasts,
But they will still swim on their lips.

Abb.
VASCO,
To thee we do decree his whole Estate,
And our best thanks for thy discovery.

Vas.
I humbly thank your Majestie.

Abb.
Let Souldiers
Go pull down all his Palaces and Statues,
And make a Jakes there where his chief house stood.

Ema.
Admired Justice!

Omnes.
Equall, equall, Justice!

Mah.
Do, do, ball on.

Abb.
You, strumpet, are the next.

Mah.
But that I scorn to ask it, might I heare
Her sentence, and I'de triumph in mine own.

Flo.
Envious villaine.

Abb.
Away with him, he shall not
Give so much pleasure to his envious soul.

Mah.
Write on my dust, IN HIGH ATTEMPTS HE DY'D.
All ills betide you.—

Abb.
Lead that impious wretch
To th'publique Market, & there beat her brains out,
Ith'ancient way ordain'd for Poysoners:
As for the murder of her Queen STATIRA,
Base GIGIS dy'd, then burn her limbs with Cats dung.

Flo.
Mercy! great sir.

Abb.
Thou hast too much in dying,
But that we are not rigorous to thy Sex.—
Away with her.

Flo.
O this is a sad fall.

Abb.
All her Estate to CLOE we confer;
'Tis fit she have reward t'incourage others,
Though she not meant to do us good, she did it.

Clo.
Indeed my Gracious Lord, I ever meant it,
I humbly thank your Majestie.

Vas.
See now, CLOE,
[Secret.
I counsell'd you for th'best. Come, I'm still constant,
Our businesse here is over, we'l to better.

Abb.
Take FARRABAN with the rest, and strangle him.

Far.
O mercy, mercy!

Abb.
Quick, away with him.

Far.
The Citadell cost me faire; O dire ambition!

Abb.
The Citadel we give thee ALKAHEM.

Alk.
I hope to do you better service in it.

Abb.
We doubt it not.—Now ELCHEE.

Ben.
(Now, now,
I feel the Bow-string at my throat.

Moz.
Nay sure,
[Secret.
He'l let us die like Souldiers.)

Abb.
Though we credit
The good of your intention, yet your life,
Is by your hasty error forfeited,
But that we give you, and confine you onely
To th'Ile of Ormus, whence on good behaviour,
We may recall you.

Elc.
Thanks dread Soveraigne.
I hope my carriage will induce you to it.
My feare was never so great of your justice,
As griefe for the rash error I ran into,
And so insnar'd my friends.

Met.
Troth, I believe him.

Ben.
Sure he'l send us thither too? MOZENDRA,
Are there any handsome Ladies there, canst tell?

Moz.
I care not so there be a Book, I'l never
[Secret.
Converse but with the dead hereafter I.

Ema.
This true repentance speaks him noble.

Abb.
Yes,
Your two friends shall attend you.

Elc.
A noble mercy.

Moz.
Long live the Gracious ABBAS!

Ben.
More then live!

Met.
My Lord, my love to you remaines still firm,
To Elchee.
And eggs me on to prompt a way unto you,
How you may happily avoid exilement.
[Secret.
The Kings rigour, I know, will not extend
To th'Ladies lives, yet in the fright they stand in,
They will do any thing may get them mercy:
Urge them to promise, if they have their lives
To give the King in gratitude, those summes
They ingag'd for to the Traytors; then be you
Their speaker to him, and he can't in honour
(Urg'd by my meditation) but receive
The favour as from you, and shew you grace.

Elc.
My Lord my humble thanks, I will attempt it.

Abb.
But MATZED, for examples sake must die,
Elchee whispers with the Ladies
Being ith'very act of Treason, raising
Of Arms against us: You my Lord HYDASPUS,
Take a Brigade of our own Guards, and hast
Down to Hyrcania to apprehend him,
Strike off his head, to you the Government
Of that fair Province we assigne, until
If he deserves it, we recall Duke ELCHEE.

Hyd.
I wish he may, mean while, I shall be carefull.

Abb.
EMANGOLY, send you some trusty person
To Shiras, arm'd, to seize SELEUCUS there,
And strike off his head too.

Ema.
My Liege, I will.

Abb.
These Ladies still expect,—how shall we use them?

Ear., Oma.
O my good Lord.

Oly.
There's mercy in his looks.

Ema.
Sir, they'are beneath your anger, they can't hurt you,
Nor stands it with the honour of great States,
To take strict notice of vain womans actions.

Abb.
Well, mercy is no lesse a virtue royal,
Then justice, and 'tis fit we shew some, since
Heaven has shewn us so much: we pardon you
Ladies, hereafter pray avoid state-matters.

Oma., Ear.
We will! we will, my Lord.

Oly.
Our humble thanks.

Omnes,
Long live King ABBAS! long, long-live the King!

Elc.
You'l keep your words.

[To the Ladies.
Oly: Far. Oma.
Yes, yes, my Lord, we will.

Elc.
May't please your Majestie, these noble Ladies,
(Not to say by my instinct) do resent
So heartily your royal favour to them,
As to their powers, to attempt gratitude,
Whereas their error late involv'd them in
A promise of considerable summes,
To'advance what they thought duty, but proves treason,
As testimonies of their thankfulnesse
For pardoning them that fault, they humbly pray
Your sacred Majestie to accept those sums,
Towards the raising of your force again.
Tis 'mong them all an hundred thousand Crowns.

Em.
A brave amends!

Alk.
A noble gratitude!

Abb.
Ladies, we thank your loves.

Oly.
And we your mercy.

Abb.
METHICULI'S Treasurer.

Oly.
My Lord, we will
Attend you anon at the Exchequer.

Met.
Now
They do deserve their Pardon, and I'd almost
Said, ELCHEE merits his too, for procuring
These donatives, it proves his loyalty.

Ben.
Hark! hark!

Abb.
ELCHEE, for improving thus
Your interest with the Ladies to our service,
We do revoke your sentence of exilement.

Elc.
My best thanks and indeavours, still shall serve you.

Met.
These two offended, sir, but on his score,
They're his dependents.

Abb.
Them we pardon too.

Ben.
Our humble thanks.

Moz.
We'l labour to deserve it.

Elc.
(My Lord, I am your Creature for your hint.

To Methiculi.
Met.
I joy my love could prove behooffull to you)

Moz.
(A fair escape!

Ben.
A Resurrection! i'le
Ne'r hazzard more so high a member as
My neck; VENUS is my star.

Moz.
Mine MERCURY.)

Abb.
This were a happy day, were SOFFIE sound.

Ema.
And the brave Prince restor'd.

Abb.
That he shall be.

Ema.
Then SOFFI's safe sir—

Abb.
Thou wert born t'oblige me.
Where, my good Genius?

Ema.
In METHICVI's care
And mine; and now forth comming, at your service.

Abb.
Go METHICULI, bring him to th'Castle.
Wee'l meet thee there, whither we now will hast
To rescue our Son, and make our self deserve
This benefit the Gods were pleas'd to give us.

Met.
My Liege I will.

Abb.
O who can be a Tyrant,
And plague the innocent on bare surmises,
When gracious Heaven passe by our reall ills,
And oft to gain us, save us 'gainst our wills.

MIRZA,
PAGE.
Fie DORIDO, and did I ever think
I should check thee for disobedience?
Now I importune thee, sha'nt I obtain
My last draught of thee!

Pag.
I can hold no longer
'Gainst his command—Sir, here's a bowl well spic'd
Will send you to your Paradise in a moment.

Mir.
Give me it DORIDO.

Pag.
Ah, my hand trembles
In the delivery.

Mir.
Thankes, good faithfull youth.
Now that my Father could see me quaff this!
A health to the confusion of the Tyrant.

[he drinks.
Pag.
Sir, leave some, and i'l pledge you.

Mir.
As thou wilt.
Now call my wife to take her last farewell.—
I come sweet FATYMA, i'm coming to thee,
And doubt not but thou'lt thank me for releasing
Thee from this Prison the world calls a life.

NYMPHADORA,
IFFIDA, PAGE.
[to him.
What would my Lord?

Mir.
Be reconcil'd to thee.
I know th'art angry with me for the losse
Of FATYMA.

Nym.
Not angry sir, but grieved.

Mir.
Come I have sent the child t'a place fit for her,
A sacred place of rest, worthy her goodnesse,
This world was not, it was her Hell and mine;
And I am following her; I sent for thee
To take my last leave.

Nym.
I conceive you not.

Mir.
Thy eyes shall make it plain—I have drunk poyson.

Nym.
O Heavens forbid!

Iff.
O Gods! how came he by't?

Pag.
I gave it him, he drank, and here I pledge him.

[He drinkes.
Iff.
O wretch!

Nym.
Wer't lawfull, would i'd pledge him too.

Pag.
I still was us'd t'obay all his commands,
And this was one, nor could I abide to see
Him miserable, my duty did gainsay it.

Mir.
And my own honour, faithfull youth, and courage

Nym.
Self-murder's a false colour of true courage,
“Rising from fear of torment, or of shame,
“T'out-face ill Fortune, and malicious Fate.
And this I hop'd from you: then should the Heaven
First have dissolv'd, but you should have been righted.
“Heaven sets us Captains of our bodily Forts,
“Which without Treason, cannot be delivered
“Till redemanded.

Mir.
Sure if Heaven had made us
Masters of any thing, 'tis of our lives?
Which if we may not without leave lay down,
We must not without warrant leave a joynt.
If in these little Castles we be Heavens
Lieutenants, sure we may give up our charge,
When Heaven leaves us void of good means to keep it.

“Nym.
We must not doubt Heavens goodness, who is nothing
“But goodnesse, nor limit it, since the last
“Instant is scope enough for th'heavenly Powers
“To revoke all things to ones own desire.
Why pluck'st thou then their work out of the hand
Of Justice, and become thy own revenger,
When she would surely have don't, and better?

Mir.
I feel the poyson working—O—be happy.

Nym.
Hast IFFIDA, some antidote may help yet.

Pag.
Nay, spare that paines, not natures self can help him.
'Twas strong enough.

Nym.
To break my heart, I hope.

Pag.
It works with me too: my eyes swim in death,
And dizzinesse tosse over all my braines.

Iff.
Fie, DORIDO, thou art the greatest Traytor
Of all, to poyson thy dear Lord.

Mir.
Peace fool,
He's faithfull, and my good deliverer.

ABBAS,
EMANGOLLY, BELTAZAR, ALKAHEM, Servants.
[to them
No, that is yet my part, I'm thy deliverer.
Rise injur'd Son, arise and meet thy freedom.

Mir.
Who's that?

Iff.
The King.

Mir.
The Tyrant: in good time
He comes to see me rescu'd from his rage.

Nym.
His eyes blast me; I can't, with patience, see him.
But what means this yet? why are these friends with him?

Pag.
All are prov'd false and mock our misery.

Nym.
And is this then a spectacle of pleasure?
That I could form a curse great as his guilt!

Abb.
Spare them, sweet daughter, if I yet am worthy
So near alliance to so bright a vertue—

Mir.
O death, why com'st no faster?

Ema.
Heavens! what means he?

Bel.
He thinks he comes to torture him.

Alk.
He looks ill.

Abb.
No art of words can now more aggravate
My guilt then mine own Conscience: nor dost thou
Feel sharper pangs of Grief then I of horror.
I'm undeceived, I see my hasty error,
And hadst thou now a window into my brest.
Thou wouldst confesse th'unfeign'd integrity
Of my repentance, when thou seest my soul
Weep (freely) tears of blood to bath her crime in.

Mir.
Crocodiles tears.

Ema.
Indeed, my Lord you erre.

Abb.
Thou err'st, brave Son, for yet i'l call thee so,
And will henceforth appear a Father to thee,
I've been a Tyrant, nay a Monster long,
Which as I have bewail'd, I will redresse,
Repentance has made Rivers of mine eyes,
My eyes weep themselves blind for loss of thine.
My breast is hardened as brawn with strokes,
My head turn'd grey, with sorrow more then age.
Insense makes the offended Gods relent.
For that, i'l spend my very soul in sighs.
“To be penitent bears a pardon with it:
A pardon, I that yet ne'r beg'd of any,
Now beg of thee: A Father of a Son,
Let the relation at least obtain it.

Nym.
So when the house is burnt the fire goes out.
O that this true remorse (for so I think it)
Had come before, when yet it had been usefull!

Bel.
Madam, 'tis ne'r to late to redresse wrongs.

Nym.
Yes, when the wrongd's not capable of redress.
The Prince (alas!) inflamed with despair.
Got his unhappy Page to give him poyson.

Abb.
O Heaven! and slightest thou our Penitence?

Mir.
Poyson so strong defies all remedies,
As it will soon make me all injuries.

Ema.
O Act of Horror!

Bel.
Dire event of wrongs.

Alk.
Which when in time we'are carelesse to redresse
We justly, when we would do't, are deny'd it.

Abb.
I mourning to my grave must ever go then.
At least, before thou leav'st this upper world,
O speak thy self but reconciled to me.

Mir.
I freely do it, and implore your pardon,
If I, exasperated with my wrongs,
Have vented any undecent words of you.
Of other crimes towards you my soul acquits me.

Abb.
And mine own too: this piety adds load
Unto my grief, and melts my very soul.

METHICULIE,
SOFFIE.
See sir, their joy has drown'd them all in tears.

Sof.
This looks not yet like joy.

Iff.
Ah! no, my Lord.
All joyes have fled us.

Alk.
The brave Prince, tir'd out
With suffering wrongs, took poyson.

Sof.
O just Gods!

Met.
Not just, they are grown Tyrants too, & mock
Our best intentions—O—

Abb.
What a blest day
Had this been, had not this draught clouded it!
That balefull draught descends in a dire storm,
And not ecclipses but our Sun-shine onely,
But batters with fierce dropps our springing hopes!
How mightst thou else have triumph'd in the Justice
Done on the cursed causers of thy ruine!
Base ALLYBEG, and impious FLORADELLA,
And all the rest of their dire Complices
This day fell sacrifices to thy wrath.
SOFFIE is found too, and doth here attend thee.

Mir.
Turn then your love to him, to him requite
My wrongs, and from him too expect my duty.
Now shall I die with much a lighter heart.
Since I have liv'd to hear those Traytors fall.

Nym.
O this I ever hop'd for from heavens Justice,
And grieve the more that thou despairedst of it.

Mir.
I come sweet FATYMA-Father, farewell—
Use SOFFIE like a Son.—

Abb.
O that Heaven would
Let me excuse thee!

Mir.
SOFFIE,—Farewel
Obey thy Grandsire—as thou wouldst do me—
Forget my wrongs—and eschew Tyranny—

Sof.
Ah! that I could forget sense, and turn stone!

Mir.
Adieu sweet Spous.—

Nym.
O!

Mir.
From thee I hardliest go!—
But thy grief will not suffer thee, I know,
To be long from me.—

Nym.
O my wretched ears!
Do you heare this, and will you ever hear
Any thing after it! O woefull eyes!
Why at this wailfull sight drop you not out?
Or, frighted, recoile deep into you holes!
O stubborn heart! can't all this shiver thee?
Am I turn'd Rock too!

Mir.
Friends adieu—make ore
To my young Son, the love to me you bore—

Ema.
O that I could not hear!

Met.
Or I could help!

Mir.
Yet love my memory.—

Bel.
O Grief!

Alk.
O Anger!
That griefe is all we can!

Mir.
Thou DORIDO,
Art to attend me— to the shades below—

Pag.
Yes my dear Lord.

Iff.
O that he'd gone before.

Mir.
I shall again live—and on some sad Stage
Be mourn'd.—“Great wrongs reach further then one Age.—
O—O.

[Dies.
Abb.
He's gone, he's gone, break heart and follow!

Omnes,
O Heavens!

Nym.
Stay winged spirit, stay and take
Me with thee, at least let me suck thy last breath.

Bel.
Madam, forbear, you will infect your self.

Nym.
O Gods! what have been my deserts, to be
Thus punished! or if such be my deserts,
Why am I yet not punish'd more, with death?
Yet that were to give end unto my woes:
To joyne me with him, were to make me happy:
That happiness I shortly will obtain
In spight of fate, if not from thy kind hand
O ATROPOS, from mine own grief at least:
Mean while—lie soft, O loved Corps, and thou
Adored soul, if love to earthly creatures
Remain in death, think of me in thy shade,
And oft Petition Fate to send me to thee.

Sof.
Unhappy DORIDO! how hast thou wrong'd
All Ages!

Alk.
And shalt still be curs'd by all.

Pag.
Is't not too late to say, forgive pass'd errors?
I hast to follow him to his shade, I'l there
Wait on him too, and try to be more happy:
They that behold the Sun, must see his shaddow,
And who remembers my brave Lord, must cast
A thought on me, and may they say thus of me;
I was his faithfull servant, waited still
On him in life, and death, good state and ill,—
So used to obey his each command,
I did it, though it to his hurt did tend.—
If any fault—of mine—be known to time—
Service mistaken—was my onely crime.—
O—O.

(Dyes.
Iff.
He dyes.

Ema.
Would 'twere our greatest losse!

Abb.
Our losse (alasse!) is above words to ease,
And we must more then mourn it: Do thou see
METHICULI, all rites of pomp and sorrow,
Perform'd to that brave body: This vile trunk
Of DORIDO'S, for giving his Lord poyson,
We will have burnt upon his Tomb.

Met.
Sad office.

Nym.
Ah sadder sight! that 'twere my last!

Methiculi and Alkahem, carry out the Princes body, and the Servants, the Pages.
Abb.
SOFFIE,
Thou now art our, and the Empire's hope,
EMANGOLY, be thou his Governour,
And breed him such as you intend to serve.

Ema.
My care shall labour to requite the honour.

Sof.
And mine t'improve your honour by my profit.

Abb.
Daughter, your losses we can ne'r requite;
Yet, as we can, let us attempt amends:
But that must come from you; look ore your wishes,
And be the Mistress of your own desires.

Nym.
'Las! sir, what is there left for me to wish,
But a short term of wretched life? mean while,
Some humble Country seat shall be my Cell,
Free from the trouble of all tongues and eyes,
I being unworthy either waiting their
Kind deaths cold hand, to lead me to my Lord.

Abb.
If that be your desire, you must enjoy it,
But we could wish we could deserve you still.

Nym.
Wilt thou partake of my retirement, IFFIDA?

Iff.
Madam, it would seem hard to me, to spend
My years, which my youth promise will be many,
In solitude—I'm an ill comforter,—
And then, my fortunes are before me too.

Nym.
Be happy in them.

Ema.
Poor ingratitude!

Nym.
Farewell, great sir, if ever you remember
You had a Daughter-in-law deserv'd your love,
Pay it to my poor Son, at least forget not,
You had a Son that did deserve it well.

Abb.
To him we'l pay the love we ow'd his Father.
Adieu sweet Princesse—BELTAZAR, attend her.

Nym.
I thank your Grace:—Farewell my dearest Boy;
But that thou still wilt dwell in my best thoughts,
I would I could forget I ere was happy,
Be thou so ever.

Sof.
Madam, if you please not
To stay still with us, you'l, I hope, admit
Me in your solitude to do my duty.

Nym.
Things of more weight will take thee up, be happy
And so shall I, when sighs have spent this breath:
“A mortalls happinesse begins in death.

Abb.
Come SOFFIE, and learn to be a Prince;
But when thy hand shall close mine aged eyes,
And on thy head my Diadem shall shine,
Learn by my harms to eschew Tyranny;
It was thy dying Fathers Legacy,
And shall be mine too; and I leave thee more
In that, then in my splendid wreath of Oare:
“For cruell Acts in them their torment have,
“Guilt on our souls, blots on our names they leave.