University of Virginia Library

SCÆNA 6.

Enter to him, Rinatus, Eubulus, and Aramedes.
Eph.
Wait on that Lady forth.

Rin.
Would there were not a woman in the world
So we had our Prince again.
Sir, are you mad? or have forgot you are a father?
You have undone us all.

Eph.
Why what's the matter?

Rin.
O Sir, the Prince.

Eph.
He is not dead, Rinatus, is he?

Rin.
Sir, If he be, 'tis you have murd'red him:
Was it for this you were so jealous tother day?
May my Inophilus never pretend to virtue,
Ile teach him a more thriving art.
Come to the window a little Sir, and hear
How the good people curse you; as cold weather
As it is, some are so hard at it they sweat again.

Eph.
Prethee unriddle; hast thou drunk Hemlock
Since I saw thee last?

Rin.
I would not be in my wits for any thing i'th world,
My grief would kill me if I were;
He's mad that will speak sense or reason,
Now you have thrown away our Prince thus
Whose innocence was clearer then his own eyes:
Can you think how you have murdred so much vertue,
And not blush your self to death?

Eph.
I think indeed I sent him General against the Argives,
But 'twas his own desire.

Rin.
'Twas not his own desire Sir, to have but 13000 men,
Sir was it? Was that Army fit to oppose great Argo?
There came a Messenger just now, that saw the Prince
Not sixteen miles from hence (for thither is the Foe marcht)
Draw up his men to engage the enemy.

Eph.
For heaven's sake Rinatus, post him back again,
Bid him retreat; command my son from me,
Not to go on till greater forces follow him,
If it be possible redeem the error;
I'de give my Kingdom, life, or any ting
It were to do agen.

Rin.
I'me glad to see this now, heaven send it ben't too late.

Eph.
Nay stand not prating.

A horn within.
Rin.
Tis from the Army Sir, O heaven I fear;

Enter Mess.
Eph.
If from the Army, prethee put on better looks.

Mess.
Your son, nay more, your dying son,
Commanded me to bring you word,
He dy'd true to his honour, King, and Country-men,
Nor let me stay to see the brightest lamp go out
That ever grac't this orb.

The King faints.
Rin.
O heaven, the King! why this is worse Sir
Then the other, let not us lose you both.

Eph.
Let me but hear how twas he made his Exit,
And then my glass is run, I will not live
One minute longer.

Mess.
Sir, thus it was—
Tis scarce three hours ago since the brave
Plangus marcht from Laxa with an Army,
Whose souls were richer then their cloaths by far,
Though their valour had put on all the bravery
That Souldiers ever wore. The Prince whose presence
Breath'd new fire into these flaming spirits,
Resolv'd to meet the enemy with his handful,
And with a winged speed, fell down to the Elean Straights,
Determining there to try it with him.
His Souldiers also true sons of War,
Conteming so great odds, when victory and their Country
Was to crown the Conquerors, whetted
Their eager valours with impatient expectation
of the enemy, who trusting to his multitude came on
Wing'd both with scorn and anger, to see that paucity
Should dare dispute victory against their odds.
Plangus who though he saw, yet could not fear
Destruction, and scorn'd to avoid it
When the King commanded him to meet it,
Marshal'd his Army to the best advantage,
And having given Zopiro the left wing,
The body to Evarness, himself chose out the right,
Because he would be opposite to Argo.
And keeping a reserve as great as could be hop't for
From so small a company not above five hundred men,
He gave the command of them to Zenon,
Who with his fellows took it ill they should be so long idle,
And had not the honour to be thought worthy
To dye with the most forward, and would no question have
Refus'd the charge; but that the smiling Prince
Promis'd them they should have time to dye.
Words here were needless, nor had he time to use them.

Rin.
What was Inophilus idle all this while?

Mess.
I only heard the Prince wish just as
He spur'd his horse against the valiant Argo,
He had fewer by a thousand men
So he had Inophilus.

Rin.
O trayterous boy!

Mess.
The Prince and Argo met, and like two mighty Tydes
Encountred.
Here death put on her sable Livery,
And the two Gallants whose valour animated each Army,
Bandyed a long time with equal force,
'Till at last great Argo fell; and on a sudden
Multitudes of men accompani'd him, so that
The wing went presently to rout and execution.
Zopiro also, and Evarnes having slain
Their opposite leaders, breath death and destruction
To their reeling Foes.
Thus flusht with victory, and blood the Iberians,
Revel'd through the flying field 'till there came on
The enemies reserve of twenty thousand men,
Who fresh and lusty, grinded their teeth for anger
At their fellows overthrow, and powring on
Our weary Souldiers, turn'd the stream of victory.
But the Princes valour, and good fortune soon
Overcame this opposition, and having rallied his broken
Troops, went to relieve his friends who had far'd worse.
When presently he saw Evarness who had pil'd up enemies
About him, as an Obelisk of his own death and victory,
Fall bleeding at his foot, and having kiss't it
With his dying lips, intreated him to save
Himself for a more happy day, and dyed.
'Twas not long after the gallant Zenon
(Who had performed that day deeds of eternal fame,
And with his few spight of opposition, thrice charg'd
And routed some thousands of the enemy)
Expir'd, which when the Prince beheld,
Weeping for anger, he flew among'st his enemies,
Sustain'd only by the greatness of his courage,
For blood and strength had both forsook him;
He spent that spark of life was left in him,
In slaughter and revenge, when leaning on his weapon's point
That dropt with blood as fast as he,
He then conjur'd me with all speed only to tell the King.
I saw him dye worthy of his father, and himself.

A horn without,
Eph.
O heaven! what means these acclamations?
A shout,
What do the Iberians welcome their bloody
A shout again
Conqueror, with so much joy.