 | The Swisser |  |
88
ACTVS QVINTVS
SCÆNA PRIMA
[An Apartment in the Palace.]ASPRANDVS,
ISEAS.
Heere's a distracted Court! Euery Mans face
Lookes as it did presage a Dearth of Witt!
Such Hobnail'd Countenances!
Ise.
Sfoot, what's the Matter?
Th'are fouly out a' ioynt, and wee can fix
On none to peece with. Heere's one.
Enter a GENTLEMAN.
Sir!—
Gent.
Your Seruant—
I haue some hast—
Exit GENTLEMAN.
Ise.
My seruant should haue staid,
If hee had bene so, by his fauor.
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Nay,
Hee's onely seruant passant, now your Couchant
Is more obseruant.
Ise.
Is ther such Degrees?
Aspra.
From kissing a' the hand to cutting a' the throat, Sir,
O you shall meet 'em, spawning out the word,
With such a Grace; “Your Seruant—” to the foot;
Some Couchant and some passant, but take heed on 'em
They'le fawne and Bite. Now, for your Seruant Pendant,
Hee can do no great hurt.
Ise.
Wo'd they were all soe!
Aspra.
What Friskin's this?
Enter a GENTLEWOMAN.
The Princesse Woman—Lady!—
Lady.
I cannot stay—
Exit.
Aspra.
What a perpetuall Motion
Shee carries with her!
Ise.
Art thou acquainted wo'tt?
Aspra.
Hang 'em, sleight Vanities; th'are like light Dewe,
Quickly exhal'd by some great man, and then
They vanish into Mists, or breake into showers;
Ther's nothing Sollid in 'em.
Ise.
Something's a Bruing
I' the Court among 'em; Antharis is at his Witts end.
Aspra.
'Tis an old Rogue that.
Ise.
And Clephis hath an Eye
In euery Corner.
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That's a Subtile peece too.
But I think Honest.
Ise.
Ah, Arioldus. Ther's one
Stands for a Million.
Aspra.
'Tis a Noble Fellow.
Ise.
I heare some muttring of a Rape, the King
Engag'd in't.
Aspra.
Strange! Hee's of a Noble Nature.
Ise.
But young and wild.
Aspra.
Tyme will repaire that—
Ise.
[aside.]
Mum—
Enter ANDRVCHO.
Aspra.
[aside to Ise.]
O 'Tis Andrucho!
Ise.
[aside to Aspra.]
Then wee shall know all.
Aspra.
[to Andru.]
Welcome,
Thou happy Genius; by thy Priapisme,
The President of thy Britch, what Augurie?
What is thee newes, man?
Andru.
Breath, and tougnes, and Lyes
Mingled together, if there bee none Coine it,
'Tis Comon, and no Treason; I haue Busines,
You must excuse mee—
Exit ANDRVCHO.
Aspra.
Whew—My Almanack—
How stands the Moone? 'Tis Sauage! I did thinke soe
The Braine do's turne. Come, let's go see Timentes.
Ise.
Nay, 'tis turn'd vp side downe there; did not I tell thee?
Aspra.
No, what?
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Somebody has made him drunke and now
Hee playes the Termogant, beats all 'fore him,
And proues a fighting Generall indeed.
Aspra.
A strange inuersion.
Ise.
I co'd hardly scape him.
Aspra.
Heere's the Prediction!
Enter TIMENTES drunke.
Tim.
What are you—
Both.
Wee're men.
Tim.
I'le try that presently—if you bee men—
Stand mee but one thrust—Come, haue at ye— (Exeunt.)
What!—
D'yee giue ground?—'Tis base—I will giue any man
A thousand Ducketts for a thrust—I'le follow 'em.
Exit TIMENTES.
SCÆNA SECVNDA
[A Grove.]ALCIDONVS, SELINA.
Alci.
It wo'd be harsh indeed if it could part vs;
But wee'le be one still.
Seli.
How? when the Deuorse
Of Brother and Sister steales into our Bloods?
Alci.
In Death, Selina, one earth: theise two Bodies
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By Natures law, and there perticipate,
In spight of Blood or kindred.
Seli.
'Tis too terrible.
Alci.
'Tis our best Refuge. There wee may find ease
To all our toyles, and vnder the soft wing
Of Blessed Peace, meet an Eternall rest.
Seli.
Is there such Hapines?
Alci.
In those blest shades
Where Pure loue makes abode, the rauisht Soule
Hath a Delight aboue the reatch of Sence
And on those pleasant Bancks wee may renewe
Our loues, an vnknowne way; the name of Brother
Shalbe no opposition to those ioyes;
But in a ioynt Contexture wee will moue,
Farr from the Rules of flesh; no whisperings
Shall call our Meetings Incest, nor no shame
Shadowe the Essence of our Loues
Seli.
But must wee
Part heere so soone?
Alci.
They that desire to liue
Are to much Center'd to the Earth, and Carry
A waight to heauy for 'em to gett vp.
What wiseman is not vext wo'tt, when hee sees
This vnfirme Flesh subiect to Leprosies
And worse Diseasses? Nay the Soule as long
As 'tis hous'd heere, how full of Passions,
And changes too, of ioy, greife, Anger, Pittie?
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But shake theise chaines of flesh of, it returnes
To its first purenes.
Seli.
I would not trouble mee
So much, to dye, as for the Cause, the fault!
Alci.
A fault, Selina; do not wrong thyne Inocence
To call it soe. Is it a fault to Loue?
The Mistique Character that Nature printed
Within our Breasts did prompt vs to't. Can wee
Resist that Power? To loue was Naturall.
Seli.
Like Brother and Sister.
Alci.
Should wee stint our selues,
And call just Heauen to account for our Creation,
When all the faculties of Reason, yeilded
A freedome to vs? No, what wee haue done
Shall not be numbred to our faults, Selina;
But in such White Robes as pure Loue putts on,
Shall wee stand guiltles without shame, or feare.
Yett why do I tell thee of Death, when Myne
Redeemes the peace of Both? This small drop do's it.
Farwell for euer.
Offers to drink Poison.
Seli.
Hold! O Alcidonus,
You haue bene kind till now, neuer deny mee
The last of all our Suffrings. Haue I borne
The Burthen of 'em constantly? And when
I looke for ease, shall I bee loaded more?
Can theise Eyes see you breathles, and not close
Themselues for euer? Can this hart which had
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This greiues mee more then all my greifs, that you
Wo'd vse mee so vngently. Wee haue liued,
The worst of trouble; Loued, the best of freindship;
And lett's together dye, the Last of Sorrow.
Alci.
Thy Death will more afflict mee then myne owne.
Seli.
Is not yours so to mee? Come, lett's dye nobly.
Alci.
Thou warm'st mee with new fire. Come forth agen
You Antidotes of Peace. That power yt gaue
The Spiritt toyle made theise allayes. Lett's kneele,
And take our last leaues, till our pale Ghosts meete
Within another World. In theise sad groues,
Where wee did signe our Loues, wee'le seale our Deaths;
Sister and wife, farwell.
Seli.
Brother and Husband,
The strongest tyes of Loue, farwell for euer
They drink.
Alci.
How dost thou now?
Seli.
Why well. I feele a tingling
Through all my vaines; a Numbdnes seazes mee,
A heauy sleepe; lett vs embrace and Dye.
Alci.
The ioy of a Blest life crowne thy sweet Soule,
I'le follow thee, farwell.
[Enter] ANTHARIS.
Antha.
I haue belyed my selfe, and lay'd the staine
Of Bastardy vpon my lawfull Child,
Onely to crosse this Match; yett 'twill not part 'em.
Shall I still striue with Heauen and fate?
[Enter] ISEAS, ASPRANDVS.
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Theise Groues
Are good to meet a Wench in.
Aspra.
That were lost
And left to the taker vp. Who's that? Antharis?
Lett vs giue ayme; heere's game.
[They hide.]
Antha.
[sees the bodies.]
Asleepe together!—
What horrid sight is this? My Alcidonus!
My sonne, my dearest sonne!
Aspra.
[stepping forth.]
Why, what's the Matter?
Antha.
Help, Gentlemen, o help! Is there no Art
Will add to Nature now? Rub—bow the Bodies!
My sonne! My sonne! Speake, Alcidonus!
Alci.
Ha!
Antha.
There is some hope yett; chafe hard—Who hath done this?
Alci.
Our selues—with poison, for wee liu'd in Incest—
Against our Wills—Brother and sister, married—
Antha.
But were you Married?
Alci.
Yes.
Antha.
Curst bee my pollicie!
Ther's no such thing; you were not Brother and Sister;
I did belye my selfe, and you, Heauen knowes it,
Because I would not haue you Marry. Y'are
My lawfull Son, shee of another Mother!
Nothing a kin!
Alci.
Oh—
Antha.
Help! Death seazes on him—
Aspra.
Is there no life in her?
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Shee's cold.
Antha.
For Heauen sake,
Lift 'em from ground.
Aspra.
'Tis now too late, th'are dead.
Antha.
It is impossible. Call the Phisitions,
And if in dull Earthes bony Mineralls,
Or veines of flowers and Rootes there be no help,
Wee'le rip her Bowells vp, within whose warmth,
They may receyue fresh growth.
Ise.
All will not doe.
Antha.
Thou lyest.
Strikes him.
Ise.
What, are you Madd?
Antha.
I shalbee madd,
Heer's that will make mee mad; run, run for help,
I will preuent fate. Doe they thinke to take
Mens liues away in ieast? I did not meane
To haue 'em dye. Why stay yee?—Alcidonus—
I'le goe my selfe—
Runs out.
Aspra.
This accident distracts him.
Ise.
His Crulty deserues it.
Aspra.
But 'tis pitty
The innocent paire should suffer.
Ise.
Lett's call Companie
To beare away the Bodies.
Exeunt.
[Reenter] ANTHARIS [dragging] TIMENTES [in].
Antha
[pointing at the bodies.]
Why, heere they are;
If you haue any skill, pray, show it now.
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Heere's nobodie—
Antha.
Then th'are gon.
Tim.
They were afeard of mee—and run away—
Antha.
Why what art thou a Ghost? Art to be felt?
Antharis strikes Timentes.
Tim.
Death, a blow—ye scoundrell, then haue at yee—
They close and fall downe together.
[Reenter] ASPRANDVS, ISEAS.
Aspra.
Heere's a Mad fray.
Ise.
Lett's part 'em.
Antha.
[to Ise.]
Thanks, good Janus
For this thy rescue.
Exit ANTHARIS.
Aspra.
When this fighter hath slept
The Scœne will alter; hee'le forgett his Valor:
Oh Drinke, how strong art thou?
Ise.
Gett him to's lodging,
And lett him sleepe there. I'le persue the Madman.
Tim.
This is foule play, yfaith, two vpon one.
[To Aspra.]
Good Mr Constable—
Aspra.
Nay, you must obay
His Maiesties head Officer. Come away!
Exeunt.
SCÆNA TERTIA
[An Apartment in the Palace.]ANDRVCHO, ARIOLDVS.
Andru.
I haue reduc't my Beard to the old shape.
Ariol.
But keepe this falce one on: the king is coming.
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I doe not like the way to force a King soe.
Ariol.
'Tis no inforcement: hee but sees his danger.
I'le stand betwixt thee and all harme.
Andru.
I'le do't then.
Exit ARIOLDVS; ANDRVCHO hides.
[Enter] KING.
King.
Poore man is then at worst, when his calme pleasures
(In the vnbounded Ocœan of Desire)
Seazeth his lasie thoughts: hee cannot feele
The helme of Reason, but is driuen with the streame
Of his affections, on some sand, or Rocke;
Where ere hee sees hid danger hee is lost.
Such is my Case. I wo'd redeeme what's past—
Who's there?
[Enter ANDRVCHO.]
Andru.
'Tis I.
King.
Andrucho, what dost thou heere?
I am not now for Mirth.
Andru.
No more am I, Sir.
King.
What dost thou meane then?
Andru.
I must kill thee, King.
King.
Thou darst not, Slaue.
Andru.
I durst not, wert thou Noble.
But since you haue left that, I haue left of
My Loyalty. Prepare thy selfe to dye.
King.
How haue I iniur'd thee?
Andru.
Thy lust hath don't;
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Rob'd her of her deare honor, and thy Blood
Must hide the Coulor of our shame.
King.
Out, Peasant. Wilt thou murder mee for that?
Andru.
For that: Is't not enough? Am I lesse sencible
Of Iniury by beeing Poore? 'Tis meanes
And Power that do's reuenge, not honor onely;
Shee liues in Cottages aswell as Courts,
And wants but onely way t'effect her Wishes;
Which I haue found. Therfore as swift as thought,
Call thy lou'd Sinns to account.
King.
Thou darst not touch
A haire of Myne; were euery drop of Blood,
In thy rude veines, suckt from the Breasts of Queenes:
A poore base Mercinary Swisser—
Andru.
Yes!
The Court foole, Sir, to stretch your lungs. 'Tis now
The readiest way to thriue, therfore in fashion.
Yett I was honest while you had your Vertue;
'Tis you haue alter'd mee: when Kings do leaue
Their Goodnes, they make euery Slaue their Master.
King.
I haue offended Heauen.
Andru.
Are you prepar'd?
Knocking within.
Ariol.
[within.]
Breake downe the dores.
Andru.
I must dispatch!
Enter ARIOLDVS with a Gard.
Ariol.
Lay hold
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My life and all my ioyes depend vpon
Your Preseruation.
Presents him a sword.
King.
Thou hast cause, Arioldus,
To bee more Cruell to mee.
Ariol.
I haue checkt
My former Rages, and will neuer rise
Till I haue gott your Pardon for 'em.
King.
Take mee
Into thy Bosome. (Enter Princesse Panopia.)
Sister, thanke this man
Thy Brother liues.
Pano.
Wo'd I could thanke him too
For sauing mee; but I am lost, quite lost,
Ne're to be found agen within the Limitts
Of Modestie. You Koope mee vp with Promises,
And flatter mee with Hopes, which makes my Passions
More violent. They must, and shall breake out.
King.
Fie, fie, Panopia.
Pano.
I will haue this man,
Loue him, enioy him: I am almost mad for him.
This dainty man: wo'd I co'd Rauish him.
The Currant of my blood holds the same force
That yours did. I'me your sister, and as vitious.
King.
Haue you no shame?
Pano.
You see myne, but your owne's
Incensible; either now make mee happie,
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This vigorous Body, till diseasses brands
Her Lust vpon my face. (Aside.)
Forgiue mee, Modestie!
King.
Oh my best freind! My Sister rages for thee,
Pittie her youth. Be more reseru'd, Panopia,
Thou shalt preuaile—Arioldus—
Pano.
[sings.]
Hee's a Cabinett of treasure
The very Soule and life of Pleasure,
Spirit and Genius of the Age,
Natures primest Equipage:
All that's good and Louely, wee
Find in him: And this is hee.
King.
Can you heare this, Arioldus, and not melt?
Remember her Birth—Deare sister, be more temperate.
[To Ariol.]
I'le giue thee half my Kingdome with her.
Ariol.
'Tis not
The worlds vast Body, were it all one Diamond,
Can buy mee to her, could you giue it mee,
And power to sett it in some Sphere, to make
Perpetuall day, and ease the aged Moone;
Or could you place mee in some glory by 'em,
To out shine both: I'de rather bee a Chaos
Then breake the vowes I make.
King.
What vowes?
Ariol.
I haue sworne
To looke no more on woman with affection.
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To her perplexed Hart.
King.
What peace d'yee looke for?
Make her Conditions.
Ariol.
Till her ruin'd honor
Bee builded vp agen.
King.
You mistake the Ground,
Honor, where is't?
Ariol.
In her. (Enter Eurinia.)
See, where shee comes
Loaden with all her Sorrowes. [To Euri.]
Thou faire Harbor
Of a More glorious Soule, I vow againe heere;
No Power, no Torment shall inforce my loue
To woman, more then 'tis, vntill that hand
That hurt thee, heale thee.
King.
How, Arioldus, will you
Force mee to this?
Ariol.
I will not vrge you, Sir;
Giue mee but that same liberty with your sister.
Pano.
I must not be delayed.
King.
[to Pano.]
Peace, Impudence.
[To Ariol.]
This is a rude Condition, Arioldus.
Ariol.
I tye yee, Sir, to Nothing; giue mee freedome
To make my owne Ellection of my wife.
But this I'le tell yee, Princes may do wronge
But are not free from danger; ther is one
Attempted an Assassinate vpon you,
And shall haue Condigne Punishment; but think you
103
Liue but in feare when they offend: beleeue it, Sir,
I will bring you peace within.
King.
A goodly Marriage!
A thing of no birth, Quallity, nor fortune,
A Mountaine Swissers Daughter!
Andru.
Shee is not.
Hee discouers.
King.
Aribert!
Andru.
Hopeles of Pardon I present my selfe
Vnto your Mercy; y'haue vndone the daughter
Now take the fathers life.
King.
Is this Eugenia?
Andru.
It is the poore Eugenia.
King.
My first Loue.
Where were my sences that I knew thee not?
Ariol.
And to take of the blemish from Lord Aribert,
We're all as guilty as hee.
King.
How?
Ariol.
Not to hurt you.
Your Sister's in the Plott. [Kneeling.]
We all beg Pardon.
King.
You haue it; rise! And pray, vnfold this Ridle.
Ariol.
The Loue betwixt your Sister and mee being firme,
And a iust temper hauing brought our Reason
To a more due Consideration;
Weighing your Noblenes; that heat of youth
More then a settled mischeife had giuen fire
To this erruption; wee deuis'd this Plott
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By his attempt vpon you should demonstrate
How dangerously open great men lye
Vnto Reuenge, that haue done Iniurie.
The Vertuous Princesse vrg'd by my perswasion
(Though much against her Mind) was to persue mee
With strong affection.
Pano.
My part was the hardest.
Ariol.
And I to hold of till this iniur'd Lady
Should be restor'd agen, which wee conceiu'd
Wo'd bee, when you did know it was Eugenia.
King.
Why did you vse such Circumstance to that
Which I desir'd aboue my Life? Eugenia!
I haue my Wish.
Euri.
I am your humble Vassaile.
King.
Thou hast bene cruell to mee long, Eugenia.
Euri.
I doe confesse it, Sir, I lou'd Arioldus
Aboue all title; 'twas my stubborne fate then,
But Heauen will haue it otherwise.
King.
I am
Aforehand with him now indeed. And Aribert,
Thy Banishment proceeded from thy daughters harshnes;
But wee are all pleas'd now, M'thinks I am lighter;
Ther was a heauynes vpon my Breast
Which I haue shakt of; when the Newes was brought mee
Of Alcidonus and Selinas deathes,
Me thought all round about mee threatned nothing
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How now, what's the matter?
[Enter] ASPRANDVS.
Aspra.
This ioy is for the abused Louers, Sir;
They liue agen.
King.
By what strange Accident?
[Enter] CLEPHIS, ALCIDONVS, SELINA, ISEAS.
Clep.
That story shalbe myne, great Prince. Y'aue heard.
Antharis cruelty to 'em.
King.
Yes, with wonder.
Clep.
I euer feared his harshnes wo'd prouoke 'em
Vnto some desperate Course; which made mee watch
With the more vigillent Eye vpon their actions,
So that by spies I did not onely find
The intent, but way how to preuent the poison;
Making it onely a sleeping Potion, which
Hath wrought all his effects. And heere they stand
As new borne Soules.
King.
A better fortune follow 'em.
Ariol.
The Joy and Hapines of Loue attend 'em.
Pano.
You speake my wishes.
King.
But where is Antharis,
The Cruell Father?
Clep.
Past all cure distracted.
King.
Lett theise abused Louers then inioy
All that hee calls his, but his Misereis;
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This day shalbe to all Posterity
A day of Joy. Now I looke bright agen,
And all the Clouds that hung about my hart
Are by theise beames dispeirst; there is no sence
Distracts more then a Troubled Conscience.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
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