University of Virginia Library

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
Into one Substance may resolue themselues,
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?
Just like a frantique in an Hospitall.
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
A Beeing but from you, now, bee without you?
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.
Ise.
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?

Ise.
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.

Tim.
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.