 | The Tragedy of Ovid |  |
105
Actus Quinti,
Scena Prima.
Enter Ovid, Philocles, and Caralinda.Ovid.
I am amaz'd much, and afflicted more,
With the sad newes you have imparred to us.
Philo.
All my Entreaties could not win him thence:
And therefore missing him too long from home,
And knowing upon what design he staid,
I did enquire of Armelina; who
Made me the sad Relation you have heard.
Oh brave Pyrontus! I lament thy Fate;
That hast in love prov'd so unfortunate.
Cara.
It is so sad a story you have made us,
That it draws teares from my eyes. Though was
A stranger to their Persons, my weak sex
Allows me liberty to weep. A man
Would not be tax'd of Softness, to relent
At so deplorable an History.
Philo:
Madam! I am so far from blaming you,
For gracing with your tears their Cruell Fates,
That my heart chides mine own eyes for not melting.
Hell never plotted a worse Tragedy.
Nor ever did so great a Lover find,
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Neither did ever Virtue and Beauty meet
So hideous a Treatment as Clorina.
Ovid.
Have you their Bodies seen, since they were dead?
Oh Philocles! If you those woefull objects
Have look'd upon, you have beheld a sight
More sad than ever Tomos was accus'd for.
Philo.
Alas! I brought the Heart, and mangled Body
Of my dear Friend Pyrontus, to his house.
And did attend the Corse of fair Clorina,
To Armelina's Pallas: where alas!
No April shower ever fell so sweetly,
As she doth weep over her Sister.
Cara.
A word with you dear Cozen Ovid! My eyes
Are bigg with tears, and my poor heart is loaden
With Grief. A thousand showers cannot drain them.
And Time wants years enough to wear away
The Sense, and Memory of this woefull day.
Ovid.
I must beseech you to have patience.
Cara.
I have too much, dear Ovid! Much too much:
But I will all the Fortitude collect
That my poor heart is capable of, and shall
Suppress all signs exterior of a Grief.
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I find, it now points at me; And will therefore
Go walk abroad. You are acquainted well
With Philocles. I'le leave you with him.
Ovid.
I will attend upon you.
Cara.
By no means
You are old and sickly; And I will not be
So troublesome.
Ovid.
You shall not go alone.
Good Philocles, My Cosin Caralinda
Is something undispos'd, and hath a mind
To take the Air abroad; You will obliege me
To bear her Company. She is a stranger
Which is the cause I crave the trouble from you
Philo.
The Noble Ovid may command me any thing.
But you conferre much Grace on me, to give
Me leave to wait upon a Gallant Lady,
Of so surpassing Excellencies.
Cara.
You complement (Sir) with me
Ovid.
Hereafter you may like better of her Company,
When you are more acquainted with her.
Beware I pray you what you do; Take heed
Speaks to Caralinda aside.
You give not too much Credit to Predictions.
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You bring not ruine on your Flourishing Youth.
Cara.
I will not play the Amazon, believe it
And so (best Poet) for a while Farewell.
Philo.
Your servant, generous Ovid!
Ovid.
Sir, I'm yours,
Exeunt Caralinda, and Philocles.
O Love, and Jealousy! What mighty power
You, mighty passions, have ore humany hearts?
How you too often joyn within one breast,
And joyes that would aspire keep low supprest!
To be enamour'd on a beautifull object;
As naturall to us is, as t'eat, and drink:
But to suspect whom we affect's, a Crime
Declares a guiltiness within one's self;
A want of Merit. Then a wise man should
Make himself worthy of his Mistriss Love,
Or never prosecute his amorous suit.
A discreet Lover in a beautious Out-side
Expects a mind adorn'd with all the virtues;
And holds it an Impiety to think,
So rich a soul can ever stoope to vice.
Therefore the Lover that is rightly bred,
Admits no Jealous thoughts into his head.
I wish Bassanes had prov'd such, then he
Might have enjoy'd an happy Life on earth:
Too passionate Pyrontus then had liv'd,
And (in some time) might have overcome himself:
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Had been alive; This Tragedy had never
Been acted here, which will be famous ever.
Exit.
Scena Secunda.
Enter Bassanes, and Marullus.Mar.
If you would give me leave (as your known Friend)
Whom you have long grac'd with your Amity)
To tell you freely my Opinion,
And no offence, take it. I should tell you
(My Lord Bassanes) I conceive you have
Been much too rash in your proceedings.
Bassa.
How?
If such a thought you harbour of my Actions,
I needs must tell Marullus, that he thinks me
Guilty of my Wife's blood: Do not imagine
Your Friend aspers'd with such a Crime. She was
A Gallant Pallace (to do her beauty right)
Where all the Devils of Lust inhabited.
Mar.
I cannot tell, but if one might give Credit
To her so often serious Protestations,
And to her vowes utter'd with her last breath,
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Bassa.
They that dare play
So foul a Game value not what they say.
Enter Caralinda, and Philocles.
What Lady's that?
Mar.
I never saw her before.
Bassa.
She is a miracle of such Hansomness;
She can no other be but Venus self.
Philo.
Yonder's the Murtherer of my Lord Pyrontus,
And the base user of the best of Women.
My Blood is all on fire at this Encounter,
My Hilt seems Loadstone, and my hand of Iron;
I cannot keep it longer from my Sword.
(A suddain vengeance he deserves), which shall
Fall on him. At this present I'le revenge
The Slaughter of my Friend, and the sad death,
Of his so barbarously abus'd Clorina.
Cara.
Dear Philocles forbear. I do conjure you,
By all the Love you bore unto Pyrontus:
Suppress your Anger for a While; yet know
I wish him but a short Reprieve, and hate him
As much as you. He at a fitter Time
May find his Destiny. Let it not be said
He dy'd it'h presence of a tender mind.
Philo.
I must obey you, Madam!
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She is an object so extreamly ravishing,
I must speak to her.
Mar.
I had thought you had
Done with that Sex for ever.
Bassa.
I resolv'd so,
But Beauty such a Potent Charm is known;
Strongst Resolutions It hath overthrown.
Haile Female goddess, or if (of woman kind)
Haile! rich Epitome of all the Beauty,
That ever yet in severall women Nature
Reveal'd to human eyes!
Cara.
Good Philocles!
Draw back a little. I would find to what
His fine words aime; And he will be more sparing,
(If y' are too near us) to express himself.
Philo.
I will retire a litle. But beware
His flatteries win not on your heart.
Cara.
I warrant you.
Bassa.
My Friend Marullus, I beseech you walk
Aside.
Mar.
I shall, my Lord, obey you.
Good day to Philocles! Pray shun me not:
For I am much afflicted at the Tragedies
Bassanes Rage, and Jealousy have acted;
I had no hand in them, and could I have
Prevented them, they had not been perform'd.
Cara.
You both provoke my wonder, and my blushes,
112
You never saw before!
Philo.
Marullus he hath done such horrid Acts,
The gods can never punish him enough.
Bassa.
It doth become your Beauty, to work such wonders.
Madam! I am one of the chiefest Persons
Of all this Province, and have an heart to love you,
Above the expressions of a Thousand Tongues.
Cara.
Your name (Sir) I beseech you.
Bassa.
'Tis Bassanes.
Cara.
What he that (through his Jealousy, and fury)
Murther'd Pyrontus, and his innocent Wife?
Bassa.
You have been misinform'd. He did deserve
The Fate he found: And her shame broke her heart.
I am the same Bassanes but not guilty
Of any Crime. They in their deaths found Justice.
Cara.
Iv'e heard too much of them already.
But how
Can you so fresh a widdower so soon,
Give Entertainment to a second Flame?
Bassa.
Your Beauty that can work such Miracles
Is a sufficient reason.
Cara.
I may prove
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Should I become your wife.
Bassa.
It is impossible
You are an Heaven where all the virtues meet,
And therefore cannot be inconstant to
Your Wedlock-vowes.
Cara.
I merit not (Bassanes)
This favour at your hands. If I e're wed,
It shal be unto one of my own Country.
Bassa.
Within a Body form'd to all Perfection
That ever liberall Nature, and the gods
Could, can, or ever shall make up (fair stranger),
Give not an Entertainment to Contempt
Of yuor enslav'd Bassanes, neither in'it
Lodge thoughts disdainfull, nor an heart of Flint.
Cara.
'Tis an Astonishment in me to hear you,
To make so passionate discourse to me.
Even One whose name you neither know, nor Fortune:
I may be poor, and vitious.
Bassa.
Nothing but Virtue
Can in a body so Beautifull inhabite.
Vice dares not so presumtious be, as t'enter
Under so fair a Roof: And y' are so rich
In Beauty, that I with more joy should marry you,
114
Cara.
You court me now indeed. I have some business
Of such Concern, that at this time no longer
I can stay with you.
Bassa.
But must you needs be gon?
Cara.
I must, in trueth.
Bassa.
When shall I then receive
So great a blessing as t'enjoy a second time
Your Coveted Company?
Cara.
Within this half hower,
I'le meet you here again.
Bassa.
Y' ave rais'd me to
A joy as great, as Jove himself can know.
Cara.
Come generous Philocles. I will impart
Our Parley freely to you, and acquaint you
With the whole Cause, why I entreated you
To stifle your Revenge, and to retard
His death. You shal know al my secret thoughts.
Philo.
Sweet Caralinda, you obliege me much
I shall attend you any where.
Exeunt Caralinda, and Philocles.
Bassa.
Marullus!
Cupid hath pointed all his shafts, with the
Fair beams of this bright Lady's eies. I am
Become enamour'd on her to that height
That I must marry her, or I shall dye.
115
The Heavens forbid.
Bassa.
Nay rather, friend, may all the gods vouchsafe it.
Mar.
You know not what she is, she may be much
Unworthy of such Nuptialls;
Resist betimes, Physick too late is took
When sickness (through delay) is fix'd at th'root.
Mar.
Surely she can
No other be, but Ovids kins-woman;
Who (we have heard) so lately came to Tomos;
I will presume her, then, of noble Birth.
That excellent Poet is my worthy Friend:
And I may hope will easily be won,
T'assist me to attain her to my wife.
Me thinks he should be glad to have his Cosin
Well Matched here; To be fix'd a constant comfort
Both to his Age, and Grief for his Exilement.
Mar.
May the just Powers Divine, turn all to th'best.
Bass.
If I obtain her to become my Wife,
An Heaven on Earth, I shall enjoy this Life.
Exeunt.
116
Scena Tertia.
Enter Hannibal, and Cacala.Cala.
Sir, I intreat you (my too valiant Captain!)
To give me leave to return home. I have
No mind to such a formidable Dinner.
Han.
What should'st thou fear? My keen victorious Sword
Carries spells strong enough to conjure down
All the unruly Fiends of Pluto's Court.
Therefore for shame take Courage. Thou had'st wont
To have a good stomack to thy meat: And sure
This Gallant Ghost will treat us very Nobly.
Caca.
I have an horror to such Company:
And had a thousand times much rather be
With Mistris Floretta, and converse with her.
Han.
Thou talk'st so often of her that think
Thou art in love with her.
Caca.
I must confess,
I have some smackering that way. But the Awe
I stand in of your Indignation,
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I wish your Captainshipp would cast her off;
And give me leave to make her my honest Wife.
Han.
Thou talk'st Impossibilities, Fool Cacala!
To think to make an whore an honest woman.
Such an One wood indeed prove a strange wonder.
And he that should to such an One be wed,
Might raise a mighty Portion to himself,
By taking mony for the sight of her.
Cacala.
His tongue's no slander.
Aside.
Han.
Walk on: w'are almost there.
Caca.
I'm monstrously afraid.
Han.
Fear nothing in my Company, but the marrying
Of an whore.
Caca.
I ever dreaded stories of Hobgoblins,
But evermore abhord the sight of them:
Beseech you therefore Captain Hannibal,
Give me leave to go back.
Han.
Thou shalt not leave me: I will make thee valiant,
And neither to fear Men, nor Divels.
Caca.
Heaven Bless me!
Han.
We shall have a brave dinner without doubt.
118
Instead of a Calfes head, and glorious Bacon
A skull half rotten of some Malefactour,
Stollen from a Neighbour-Gallows to his own:
And (in the place of a brave side of Venison)
The salt Hanch of some executed Bawd:
And in the room of Grecian Wines, the Moisture
That doth distill from their hang'd putrifi'd bodies.
Sir, I will take my leave.
Han.
Thou shalt go with me,
And (when Employment calls me forth again)
I'le make thee my Lieftenant: w'are almost there.
Look you! He is come down from off his Gibbet.
'Tis the most courteous fellow that ere dy'd
By skurvy Haltar. Wood his Judges were
Trus'd up i'ns place, and all the villanous Jury
That did condemn so brave a Spark.
Enter Spectre.
Spectre.
Welcome thou Noblest Son of Mars Give me
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Cacala.
I wish you would excuse me the Complement.
Spectre.
You need not fear me.
Han.
Cacala be couragious, and dread nothing
My friend Helvidius will no hurt do to thee
Should Cerberus bark but at thee; with my Sword
I (at one blow) would cut off all his heads.
A Table set forth, cover'd with a black Linnen cloth, all the Napkins of the same colour; the meat, and dishes, Bottles, Wine, and all things else.
Spectre.
You see your Entertainment, and are both
Most heartily welcome. Let us sit, and eat.
They all sit down and eat.
Caca.
I do not like the Colour of this Linnen.
The Meat, and Wine, and every thing is black.
Spectre.
'Tis the sole Colour us'd in Pluto's Court.
Caca.
The meat tasts well though. Though I had rather be
At a piece of Bread and Cheese at Madam Cypassis's.
I cannot choose but eat. I think my fear
120
Spectre.
Gallant Hannibal,
I dedicate this Boul to thy Floretta.
Han.
Off with it then, thou only Worthy of
The other world. Here Cacala, thou shall pledg me.
Caca.
I'le do my weak Endeavour.
Han.
I thank you Sir, and in Requitall drink
To him or her you most affect.
Spectre.
Y' are Noble.
Friend Cacala, heres to you, and you conclude it.
Caca.
I dare not do otherwise.
Han.
Would you excuse my Curiosity Sir.
I would enquire Why you were executed.
Spectre.
I'le satisfy you. The Lords, and Gentry of
This City Tomos gave order to a Statuary
To make the Image of the Poet Ovid,
In beaten Massy Gold, for the Honor he
Had done them, by writing an excellent Poeme;
I'th Getick Language in Tiberius praise.
When it was ready to have been presented,
I got into the house, and stole it thence:
Melted it privately, and put it off
By litle Parcels, spent it on wanton wenches,
And among boon Companions. In my Cupps
Brag'd on't to two false Brothers, who betraid me.
Han.
I would they had been born both Dumb, and Fools.
121
I pray you give me leave to be as free
With you. Why were you banish'd and confin'd?
Han.
A poor old woman, and a witch, a Friend
Of mine, pretended an Occasion to make use
Of a live Infant, rip'd out of the Belly
Of's Mother: And th'Enchantment she was hammering
Was for my service. I stole into a Cottage
That stood alone, where such a woman liv'd then,
Found her alone, and had so laid My Plot
That I might undisturb'd proceed; cut up
Her belly, took her Infant thence, and sow'd
A Cat up in the Place; So she enjoyn'd me.
This simple Sorceress being for other
Matters accus'd, and like to dye, confes'd
This Prank.
Spectre.
How chanc'd it, you escap'd with life?
Caca.
My Captain is the greatest villain that
I ever heard of: I will leave his service:
Although I have oft been told of this before.
Han.
The Favorite, all-powerfull Sejanus,
Did bring me off with life. I help'd him to
Floretta's maidenhead, For which good turn
I also had some Baggs cram'd with Sesterces.
Spect.
You had good fortune to escape so well.
122
Some business calls me home, I give you thanks
For this brave Entertainment; So Farewell.
Spectre.
I pray you stay a while, you shall Look on
A little Maskque I have provided for you.
Han.
You much obliege me, and are over liberal
Of your high Favours to me.
Enter (after very solemn loud Musick) Æacus, Rhadamanthus, and Minos, the Judges of Hell; Alecto, Tysyphone, and Megæra the Furies; and dance altogether to lowe Musick.
Spectre.
Æacus, Minos, and Rhadamanthus, the three
Judges in Hell; Tysyphone, Megæra, and Alecto,
The Furies there (of equall number to them)
Lead in a Dance.
Cacala.
Can Divels be so merry!
But I had ever thought there had been rather
Three thousand Judges there, then three; I wonder
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For oft, on earth, one woman hath more in her.
The Dance ended, this Song follows.
I.
Most happy is the Libertine,And of mankind the most ingenious;
Who from grave precepts doth decline,
And doth indulge his Joviall Genius.
Oh! the joyes, the joyes,
They have that follow Vice,
Without any fear of the gods:
Who freely wast their Treasures,
To purchase them their Pleasures;
And are with the virtuous at odds.
II.
The Atheist is the greatest fool,Who only aimes to please his Senses;
Thinking in heaven no gods bear rule,
And tipples, murthers, swears, and wenches.
Oh! the woes, the woes,
That follow all those
Who weare out their lifes in vice,
That swear, whore, kill, and drink
And never them bethink,
Till they fall into Hell in a trice.
124
Han.
Must I be then betraid thus! False Helvidius!
Exeunt. with him.
And foolish Hannibal to trust to Spectres!
Spec.
Away with him. Down to the Infernall shades
Of Griesly Pluto's Kingdom let him sink.
A fouler soul was never seen in Hell,
Wher's Witchcrafts, Rapes, Murthers, and vitious Life
Will find a sutable endless punishment.
The Spectre vanisheth.
Caca.
This was a Terrible sight indeed. Heaven keep me
But in my wits till I can see Floretta.
And I shall tell her such a Tale, as will
Make her turn virtuous, if she hath not lost
All love to th'Powers Divine, and fears no vengeance.
Exit.
125
Scena Quarta.
Enter Bassanes, Solus.Bassa.
I find my self half rais'd to happiness
Already, after my so late Affliction.
The stranger Ladie's Beauties triumph here
Within my heart; My hopes are fair enough
That I shall win her to become my wife:
Then all my future daies I shall esteem
To be a lasting Festivall, and more
To be priz'd by me then are all the Fasti,
Observ'd the year through, in our Kalender.
Enter Phœbianus, and Philocles.
Phœbia.
I now have made you well acquainted with
My Person, and my History, and have to you
Reveal'd the reason why I did entreat
You to forbear Bassanes, when your Rage
Would fain have flung you on him. Now you know
The cause why I will meet him. Give me therefore
Leave (Noble Philocles) to go alone.
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Any need of your kind Assistance. 'Tis
The will, sure, of the gods, that I should singly
Encounter him. Therefore retire (my Friend,)
Neer hereabouts you may conceal your self:
You within call may stay, I shall have quickly
Dispatch'd with him, and shall not fail then to
Hollow you back. See there he is a Walking,
And waiting my approach.
Philo.
You must command me,
The Gods be with you.
Philocles withdraws.
Phœbia.
Well met Bassanes. Ovids kins-woman,
The stranger Caralinda, hath imploid me
To you, to make Apology for her
Not meeting you according to her promise;
Why do you look so wishly on me? Do you
Know me?
Bassa.
I certainly have seen your face
Before. Some Alteration that I find
Some years of absene might have made. Resolve me
I pray you Sir, Are you not Phœbianus?
Pyrontus younger Brother, that have spent
Three, or four years abroad? If y' are not he
127
Phœbia.
I Phœbianus am, and Caralinda,
Whom you so lately troubled with your Courtshipp.
Through the Providence of the Almighty Gods,
I met with thee in that disguise: And parted
From thee but to divest me of those Cloathes,
And bring my sword to our next Parly. 'Tis needless
To tell thee more; And I have too much time
Trifled away in this Discourse. Pray draw
Your sword; For one of us must dye.
Thou trayterously, and unawares did'st murther
My brave, and hopefull Brother. Though he lov'd
Clorina, he deserv'd her better farr
Then thou, never attempted violence unto her,
And (in a litle Time) might have subdu'd
His too unruly passion. Thou hast broke
Thy Innocent Lady's heart with usages
More horrid then a Scythian ever practis'd:
Therefore unless you will dye basely, draw.
Bassa.
You are a glorious Talker, fine young man:
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And the fond Confidence you seem to have
In your own valour.
Phœbia.
Let us try your skill.
Bassa:
Y'ave sought your ruine by provoking me.
They Fight.
Phœbia.
So. Have you yet enough?
Bassa.
Oh! You have slain me.
I have received so home a Thrust, I dye.
Without another word.
Bassanes die's
Enter Marullus.
Phœbia.
Marullus in an equall Duell I
Have kil'd your Friend. The gods did guide my sword,
Justice was on my side: He slew my Brother:
And I in Roman honor could do no less,
And to preserve my Reputation cleare,
Among the Getes my Country-men, then to
Fight fairly with him.
Mar.
My mind misgave me some dysastrous Fate
Would overtake him for so foule a Murther.
Though I am Griev'd at his sad death, I'am glad
You are, my Lord, return'd so safely home.
129
You'l see his body convey'd unto his house.
Mar.
I shall not fail.
Phœbia.
The gods preserve you.
Mar.
Farewell, brave Phœbianus.
Phœbia.
Friend Philocles!
Call's aloud.
Philo.
I'm (at your service) here.
Phœbia.
Stay, and Il'e come to you.
Exit.
Mar.
Draw near you that his servants are, and bear
Enter Servants.
This sad Load to his Pallace.
Exeunt.
Scena Quinta.
Enter Captain Dacus, Cacala, Cypassis, Floretta, and Spinella.Cypas.
It was a Lamentable Spectacle
We met withall as we came hither.
Dacus.
An usuall one; a dead man:
We Souldiers smile upon a thousand such.
Cypas.
Bassanes was an extraordinary Person.
Dacus.
Cæsars, and Lords, must dy.
Caca.
You talk of Trifles. The story I related you,
Of my Master Captain Hanniballs being took away with Devils,
130
Hell broke loose on him, Divels, and Divels-Dam's
Ceaz'd both upon him. He would faine have hung
An Arse, but no Resistance could prevail:
Away they hurried him, and left me in
So great a fear, I know not how I came home.
Flor.
Thou hast told us too much of this already,
And too often.
Caca.
T'will never out of my Memory.
Flor.
Nor from thy tongue I fear.
Caca.
Oh fear the gods, Mistriss Floretta, fear them
Take heed, the Divels show you not such a Trick:
Turn virtuous pritty One, and marry me.
For I do love thee above woman kind,
Show thy self therefore to me a kind woman.
Flor.
Though I am sorry my Hannibal is perish'd so:
I cannot call him back; And must some care
Take of my self. And therefore Cacala
I'le be thy wife. All his remaining Goods
Are ours.
Caca.
And I have something too to trust to
131
Cypas.
Here's a Match soon made up.
Flor.
We will return to Rome.
Caca.
With all my heart.
Dacus.
And will my fair Spinella prove as kind?
Spinel.
Now Lord Bassanes is dead, I am content
To receive Captain Dacus for my Husband:
Mother! I hope of your allowance to it.
Cypas.
And you shall have it. The gods grant you joy.
Dacus.
My Mother Cypassis now indeed!
Cypas.
You knew her Father. He was your Countriman
And a fine Gentleman, when he in Rome
Did marry me; I else should never have been
Content t'have liv'd in so remote a Province.
Though his good nature, and many Losses at Sea,
Melted away most of his Land, we have
Silver and Gold enough to make you live
In plenty.
Dacus.
Mother, I kiss your reverent hand
In Gratitude. What my own means may prove
Deficient in, my valour shall supply.
Spin.
Wee'l have no fighting nor any Quarrelling:
I am for peace. Love hates the noise of War.
132
You are too timorous; Grow as affectionate:
For thus I print my Soul upon thy Lipps.
Caca.
Let us go home, send for a Priest of Hymens;
And presently each Couple on's be married.
Omnes.
Agreed, agreed.
Caca.
I dare not lye alone to night for fear
My Captain, or his Friends, should give me a visit.
Spinel.
Was Hannibal, a Gentleman by birth?
Dacus.
My pritty One—
Brave Hannibal the famous Carthaginian,
Who march'd like Mars, even to the walls of Rome,
And fought against that Senate for the worlds Empire;
In one of's winter Quarters at Salapia,
Obtain'd th'Affection of a Beautifull Lady
Call'd Issidora: And from them he was
Descended lineally; As He lately told me.
Spinel.
And is now
Descended to the Divel; we have heard, how
Exeunt Omnes.
133
Scena Sexta.
Enter Ovid, Phœbianus, Philocles, Armelina, and Servants.Phœbia.
My Father (on his death bed) did enjoyn me.
(For Educations sake) to stay so long.
You grace me (excellent Armelina) much
After so long a Triall to receive me.
Arme.
I nothing have worthy your Acceptation,
But my reciprocall Return of Love.
Phœbia.
I kiss your hand for so immense a bounty.
But why (my fairest) would you never honor
My many Letters with one single Answer?
Arme.
I durst not; fearing (among the Roman-Ladies)
You might have made a second Choice, and then
Have left me, blasted in my Reputation.
Phœbia.
I was too true, and you was too severe
Arme.
But wherefore came you so disguis'd; and why?
134
Phœbia.
'Tis reasonable, that I should satisfy you.
Just upon my departure out of Italy,
My Curiosity lead me to Trasullus,
One of the chief Astrologers of these Times,
And happy in foretelling future fortunes:
I made Friends to him, and receiv'd these verses.
“Return disguis'd in womans Cloathes, and you
“The Murtherer of your Friend shall pay his due;
‘Obtain your Mistriss to become your Bride,
“And with her gain a world of wealth beside.
Ovid.
Bassanes his death, and fair Clorinas's wealth,
(You being her Heir) added to your great Portion,
Confirm for Trueth the Soothsayer's Prediction
Arme.
And I again must thank you for so bravely
Revenging on Bassanes, his foul Cruelties.
But why (my Phœbianus) would you not
Disclose your self to me?
Phœbia.
You are my Countri-woman; And I fear'd
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But now (divinest Lady) when shall I
Be made so happy by your gratious self,
As to receive you for my Bride?
Arme.
As soon
As I can give some stint unto my Tears;
After my Sisters Obsequies are past.
Philo.
Pray listen! What noise is that without? I think
I hear an horn, and 'tis some Post.
Enter A Post.
Phœbia.
From whence, my Friend, come you?
Post.
From Rome.
Phylo.
What news?
Post.
I've Letters for the famous Poet Ovid.
Ovid.
Deliver them. I'am that unfortunate man.
Ovid breaks open his Letters and reads.
I am undone for ever. No more hope,
For my Return must ever Flatter me.
My wife writes to me, she hath us'd the utmost
Of her Endeavour (assisted by the chiefest
Of both our Friends, and of most power with Cæsar.)
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To a more temperate Clime; And that th'are both
Refus'd her; and she enjoyn'd perpetuall silence,
In my behalf. Besides, my Friend Græcinus,
(A Roman of high nore) hath writ me word
The Gracious Princess Julia, our great Empress
And my best Friend is, in Trimerus, dead.
One of these News were much too much to strike
My poor and Crazy body into my Grave:
But joyning both their Poysonous stings together;
I needs must to the world this Truth impart,
That Ovid dies here of a broken Heart.
Dies.
Phyl.
It was too sad a Truth his last breath did
Express: For he, alas! is dead indeed.
Arme.
Death is too prodigall of his Tragedies
In this small City. I must spare from my
Clorina's Fate one shower of tears to shed.
Upon his Grave.
Phyl.
Not only we, but all the Getick Nation
Were worse then barbarous, paid we not that duty
To Excellent Ovid's infelicious End.
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He was a most accomplish'd Gentleman,
A Person affable, and sweet condition'd;
And of the Roman Poets the most ingenious!
Phyl.
He was in Italie at Salmo born
A pleasant City within the Territory
Of the Peligui, and descended of
The Ancient Family of the Nasones;
Who had preserv'd the Dignity of Roman
Knights, from the first Original of that Order.
I'th Asiatick wars, he under Varro
Had eminent Command, and well discharg'd it:
Who now alas (after seaven years exilement)
Hopeless of a Repeal, hath breath'd his last.
Arme.
Take up his Noble Body, and bear it gently
To his own house; We all will wait on it thither.
Phœbia.
I'le have a stately Monument erected,
(Without our City walls, near the chief Gate)
To his fair Memory, to declare the Gratitude
Of Tomos to him; for the Honour It
Receiv'd by his so long abode among us:
Enclos'd in which (within a Mable-urne)
Curiously wrought, his Ashes shall for ever
Remain in peace; An endless Grace to Pontus!
Phil.
No Poet ever did more glory contribute
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The Soul of Poetry feels a Convulsion
By his Decease He no superiour knew,
In that sweet Art, And was great Virgil Equal.
His works have an Eternity stamp'd on them,
Do far exceed the Consul Cicero's verses,
And all the Lines sacred Augustus ever.
Writ in a numerous strain; All the fine Poems,
The Darling of the People, the Facecious
And valiant Prince Cæsar Germanicus
Hath publish'd with Applause; And all such Things
Though writ by hands that were the spoyls of Kings.
Ovids Body being removed. Exeunt Omnes.
| The Tragedy of Ovid | |