University of Virginia Library

Scena ultima.
Enter Hydaspes, Persina his Queene, Sysimethres with attendance.
Hydasp.
Persina welcome to our campe, how durst
Our fairest Queene adventure forth to see
The angry face of Mars? this is no object
For Ladies eyes, dame Uenus sport's more proper.

Pers.
Where you are sir, there is my object fixt,
Whether at home or here, all's one to me,
Besides, where Mars is, there will Venus be.

Hydasp.
This was a favour we expected not;
I must imbrace thee; O Sysimethres,
What is there wanting in the curious modell
Of this rare Architecture, built by nature,
That mortall or immortall eye can see
To adde more beautie to it then it hath?
Nothing, I know you'll grant it, then what pitty
Thinke you it is, so beautifull a frame
And building should containe within it's wombe
No living creature, no inhabitant
That might support it's ruines, but stand rather
For prospect then for benefit?

Pers.
this pointes
At my unfruitfull wombe.

aside.
Sysim.
I graunt it sir,
But if the gods have order'd that this house
So statelie built by them, this temple rather
Shall be reserv'd for their immortall uses,
And have forbid that any mortall seed
Shall dwell therein: it argueth in you
Sinne and impietie so to repine
At their decrees and secret operations.

Enter a gentleman attendant.
Gent.
Sir the fore-riders of your royall army
Have tane two prisoners the most beautifull'st
That ere were seene, a young man and a maid,
They waite without attending what's your pleasure.

Hydasp.
Let them be brought forthwith into our presence,
They may be found a fitting sacrifice
And an oblation to be offered
Unto our gods for this our victorie,
Being the first fruites of the warres.
Enter Theagines, Cariclea, Aura and Bogoas the officer of Oroondates lead in prisoners.
Yee gods
The king raiseth himselfe from his throne, And sits downe againe in a studie.
Be mercifull unto me!

Sysim.
What doth aile
Your royall majestie, that you remayne
In such a studious meditation?

Hydasp.
I had a dreame last night Sysimethres,
That did present unto my fantasie
A beautious virgin, such as is this maid
Telling me that she was my naturall daughter:
But whence are you, and of what countrey borne?

Theag.
Great King, I am her brother, she my sister,
Both borne in Greece.

Hydas.
O noble Greece, that still
Producest what is good, and at this time
Hast given us such faire offerings to present
Unto our gods; but O thou beautious maid,
Why dost thou hold thy peace, and answerest not
Unto my question?

Caric.
At the sacred altars
Of the immortall gods (to whom we are
Reserv'd for sacrifices) you shall know
Me and my parents.

Pers.
O sir, what a mayd
Have you appointed to be sacrific'd?
Ne're have mine eyes beheld a fairer creature;
With what a stout and an undaunted courage
Beares she her fortune? I am mov'd with pity
At her so flowring age, O had my daughter
I bare unto you liv'd, she would have beene
Almost as old as she, I doe beseech you
Spare her, and let her serve me at my table,
For I am prompted strangely by my Genius
Unto commiseration.

Hydas.
So am I,
Beyond imagination, but you know
The Law requires the first fruits of the warre
Should be the gods oblation, to the Sunne
Therefore we'll offer him, she to the Moone,
The gods must be obey'd, the lawes fulfil'd.

They all offer to rise, Cariclea fals at the feet of Sysimethres.
Caric.
Wise, grave, and learned sir, be pleas'd to stay
A little longer, for I have a cause
Of consequence to plead before the King
And Queene Persina, which concernes them too
As well as me, this matter doth require
A speedy judgment, and I heare that you
Give sentence on such noble personager;
Therefore judge you this plea of life and death,
And know it is not just to offer me
Unto the gods.

Sysim.
Vouchsafe to heare, most gracious Soveraigne,
This strange appeale, and what this maid requireth.

Hydasp.
What judgement may this be? or what have I
To doe with her? by what meanes should I come
Into her danger?

Sysim.
Please you to attend,
She will declare it.

Hydas.
But take heed that this
You doe, be no true judgment, but plaine wrong,
If I that am a King must stand to plead
My cause with any prisoner whatsoever.

Sysim.
Justice and equity ner'e lookes into
The person, but the cause, and he speeds best
That brings best reasons.

Hydasp.
But the Law permits
You onely to determine controversies
Betweene the King and subjects, not with strangers.

Sysim.
Wise and discreet men doe not measure things
By the appearance but by equity.

Hydasp.
Well let her speake, since good Sysimethres
Will have it so, but it is manifest,
She will say nothing to the purpose, but
Some forg'd devise to shun the stroke of death.

Caric.
O Sunne, thou founder of my ancestros
High pedegree, and all ye other gods.
Ye noble men that here are met together
Assist me in this place, and be a witnesse
That what I say is true, and by firme proofes
It shall appeare: doe you command, O King,
Strangers or your owne subjects to be offer'd?

Hydasp.
Strangers.

Caric.
Then it is fit and necessary,
You seeke out such, I am no stranger borne,
But of this countrey, and your subject too.

Hydasp.
Thou liest.

Caric.
You seeme to wonder at small things,
But there are greater undiscover'd yet,
I am not onely of this Country borne,
But of the royall blood.

Hydasp.
This woman's mad,
Away I'le heare no more such lunacie.

Hydaspes turnes from her in anger.
Caric.
My royall father, I beseech you know
Your onelie daughter and despise her not.

Hydasp.
Sysimethres and grave Gymnosophists,
How long shall she abuse my patience?
This mayd's distracted, and the feare of death
Makes her speake any thing how false soever,
How bould and impudent; I know I had
Sometimes a daughter, but she dy'd assoone
As she was borne, this is a false impostor,
Wherefore away with her, and let's delay
The sacrifice no longer.

Caric.
none shall dare
To take me hence, unlesse the judges please
So to command, for you are not to judge
In your owne cause although a King, but must
Be subject to the law aswell as others
Which priviledgeth you perchance to kill
Strangers, but neither this law, nor the law
Of nature doth allow you to destroy
Your naturall children, for the gods to day
Shall by a strange discoverie make you know
I am your daughter, though you now disclaime me.
All controversies in the law depend
One these two pointes especiallie, that is
Firme proofe by writings, and sure confirmation
By witnesses, both which I can produce
To prove I am your child, my witnesse shall not
Be common neither, but the judge himselfe,
And heer's a writing shall declare both mine
And your estate.

She gives the Fascia to the Queene, she knowes it and is amazed.
Hydasp.
What meaneth this Persina, that thy blood
Thus comes and goes, and that thy countenance
Weares such an alteration? is there ought
Contayned in this writing troubleth thee?

Pers.
O King, my Lord and husband, I have nothing
To say unto it; but take heed, and read it
Your selfe, the same shall teach you well and truelie.

Hydaspes reads it to the end, then gives it to Sysimet: and the rest.
Hydasp.
Persina doe you owne this character
As your owne hand, and know the birth to be
Legitimate and true?

Pers.
By Sunne and Moone I sweare it.

Hydasp.
Although you tould me that my daughter dy'd,
I yet believe she was exposed forth
As heere is mention'd but who was the man
That tooke her up and carryed her to Ægypt,
How shall I know that he was taken with her,
Or this is she, or whether the exposed
Be dead or no, besides whether some man
When he hap'd to finde this might his good luck
Abuse, and make her play this famed part,
Mocking the great desire we have of issue
By the suborning of some changelinge and
Colouring the truth with this devised Fascia.
All these doubts must be cleer'd ere I believe.

Sysim.
I can resolve you in the first, for I
Was he that tooke her up, and carried her
With me to Ægypt, when you sent me thither
Embassadour (you know we may not lye
Who are Gymnosophists) I know this Fascia,
Written with Æthiopias royall letters.
Therefore you need not doubt that it is forg'd.
Besides tis signed with Persinas hand;
But there are other tokens that I gave
To him that did receive you at my hands
Can you produce them?

Caric.
Yes, loe heere they are

She showes Sisimet: and the queene her jewels.
Hydasp.
What are they? doe you know them?

Pers.
Yes with wonder.

Caric.
These jewells were my mothers, but this ringe
Was yours, I thinke you know the Pantarbe well.

Hydasp.
I doe and all the rest, but whether you
Came by them as my daughter, that I know not,
You might have got them by some other meanes,
For to omit all other needles questions,
Your colour's strange and the like never seene
In Æthiopia.

Sysim.
She was also white
That I brought up, and with this virgins age
Doth correspond the terme of yeeres when she
Was forth exposed being seuenteene yeeres,
So old seemes this faire mayd.

Hydasp.
Sysimethres
In my opinion you have show'd your selfe
An advocate in this cause, not a judge,
Beware least while you strive to cleere this doubt,
I may suspect Persina hath beene false,
For how ist possible that such a thing
Sould be in nature, we two being black
To have an issue white? this is against
All humane sence, and reason naturall.

Sysim.
The Fascia tells you how this came to passe,
Persina in the act of generation
Contemplatively eying the faire picture
Of beautifull Andromeda, and firing
A strong imagination thereupon,
Conceived in her wombe the very figure
Of Perseus Mistris when she was bound fast
Unto the rocke, and he redeem'd her thence,
For proofe let that same picture be presented,
And then compare them, you shall finde the substance
And shadow nothing different but in life.

Enter a Gentleman attendant.
Gent.
Sir there's a strange priest newlie come from Greece
Desires he may be heard touching this matter,
Who can informe you of the truth of thinges.

Hydasp.
admit him streight.
Enter Caricles with the gentleman.
Grave Sir can you declare
Ought of this matter, doe you know this mayd
And that young man?

Caric.
I know them both great King;
That maid which shall be found to be your daughter
I nourish'd from a child; one of this countrey
Gave her to me in Ægypt, and with her
Rich costlie jewells, and a Fascia,
Wherein was written her high pedegree;
With her I went to Greece my native countrey,
And being priest unto Apollo there,
When I was busie in the rites and customes
Belonging to my office, This Thessalian,
Who vaunts himselfe borne of Achilles line,
Stole her from Delphos, and I understand
Pass'd many daungers with her; I forgive him
And crave you would be pleas'd to doe so too;
For since the gods by diverse signes and tokens
Have unto us reveild their sacred willes,
And made it plaine by strange discoveries,
Strive not to crosse their workings.

Cariclea fals at Caricles feete.
Caric.
O my Father,
As deare unto me as those that begat me,
Take what revenge you please, lo here I stand
T'abide your sentence.

Caric.
O how largely am I
Embraceth her and weepes for joy.
Rewarded for my travell! tis ynough.
I have beheld thy face yet once againe.

Sysim.
What Caricles, doe you not know your friend?
Have you forgot the Æthiopian Legat?

salutes him.
Caric.
No, no, I have not good Sysimethres,
But doe congratulate our happy meeting.

Hydasp.
We have heard and seene ynough, I'm yet unmov'd;
Bring in the picture of Andromeda.

Enter the picture of Andromeda, the King for joy and admiration could not speake, the people give a great shout.
Sysim.
One point is wanting yet, strip up your sleeve
Faire maid, there was a blacke spot 'boue your elbow.
It is no shame to shew a naked arme
Before your parents for to prove your birth.

She showes there a mole, the Queene runs and embraceth her.
Hydasp.
You strive to wash me white an Æthiopian
In hindering this sacrifice, you shall
Doe one aswell as tother, for although
I now believe she is my naturall daughter
Sprung from my loynes (as I have seene it prov'd
By many arguments) yet I so much
Feare justice and the gods, and owe such love
Unto my country, as i'le lay aside
All naturall respects, and all regard
To the succession of my blood, and offer
My daughter to the gods for your behoofe,
(As Agamemnon did his Iphigene)
Regarding more the publique benefit
Then my owne private profit and respect.

All the people.
Save the blood-royall, save her whom the gods
Will have preserv'd, appease the Sunne and Moone
With a more lawfull sacrifice.

Hydasp.
Well since
You'l have it so, though loath I am content;
And now I turne to thee my daughter deere
With armefuls of my love; but what is he
That was tane with thee, whom you cal'd your brother?
I trow he shall not too be prov'd my sonne.

Caric.
In that sir pardon me, I did abuse you,
He's not my brother, but necessity
Compell'd me to dissemble, what he is
Himselfe can boldly tell you.

Hydasp.
Whatsoe're
He be, he's destin'd to be sacrificed,
Some women too must beare him company.
This mayd that waites on you shall serve the turn.

Caric.
If he be sacrific'd, Ile be that woman,
Death must not part us two.

Hydasp.
The gods forbid,
Why say you so?

Caric.
Because tis fore-decreed
I must both live and die with that yong man.

Hydas.
I praise your courtesie and gentle nature
Unto this Grecian stranger, who hath beene
Companion of your journey, but we cannot
Breake so the custome of our Country, as
To save his life.

Caric.
Then I must perish with him,
For know, O king, (perchance I may not dare
To call you father) it is cruelty
To spare my body, and destroy my heart,
He is my heart, my love, my life, and all,
My husband by the destinies appointed,
And it is sinne t'oppose the gods decrees.

Hydas.
What will you counsell me to doe herein,
Sysimethres and thou most reverend Priest,
I will be guided by your wisdomes wholly
In this affaire,

Sysim.
Through the exercise of joy
The wisest men, oft-times we see are blinded.
For at the first, great King you might perceive
The gods lik'd not this sacrifice which was
Ordained, who have every way declar'd
Cariclea your daughter, and brought hither
Out of the midst of Greece this reverend man,
Who brought her up, to fortifie your faith.
Moreover it is plaine by many signes
And secret revelations that the gods
Have fore-decreed this couple man and wife,
And to that end have freed them from so many
And imminent dangers, therefore let us suffer
These divine miracles to sinke into
Our understandings, and from this time forward
Doe sacrifices more acceptable
Unto the gods, who are not pleased with
Humane oblations, but the blood of beasts.

Hydas.
Since things are thus appointed by the will
And pleasure of the gods, since this faire couple
Have beene preserv'd by fate from many dangers
By Land and Sea, and as should seeme reserv'd
For Hymens instigation, ile no longer
Resist the will of heaven, heavens send you joy,
puts their hands together.
And a most plenteous off-spring to succeed you,
This is our firme decree, which we'll confirme
By sacrifice, and worshipping the gods.
O Sunne and Moone, whose sacred deities
We most adore, since it is falne out thus
By your decrees, that young Theagines
And faire Cariclea are made man and wife,
Accept their offerings, and vouchsafe to take them
Into the order of your holy Priesthood.
Theagines, I doe resigne unto thee
My office, be thou Priest unto the Sunne,
Weare this white Miter.

Takes his Miter and puts it on Theagines his head.
Pers.
And Cariclea thou
Weare this of mine, which consecrateth thee
Priest of the Moone, adore her Deity.

Caric.
Now is the god Apollos Oracle
Of Delphos verified, which said of them
That leaving Greece, and sailing surging streames
They should arrive at Countries scorch'd with Phœbus burning beames,
Where they as recompences due that vertues rare doe gaine,
In time to come ere it be long white Miters should obtaine.

Exeunt omnes.