The Blinde begger of Alexandria most pleasantly discoursing his variable humours in disguised shapes full of conceite and pleasure |
 | The Blinde begger of Alexandria |  |
Aegiale.
Leaue me a while my Lordes and waite for me,
At the blacke fountayne, by Osiris groue,
Ile walke alone to holy Irus caue,
Talking a little while with him and then returne.
Exeunt omnes.
Manet Aegiale.
Ianthe begone.
Now Irus Let thy mindes eternall eye,
Extend the vertue of it past the Sunne.
Ah my Cleanthes where art thou become,
But since I saued thy guiltlesse life from death,
And turnd it onely into banishment,
Forgiue me loue, mee pittie comfort mee.
Enter Irus the Begger with Pego.
Pego.
Maister.
Irus.
Pego-
Pego.
VVipe your eyes and you had them.
Jrus.
VVhy Pego.
Pego.
The Queene is here to see your blindnes.
Irus.
Her Maiestie is wel come, Heauens preserue,
And send her highnes an immortall rayne.
Ægi.
Thankes reuerent Irus for thy gentle prayer,
Dismisse thy man a while and I will lead thee,
For I haue waightie secretes to impart.
Pego.
Would I were blind that she might lead mee.
Exit.
Ægi.
Irus thy skill to tell the driftes of fate,
Our fortunes and thinges hid from sensuall eyes,
Hath sent mee to thee for aduertisment.
VVhere Duke Cleanthes liues that was exilde,
And offering stayne to Ægipts royall bed.
Irus.
I hope your maiestie will pardon mee,
If Conscience make me vtter what I thinke,
Of that hye loue affayres twixt him and you.
Ægi.
I will sweete Jrus being well assurd,
That whatsoeuer thy sharpe wisdomes sees,
In my sad frailtie thou willt haue regard,
To my estate and name and keepe it close-
Jrus.
Of that your highnes may be well assurde,
Then I am bound madam to tell you this,
That you your selfe did seeke Cleanthes loue,
And to aspire it, made away his Dutches,
VVhich he well knowing and affecting her,
Deare as his life denyed to satisfie,
That kindenesse offered twixt your selfe and him.
Therefore did you in rage informe the Duke,
He sought your loue, and so he banisht him.
Ægi.
To true it is graue Irus thou hast tould,
But for my loues sake which not Gods can rule,
Strike me no more of that wound yet too greene,
But onely tell me where Cleanthes is,
That I may follow him in some disguise,
And make him recompence for all his wrong.
Irus
Cleanthes is about this Cittie off,
VVith whom your maiestie shall meete ere long:
And speake with him, if you will vse such meanes,
As you may vse for his discouery.
Ægi.
VVhat shall I vse then what is in my power,
I will not vse for his discouery,
Ile bind the winges of loue vnto myne armes,
And like a Eagle prying for her pray,
VVill ouerlooke the earthes round face for him,
VVere this sufficient.
Or I will Moorelike learne to swimme and diue.
Into the bottome of the Sea for him.
Thetis in rage with loue would rauish him.
VVere this sufficient.
Irus.
But Maddam this must be the likliest meane
To seeke him out, and haue him at your will
Let his true picture through your land be sent.
Opposing great rewardes to him that findes him,
And threaten death to them that succour him,
So Ile assure your grace shall meete with him eare long.
Aegi
Happie and blest be Irus for his skill
He sweetely plantes in my contentious mind,
For which most reuerent and religious man,
I giue this Iewell to thee richly worth.
A kentall or an hundreth waight of gold,
Bestow it as thou list on some good worke,
For well I know thou nothing doost reserue,
Of all thy riches men bestow on thee,
But wouldst thou leaue this place and poore mans life,
The count of Aegipt should imbrace thy feete,
And Toples honors be bestowed on thee,
Irus.
I thanke your highnes for thus raysing mee,
But in this barrennesse I am most renound.
For wisdome and the sight of heauenly thinges,
Shines not so cleare as eathlye vanities.
Aegi.
Most rich is Irus in his pouertie
Oh that to finde his skill my crowne were lost.
None but poore Irus can of riches boast,
Now my Cleanthes I will straight aduance
Thy louely pictures on each monument
About the Cittie and within the land.
Proposing twise fiue thousand Crownes to him,
That findes him to be tendered by my handes,
And a kind kisse at my imperiall lipes,
To him that succours him, Ile threaten death,
But he that doth not threaten him shall die,
For who is worthy, life will see him want.
VVill I continuall pilgrimages make,
As to the saintes and Idols I adore,
VVhere I will offer sighes, and vowes, and teares.
And sacrifice a hecatombe of beast,
On seuerall alters built where they are plast,
By them shal Isis stature gently stand,
And Ile pretend my Iealous rites to her
But my Cleanthes shall the obiect bee,
And I will kneele and pray to none but he.
Exit.
Irus.
See Earth and Heauen where her Cleanthes is,
I am Cleanthes and blind Irus too,
And more then these, as you shall soone perceaue,
Yet but a shepheardes sonne at Memphis borne,
And I will tell you how I got that name,
My Father was a fortune teller and from him I learnt his art.
And knowing to grow great, was to grow riche,
Such mony as I got by palmestrie,
I put to vse and by that meanes became
To take the shape of Leon. by which name,
I am well knowne a wealthie Vsurer,
And more then this I am two noble men,
Count Hermes is another of my names,
And Duke Cleanthes whom the Queene so loues.
For till the time that I may claime the crowne,
I meane to spend my tyme in sportes of loue,
VVhich in the sequell you shal playnely see,
And Ioy I hope in this my pollicie.
Enter Pego, Elimine, Samaphis, and Martia with there men Menippus, Pollidor, and Druso.
Pego.
Oh maister heere comes the three wenches now
strike it deade for a fortune.
Irus.
These are the nymphes of Alexandria.
So called because there beauties are so rare.
VVith two of them at once am I in loue
My silly brother heere asmuch affectes,
VVhom I haue made the Burgomaister of this rich towne,
VVith the great wealth, I haue bestowed on him,
All three are maides kept passing warilye,
Yet lately beeing at their Fathers house as I was Leon the rich vserer
I fell in loue with them, and there my brother too,
This fitly chaunceth that they haue liberty,
To visit me alone: now will I tell their fortunes so,
As may make way to both their loues at once,
The one as I am Leon the rich vserer,
The other as I am the mad brayne Count,
And do the best too, for my brothers loue,
Pe.
Thanks good maister brother, but what are they that
Talke with themso long are they wooers trow,
I do not like it, would they would come neare.
Irus.
O those are three seruantes that attend on them,
Let them alone, let them talke a while.
Eli.
Tell vs Menippus, Druso, and Polydor,
VVhy all our parentes gaue you three such charge,
To waite on vs and ouer see vs still,
VVhat do they feare, thinke you that we would do.
Mem.
There feare is least you should accompanie,
Such as loue wanton talke, and dalliance,
Eli.
VVhy what is wanton talke.
Mem.
To tell you that were to offend our selues,
And those that haue forbidden you should heare it.
Sa.
VVhy what is dalliance sayes my seruant then,
Dru.
You must not know because you must not dally.
Sa.
How say you by that, well do you keepe it from
vs, as much as you can, weele desire it neuerlesse I can tell ye,
Mar.
Lord what straite keepers of poore maides are you,
You are so chast you are the worse agayne:
Eli.
Pray you good seruantes will you do vs the seruice,
To leaue vs alone a while.
Mem.
VVe are commaunded not to be from you,
Were to wrong the trust your parentes put in vs.
Ma.
I cry you mercy sir, yet do not stand all on the
Trust our parentes puts in you, but put vs in a litell to I pray.
Sa.
Trust vs good seruantes by our selues a while.
Dru.
Lets my mastrs and you say the woord,
Theyle but to Irus for to know theire fortunes,
And hees a holy man all Egypt knowes.
Mem.
Stay not to long, then mistris and content,
Eli.
Thats my good seruant we will straight returne.
Po.
And you mistris.
Mar.
And I trustie seruant.
Po.
Faith then Ile venter my charge among the rest.
Exeunt
Mar.
A mightie venture you shall be cronicled in Abrahams asses,
Catalog of cockscombes for your resolution.
Eli.
Now the great foole take them all who could haue,
Pickt out three such liuelesse puppies,
Neuer to venter on their mistrisses.
Sa.
One may see by them it is not meete choise men should haue offices,
Mar.
A prettie morrall work it in the samplar of your hart,
Eli.
But are we by our selues.
Mar.
I thinke so vnlesse you haue alone in your belly.
Eli.
Not I God knowes I neuer camewhere they grew yet,
Since we are alone lets talke a little merrily,
Mee thinkes I long to know what wanton talke and dalliance is
Sa.
Ile lay my life tis that my mother vses when she and others,
Do beginne to talke and that she sayes to me mayde,
Get ye hence fall to your needle: what a mayd and Idle.
Ma.
A mayd and Idle why maydes must be Idle but not an other thing.
Sa.
then do not name it for I feare tis naught.
For yesterday I hard Menippus as he was talking,
VVith my mothers maide and I stoode harkning at the chamber doore,
Sayde that, with that woord a mayd was got with childe.
Eli
How with the very woord.
Sa.
I meane with that the woord seemes to expresse.
Mar.
Nay if you be so fine you will not name it now,
Eli.
VVhy let her chuse, let vs two name it,
Mar.
Do then Elimine.
Eli
Nay doe you Martia.
Mar.
VVhy woman I dare.
Eli.
Do then I warrant thee.
Mar.
Ile warrant my selfe if I list, but come let it alone,
Let vs to Irus for our fortunes.
Eli.
God saue graue Irus.
Irus.
VVelcome beautious Nymphes.
Sa.
How know you Irus we are beautifull and cannot see.
Irus.
Homer was blinde yet could he best discerne,
The shapes of euery thing and so may I,
Eli.
Indeede wee heare your skill can beautifie,
Beautie it selfe, and teach dames how to decke,
Their heades and bodies fittest to their formes,
To their complexions and their countenances.
Ir.
So can I beateuous Nimphes, and make all eyes,
Sparkle with loue fire from your excellence.
Eli.
How thinke you we are tyred to tempte mens lookes,
Beeing thus Nimphlike is it not too strange,
Irus.
It is the better so it doth become.
But that I may disclose to you your fortunes
Tell me first Pego their true faces formes.
Pe.
Mary sir this that speakes to you has a face thinne like
vnto water grewell, but yet it would do your hart good if you could see it
Irus.
I know and see it better then thy selfe,
The blaze whereof doth turne me to a fyre.
Burning mine Intrailes with a strong desire.
Eli.
VVhy turnst thou from vs Irus tell my fortune.
Irus.
I wonder at the glorie it presentes,
To my soules health that sees vppon your heade,
A corronet, and at your gratious feete,
Nobles and princes in their highest state,
VVhich state shal crowne your fortune eare you die,
And eare the hart of Heauen, the glorious sunne,
Shall quench his rosiat fires within the west.
Sa.
Happie Elimine, oh that I myght too.
Eli.
Thankes for this newes good Jrus but disclose,
The meanes to this, if it be possible.
Irus.
VVhen you come home ascend your Fathers tower
If you see a man come walking by,
And looking vp to you, descend,
And Issue, for you shall haue leaue,
And if he woe, you chuse him from the world,
Though he seeme humorous and want an eye,
VVearing a veluet patch vpon the same,
Chuse him your husband, and be blest in him,
Eli.
Ile doe as thou aduisest gentle Irus,
And prouing this Ile loue thee whilst I liue.
Sa.
My fortune now sweete Irus.
Irus.
VVhat face hath this Nimph Pego.
Pego.
Mary sir a face made in forme like the ace of hartes.
Irus.
And well compard for she commaundes all hartes,
Equall in beautie with that other Nimph,
And equally she burnes my hart with loue,
Sa.
Say, say sweete Irus what my fortune is,
Thou turnst from me, as when thou didest admire.
The happie fortune of Elimine.
Jrus.
So might I well, admiring yours no lesse.
Then when the light cround monarch of the heauens
Shal quench his fire within the Oceans brest
Rise you and to your fathers garden hie,
There in an arbour doe a banquet ser,
And if there come a man that of him selfe,
Sits downe and bids you welcome to your feast,
Accept him for he is the rihcest man,
That Alexandria or Ægypt hath,
And soone possessing him with all his wealth,
In little tyme you shall be rid of him,
Making your seconde choyse mongst mightie kinges.
Sa.
Blest be thy lippes sweete Irus, and that light,
That guides thy bosome with such deepe fore sight,
All this succeeding night for hast to rise.
Ma.
My fortune now sweete Irus, but I fayth,
I haue some wrong to be the last of all,
For I am olde as they, and big enough,
To beare as great a fortune as the best of them,
Irus.
VVhat face hath this Nimph Pego.
Pego.
Oh maister what face hath she not, if I should beg a
face I would haue her face.
Irus.
But is it round, and hath it neare a blemmish,
A mouth to wide a looke too impudent.
Pego.
Oh mayster tis without all these, and without al crie.
Irus.
Round faces and thinne skinde are hapieest still.
And vnto you fayre Nimph.
Shall fortune be exceeding gratious too,
VVhen the next morning therefore you shal rise.
Put in your bosome rosemary tune and rue.
And presently stand at your fathers doore,
He that shall come offering kindenesse there,
And craue for fauour those same holsome hearbes,
bestowe them on him, and if meeting him,
He keepe the nuptiall Rosemary and time,
And tread the bitter rue beneath his feete,
Chuse him your husband and be blest in him.
Ma.
I wil sweete Jrus nothing greeues me now,
But that Elimine this nyght shall haue,
Her happie husband, and I stay till morning.
Eli.
Nought greeues me Irus but that we are maides.
Kept short of all thinges and haue nought to giue thee,
But take our loues and in the wished proofe,
Of these high fortunes thou foretellest vs.
Nothing we haue shall bee to deare for thee.
Sa.
we that are sisters Irus by our vow,
VVill be of one selfe blood and thankefull minde,
To adore so cleare a sight in one so blinde.
exeunt.
Irus.
farewell most beautious Nimphes your loues to mee.
Shall more then gold or any treasure bee,
Now to my wardroppe for my veluet gowne, now doth the sport beginne,
By which I make men feare my humor still,
And haue slayne two or three as twere my mood
VVhen I haue done it most aduisedly
To rid them as they were my heauie foes,
Now am I knowne to be the mad braine Count,
VVhose humours twise, fiue summers I haue held,
And sayde at first I came from stately Rome,
Calling my selfe Count Hermes and assuming
The humour of a wild and franticke man,
Carelesse of what I say or what I doe,
And so such faultes as I of purpose doe,
Is buried in my humor and this gowne I weare,
In rayne or snowe or in the hottest sommer,
And neuer goe nor ride without a gowne,
which humor doth not fit my frencie wel,
But hides my persons forme from beeing knowne,
VVhen I Cleanthes am to be discried,
Enter Pego like a Burgomaister.
Pego.
How now maister brother.
Ir.
Oh sir you are very well suted. Now M. Burgomaister.
I pray you remember to seaze on all Aleantisthenes his goods
His landes and cattels to my propper vse,
As I am Leon the rich vsurer.
The sunne is downe and all is forfeited.
Pego.
It shalbe doone my noble Count.
Ir.
And withal sir I pray you forget not your loue,
To morrow morning at her fathers doore.
Pego.
Ah my good Count I cannot that forget,
For still to keepe my memorie in order,
As I am Burgomaister, so loue is my recorder.
Exeunt,
Enter Elimine aboue on the walles.
Now see a morning in an euening rise.
The morning of my loue and of my ioy,
I will not say of beautie, that were pride,
VVith in this tower I would I had a torch,
To light like hero my leander heather,
VVho shall be my leander let me see,
When you see one clad in a veluet gowne
And a blacke patch vpon his eye,
A patch, patch that I am, why that may be a patch of cloth,
Of Buckrome, or a fustian cloth, say with a veluet patch,
Vpon his eye & so my thoughts may patch vp loue the better
See where he comes, the Count, what girle a countesse,
Enter Count.
See, see, he lookes as Irus said he should go not away my loue,
Ile meete thee straight.
Count.
Oh I thanke you I am much beholding to you,
I sawe her in the tower and now she is come downe,
Lucke to this patch and to this veluet gowne.
Enter Elimine and Bragadino A Spaniard following her.
Count.
How now shall I be troubled with this rude spaniard now,
Bra.
One worde sweet nimph.
Count.
How now sirra what are you,
Br.
I am signeor Braggadino the Martiall spaniardo the aide
of Ægypt in her present wars, but Iesu what art thou that hast
the guts of thy braines gript with such famine of knowledge
not to know me.
Count.
How now sir Ile trie the proofe of your guts with
my pistoll if you be so saucie sir.
Brag.
Oh I know him well it is the rude Count the vnciuill
Count, the vnstayed Count, the bloody Count, the Count of all
Countes, better I were to hazard the dissolution of my braue
soule agaynst an host of giantes then with this loose Count, otherwise
I could tickle the Count, I fayth my noble Count, I doe
descend to the crauing of pardon, loue blinded me I knewe
thee not.
Count.
Oh sir you are but bonaventure not right spanish I
perceaue but doe you heare sir are you in loue.
Brag.
Surely the sodayne glaunce of this lady Nymph hath
suppled my spanish disposition with loue that neuer before
drempt of a womans concauitie.
Count.
A womans concauitie, sblood whats that,
Brag.
Her hollow dispositon which you see sweete nature
fayth.
Co.
Giue me thy hand we ar louers both, shall we haue her both
Bra.
No good sweete Count pardon me.
Count
VVhy then thus it shalbe weele strike vp a drumme,
set vp tent, call people together, put crownes a peece lets rifle
for her.
Brag.
Nor that my honest Count.
Count.
VVhy then thus it shalbe, weele wooe her both and
him she likes best shall lead her home thorow streetes holding
her by both her handes, with his face towardes her, the other
shall follow with his backe towards her biting of his thumbes,
how sayest thou by this.
Brag.
It is ridiculous, but I am pleasd for vpon my life I do
know this the shame wi'l light on the neck of the Count.
Count.
VVell to it lets heare thee.
Brag.
Sweete Nimph a spaniard is compard to the
to the great elixar or golden medicine.
Count.
VVhat dost thou come vpon her with medicines
dost thou thinke she is sore.
Bra.
Nay by thy sweete fauour do not interrupt mee.
Count.
VVell sir goe forward.
Brag.
I say a spaniard is like the Philosophers stone.
Count.
And I say an other mans stone may bee as good as a
Philosophers at all tymes.
Brag.
By thy sweete fauour.
Count.
VVell sir goe on.
Brag.
Sweet nimph I loue few wordes you know my intent
my humor is in sophistical & plaine I am spaniard a borne, my
byrth speakes for my nature, my nature for your grace, and
should you see a whole Battaile ranged by my skil you would
commit your whole selfe to my affection, and so sweet nimph
I kisse your hand.
Co.
To see a whole battaile ha ha ha what aiest is that, thou
shalt se a whole battaile comeforth presently of me sa sa sa.
Bra.
Put vp thy pistol tis a most dangerous humor in thee.
Cou.
Oh is that all why see tis vp agayne, now thou shalt
wordes, but sweete deedes are the noble sowndes of a noble
spaniard, noble by countrie, noble by valour, noble by byrth,
my very foote is nobler then the head of another man, vppon
my life I loue, and vpon my loue I liue, and so sweete Nimph
I kisse your hand, why loe heere we are both, I am in this
hand, and hee is in that handy dandy prickly prandy, which
hand will you haue.
Eli.
This hand my Lord if I may haue my choyce
Cou.
Come spaniard to your pennance bite your thumbes.
Brag.
Oh base woman.
Co.
Sblood no base woman but bite your thumbes quickly.
Brag.
Honor commaundes I must do it.
Count.
Come on sweete lady giue me your handes if you
are mine, I am yours, if you take me now at the worst I am the
more beholding to you, if I bee not good enough, Ile mend
what would you more.
Eli.
It is enough my Lord and I am youres.
Since I wel know my fortune is to haue you
Now must I leaue the pleasant maiden chase,
In hunting sauage beasts with Isis nimphes,
And take me to a life which I God knowes,
Do know no more then how to scale the heauens.
Count.
VVell Ile teach you feare not you, what signior not bite your thumbes,
Bra.
Pardon me sir, pardon me.
Count.
By Gods blood I will not pardon you therefore
bite your thumbes.
Bra.
By thy sweete let me speake one worde with thee, I
do not like this humor in thee in pistoling men in this sort, it
is a most dangerous and stigmaticall humor, for by thy fauour
tis the most finest thing of the world for a man to haue a most
gentlemanlike carriage of himselfe, for otherwise I doe hold
thee for the most tall resolute and accomplisht gentleman on
the face of the earth, harke yee weele meete at Corrucus and
weele haue apipe of Tobacco adew adew.
Co.
Do you heare sir, put your thumbes in your mouth with
out any more adoe, by the heauens Ile shoote thee through
the mouth.
It is base and ridiculous.
Count.
VVell thou shalt not do it, lend me thy thumbes Ile bite them for thee
Brag.
Pardon mee.
Coun.
Swounes and you had I would haue made such a wofull
parting betwixt your fingers and your thumbe that your
spanish fistes should neuer meete againe, in this world wil you do it sir.
Bra.
I will, I will presto and I wil follow thee.
Cou.
VVhy so oh that we had a noyse of musitions to play
to this anticke as we goe, come on sweete lady giue me your
handes weele to Church and be married straight, beare with
my hast now, Ile be slow enough another tyme I warrant you,
come spaniola questo, questo, spaniola questo.
Exeunt.
Enter Aegiale, Herald, Euribates, Clearchus with a picture.
Ægi.
Aduance that picture on this fatall spring,
And Herald speake vttering the kinges edict.
He.
Ptolomie the most sacred king of Ægypt first of that
name, desiring peace and amitie with his neighbour princes
hath caused this picture of Cleanthes to be set vp in all places,
proposing great rewardes to him that findes him, and threatning
death to him that sucours him.
Ægi.
VVhich Gods forbid, and put it in his minde.
Not so to stomacke his vniust exile.
That he conuert the furie of his arme,
Agaynst so saken Ægypt taking part,
VVith those foure neighbour kinges that threaten him,
And haue beseiged his most Imperiall towne.
Clear.
Now may it please your hignesse to leaue your discontented
passions, and take this mornings pride to hunt the Bore.
Ianthe.
We haue attended on our grace thus farre,
Out of the Cittie beeing glad to heare,
Your highnesse had abandoned discontent.
And now will bend your selfe to meriment,
Aegi.
So will I louely Ianthe come then.
Let vs goe call foorth sacred Isis Nimphes,
To helpe vs keepe the game in cealesse vew,
That to the busie brightnesse of his eyes.
VVe may so interuent his shiftes to scape.
Slayne with our beauties more then swordes or dartes.
Exit with a sownd of Horns.
Enter Leon with his sworde.
Leon.
Now am I Leon The rich vsurer and here according
To the kinges commaund and mine owne promise.
I haue brought my swoord and fix it by the statue,
She set vp, by this am I knowne to be Cleanthes,
VVhose sodayne sight I now will take vpon mee,
And cause the nobles to pursue my shadowe,
As for my substance they shall neuer finde,
Till I my selfe, do bring my selfe to light.
Cleanthes, Cleanthes, stop Cleanthes, see Cleanthes,
Pursue Cleanthes, follow Cleanthes.
Enter three Lordes with swordes drawne.
1 Lo.
where is Cleanthes, Leon sawest thou him.
Le.
I why should I els haue thus cried out on him,
I saw him euen now heere did he fix his sworde
And not for dastard feare or cowardize,
For know all Ægypt ringes of his renowne.
But fearing for his noble seruice done,
To be rewarded with ingratitude, he fled
From hence fearing to be pursued,
2 Lord.
Come on my Lordes then lets follow him
And pursue him to the death.
Exeunt.
Leon.
Oh do not hurt him gentle Citizens,
See how they flye from him whom they pursue.
I am Cleanthes, and whilest I am heare,
In vayne they follow for to finde him out,
But here comes my loue Bright Psamathis,
VVhom I loue Equally with fayre Elimine,
See here she comes as I apoynted her.
Enter Samathis and her maydes with a banquet.
Iaquine.
But I fayth mistris is this for a woer.
Sa.
Not for a woer onely my Jaquine,
That all my fortune runnes vpon I tell thee,
Ia.
O daintie mistris send for some more banquet.
Sa.
No my fine wench this and my selfe is well.
And let him not sit downe like the oxe and the asse,
But giue God thanks for we are worthie of it though we saite.
Ia.
Mistris tis true.
And that he may be good,
I coniure him by these three things a crosse,
Now let him come he shalbe good I warrant ye,
Leon.
Nay do not flye me gentle Samathis.
Sa.
Pardon me sir for if I see a man,
I shall so blush still that I warrant you,
I could make white wine claret with my lookes,
Le.
But do not blush and flie an old mans sight.
Sa.
From whom if not from old men should I flie
Le.
From young men rather that can swift pursue,
And then it is some credit to out goe them,
Yet though my yeeres would haue me old I am not,
But haue the gentle Ierke of youth in mee,
As fresh as he that hath a maidens chinne.
Thus can I bend the stiffnes of my limbes,
Thus can I turne and leape and hoyse my gate,
Thus can I lift my loue as light as ayre,
Now say my Samathis am I old or young.
Sa.
I would haue my loue neyther old nor young
But in the middle Iust betweene them both.
Le.
Fit am I then for matchlesse Samathis.
And will be bould to sit. For batchlers
Must not be shamefast when they meet with maids,
Sweete loue now let me intreate you sit,
And welcome you to your owne banquet heere,
Sa.
Euen thus did Irus say that he should say,
Then by your leaue sir I will sit with you,
Le.
VVelcome as gold into my tresurie,
And now will I drinke vnto my loue.
VVith the same mind that drinking first began to one another.
And what was that I pray sir.
Le.
Ile tell my loue the first kind cause of it.
And why tis vsd as kindnesse still amongst vs,
If it be vsd a right tis to this end,
VVhen I doe say I drinke this loue to you,
I meane I drinke this to your proper good,
As if I sayde what health this wine doth worke in mee,
Shalbe imploied for you at your commande & to your proper vse
And this was first thentent of drinking to you.
Sa.
Tis very prettie is it not Jaquine.
Iaquine.
Oh excellent Mistris hees a daintie man.
Leon.
Now to your vse sweete loue I drinke this wine,
And with a merrie hart that makes long life,
Ouer the cup Ile sing for my loues sake.
Song.
To thee my loue deuine.
I drinke to my dareling,
Giue mee thy hand sweeting.
VVith cuppe full euer plyed,
And hartes full neuer dryed.
Mine owne, mine owne dearest sweeting,
Oh oh myne owne dearest sweeting.
Sa.
I loue it sir aswell as you loue me.
Leon.
That is aswell as I do loue my selfe,
I will not Ioy my treasure but in thee,
And in thy lookes Ile count it euery hower,
And thy white armes shalbe as bandes to me,
Wherein are mightie Lordshippes forfeited,
And all the dames of Alexandria,
For their attire shall take there light from thee,
Sa.
VVel sir I drinke to you & pray you thinke
You are as welcome to me as this wine,
Le.
Thankes gentle Samathis, but delitious loue,
Hath beene the figge I eate before this wine,
VVill you bestowe that banquet loue on me,
Sa.
Nay gentle Leon talke no more of loue
If you loue God or a good countenance,
For I shal quite be out of countenance then,
Le.
Loue deckes the countenance, speriteth the eye,
And tunes the soule in sweetest harmony,
Loue then sweete Samathis.
Sama.
VVhat shall I doe Iaquine.
Iaquine.
Fayth Mistris take him.
Sa.
Oh but he hath a great nose.
Ia.
Tis no matter for his nose, for he is rich.
Sa.
Leon I loue and since tis foorth farewell.
Le.
Then triumph Leon richer in thy loue.
Then all the heapes of treasure I possesse,
Neuer was happie Leon rich before,
Nor euer was I couetous till now,
That I see gold so fined in thy haire.
Sa.
Impart it to my Parentes gentle Leon,
And till we meete agayne at home farewell.
Exeunt.
Le.
Soone will I talke with them and follow thee,
So now is my desire accomplished.
Now was there euer man so fortunate.
To haue his loue so sorted to his wish,
The ioyes of many I'm one enioy.
Now do I meane to woe them crossely both,
The one as I am Leon the rich vsurer.
The other as I am the mad brayne Count.
VVhich if it take effect, and rightly proue,
Twill be a sporte for any emperours loue.
Exit.
Enter Ptolomie, Aegiale, Doricles, Aspatia, Ianthe, Euphrosine, Clearchus, Euribates, with sonnd,
Pto.
Prince of Arcadia louely Doricles,
Be not discouraged that my daughter heere,
Like a well fortified and loftie tower,
Is so repulsiue and vnapt to yeelde,
In her acheeuement will be more renound,
And with the greater merite is imployde.
The bewtious queene my wife her mother here
VVas so well mand and yet had neuer man,
So mayne a rocke of chast and cold disdayne.
Aegi.
My Lord what meane ye, go Aspasia,
Send for some Ladeis to goe play with you,
At chesse, at Billiardes, and at other game,
Ianthe attend her.
You take a course my Lord to make her coy,
To vrge so much the loue of Doricles,
And frame a vertue of her wanton hate,
VVe must perswade her that he loues her not,
But that his seruices and vowes of loue,
Are but the gentle complimentes of court,
So would shee thinke that if she would haue loud,
Shee might haue wonne him.
And with that conceite of hardnesse to be wonne,
His merites grace will shine more cleanely,
In her turning eyes,
Thinges hard to win with case makes loue incited,
And fauours wonne with ease are hardly quited,
Then make as If you loud her not my Lord.
Do.
Loue that hath built his temple on my browes
Out of his Battlementes into my hart,
And seeing me to burne in my desire,
VVill be I hope appeased at the last.
Aegi.
Be ruld by me yet, and I warrant you,
She quickly shall beleeue you loue her not,
Do.
VVhat shall I doe Madam.
Aegi.
Looke not on her so much.
Do.
I cannot chuse my neck standes neuer right,
Till it be turnd asside and I behold her.
Aegi.
Now trust me such a wrie neckt loue was neuer sene,
But come with me my Lord and Ile instruct you better
Pto.
So maddam I leaue you now from our loue sportes,
Enter Antistenes Leon and Burgomaister.
See the Burgomaister Antistenes and Leon.
Comes togeather stay maister Burgomaister.
VVhat reason made you vse your office on the
Lord Antistenes seazing on al his moueables,
And goodes at the sute of Leon.
Pe.
I will tell your grace the reason of it or any
Thinge els for I know you are a wise prince,
And apt to learne.
Pto.
I thanke you for yout good opinion sir,
But the reason of your office done vpon this noble man
And his landes.
Pe.
The reason why I haue put in office or execution,
My authoritie vpon this nobleman consisteth,
in three principall poyntes or members,
VVhich indeede are three goodly matters.
Ptolo.
I pray you lets heare them.
Pe.
The first is the credit of this honest man because he is rich.
Pto.
VVhy is he honest because he is rich.
Pe.
Oh I learne that in any case, the next is the forfaite of his
assurance and the last I will not trouble your grace with all.
An.
But this it is whereof I most complaine vnto your grace,
That hauing occasion in your graces seruice,
To borow mony of this Leon heere,
For which I morgagd al my landes and goods
He onely did agree that paying him foure
thousand pound at the day I should receiue my statute
safely, in which now not onely falsely he denies.
But that he hath receiued one penny due,
VVhich this my friend can wittnes I repayde,
Vpon the stone of Irus the blinde man,
Foure thousand pound in Iewels and in golde,
And therefore craue I iustice in this case,
Le.
Voutchsafe dread soueraigne an vnpartiall care.
To that I haue to say for my replye,
He pleades the payment of foure thousand pounde,
To which I answere and do sweare by heauen,
He spake with me at the foresayde place,
And promist payment of foure thousand pound,
If I would let him haue his statutes in,
And take other assurance for another thousand,
Some three monthes to come or thereaboutes.
VVhich I refusing he repayde me none,
But parted in a rage and card not for me.
Gen.
Oh monstrous who euer hard the like,
My Lord I will besworne he payde him,
On poore Irus stone foure thousand pound,
VVhich I did helpe to tender and hast thou
A hellish conscience and such a brasen forhead,
To denye it agaynst my wittnesse,
And his noble woorde.
Le.
Sir agaynst your witnesse and his noble worde,
I plead myne owne and one as good as his,
That then was present at our whole conference.
An.
My Lord there was not any but our selues,
But who was it that thou affirmst was there,
Le.
Count Hermes good my Lord a man
VVell knowne though he be humorous to be honorable,
Pto.
And will he saie it.
Le.
He will my gratious Lord I am well assurd,
And him will I send hether presently,
Intreating your gratious fauour if the impediment,
Of a late sickenesse cause me not returne,
For I am passing ill.
Pto.
Well send him hether and it shall suffice.
Le.
I will my gratious Lord and stand
To any censure passing willingly,
Your highnesse shall set downe or commaund,
VVorshipfull maister Burgomaister your officer,
To see performd betwixt vs.
Exit.
Pe.
VVe Thanke you hartely, alas poore soule,
How sicke he is.
In that he loues your gratious officers.
Enter Coont.
Pto.
Oh I thanke you sir.
Count.
King by your leaue, and yet I neede not aske leaue,
Because I am sent for if not Ile begone agayne.
without leaue, say am I sent for yea or no,
Pto.
You are to witnesse twixt Antistenes and welthy Leon.
Count.
I know the matter and I come from that old miser
Leon, who is sodainely fallen sicke of a knaues euill,
Which of you are troubled with that disease maisters.
Pto.
VVel say what you know of the matter, betwixt them.
Count.
Then thus I say my Lord, Antistenes came,
To the stone of the blinde foole Irus,
That day when foure thousand pounds were to be payde,
VVhere he made proffer of so much mony if Leon would returne
the morgage of his lands, and take assurance for another
thousand to be paide I trow some three monthes to come or
there about, which Leon like an olde churle as hee was most
vncourteously refused: my Lord Antistenes as he might very
well departed in a rage but if it had beene to me I would haue
pistoled him I fayth.
Au.
But you are wonderously deceiued my Lord.
And was not by when he and we did talke.
Count.
Swounes then I say you are deceiued my Lord,
For I was by now by my honor and by all the gods.
Eu.
Then you stoode close my Lord vnseene to any,
Count.
VVhy I stood close to you and seene of all, and if
You thinke I am too mad a fellow to witnes such a waightie
peece of worke the holy begger shall performe as much,
For he was by at our whole conference.
Pto.
But say Count Hermes was the begger by.
Count.
I say he was and he shall say he was.
Euri.
But he is now they say lockt in his caue,
Fasting and praying talking with the Gods,
And hath an Iron doore twixt him and you,
How will you then come at him,
Ile fetch him from his caue in spight of all his Gods
and Iron dores, or beate him blinde when as I doe catch him
next, farwell my Lordes you haue done with mee, Ile send the
begger presently for I am now ryding to Corrucus.
Exit.
Pto.
I know not what to thinke in these affaires
I cannot well condemne you my Lord,
And your sufficient witnesse beeing a gentleman,
Nor yet the other two, both men or credit,
Though in his kinde this Count be humorous,
But stay we shall here straight what Irus wil depose,
Enter Irus.
Irus
Oh who disturbes me in my holy prayers,
Oh that the king were by that he might heere,
VVhat thundring there is at my farther doore,
Oh how the good of Ægipt is disturbd in my deuotion.
Pto.
I am here Irus and it was Count Hermes.
That was so rude to Interrupt thy prayers,
But I suppose the end of thy repayre,
Beeing so waightie could not haue displeasd,
For on thy witnesse doth depend the liuing
Of Lord Antistenes, who doth affirme,
That three dayes past he rendered at thy stone,
Foure thousand poundes to Leon and desired
His morgage quited which he promising
On such assurance, more as he proposed,
Receiued at that tyme his foure thousand pounds.
Irus.
I then was in the hearing of them both.
But hard noe penny tendred, onely proposed
By Lord Antistenes, if he would bring him in,
His morgage and take assurance for another thousand
Some three monthes to come or there aboutes,
VVhich Leon most vncourteously refused,
My Lord was angrye and I hard no more,
And thus must I craue pardon of your grace.
Exit
Pto.
Farewell graue Irus.
An.
Gods are become oppressors of the right.
Euge.
Neuer had right so violent a wrong.
If what I haue reported be not true,
Pto.
This holy man no doubt speakes what he hard
And I am sory for Antistenes.
But Ile releeue your lowe estate my Lord,
And for your seruice done megwerdon you,
Maister Burgomaister let the Lord haue libertie,
And I will answere Leon what is due.
Exeunt.
Enter Elimime, Martia, Samathis.
Eli.
Soft Mistris Burgomaister, pray you stay, your hart is
greater then your parson farre or your state eyther, doe we not
know ye trow, what woman you are but a Burgomaisters wife,
Giue me the place acording to my calling.
Mar.
VVhat skill for places, do we not all call sisters,
Eli.
Noe by my fayth I am a countesse now,
I should haue one to goe before me bare,
And say stand by there to the best of them,
And one to come behinde and beare my trayne,
Because my handes must not be put vnto it.
My husband is a Lord and past a Lord,
Sa.
And past a Lord what is that past I pray,
Eli.
VVhy hees a what you calt.
Mar.
A what you call it can you not name it.
Eli.
I thinke I must not name it.
Sa.
And why so I pray.
Eli.
because it comes so neare a thing that I knowe,
Mar.
Oh he is a Count that is an Earle.
Sa.
And yet he is not knowne to haue much land.
Eli.
VVhy therefore he is an vnknowne man.
Mar.
I but my husband is the kings officer.
Sa.
I but my husband is able to buy both yours,
Eli.
You say husband, I may saie my Lord.
Mar.
And me thinkes husband is worth ten of Lord.
Eli.
Indeede I loue my Lord to call mee wife,
Better then Maddam yet doe I not meane,
To lose my Ladies, titles at your handes,
A gentle Ladie call you sisters still,
But you must say and please your Ladishippe,
Tis thus and so, and as your honor please,
Yet shall my husband call me wife like youres,
For why made god the husband and the wife,
But that those tearmes should please vs more then others
New fashion tearmes I like not for a man,
To call his wife cony, forsooth, and Lambe,
And Porke, and Mutton, he as well may say,
Mar.
VVell Madam then and please your Ladishippe.
VVhat gownes and head tyres will your honor weare.
Eli.
Twentie are making for me head tyres and gownes,
Head tyres enchast in order like the starres,
VVhich perfit great and fine cut pretious stones,
One hath bright Ariadnes Crowne in it,
Euen in the figure it presentes in heauen,
Another hath the fingers of Diana,
And Berenices euer burning haire,
An other hath the bright Andromica,
VVith both her siluer wristes bound to a rocke,
And Perseus that did lose her and saue her life,
All set in number and in perfect forme,
Euen like the Asterismes fixt in heauen,
And euen as you may see in Moone shine nightes,
The Moone and Starres reflecting on their streames
So from my head shall you see starres take beames,
Mar.
Oh braue God willing I will haue the like.
Sa.
And so will I by Gods grace if I liue.
Eli.
Come vp to supper it will become the house wonderfull well
Mar,
Well if my husband will not, let him not loke for one good looke of me.
Sa.
Nor mine I sweare.
Mar.
Ile aske my husband when I am with child,
And then I know I shall be sped I fayth.
Eli.
But euery pleasure hath a payne they say
My husband lies each other nyght abrode,
Sa.
and so doth mine which I like but little,
VVell time I hope and change of companie,
VVill teach vs somewhat to beare out the absence,
Exit.
Eli.
I know not what to say,
My husband makes as if each other nyght he had occasion,
To ride from home at home serues not his turne,
To my good turne it, cupid I beseech you,
Enter Leon and Druso following him.
Le.
Now will I trie to make my selfe the Count.
An arrant Cuckold and a wittoll too.
Dru.
Now may I chance to proue a cunning man,
And tell my mistris where my maister hauntes,
Le.
Bright Nimph I come in name of all the worlde,
That now sustaines dead winter in the spring,
To haue a graces from thy summer darted,
Thy loue sweetesoule is all that I desire,
To make a generall sommer in this hair,
VVhere winters duble wrath hath turrannisde.
Eli.
How dare you Leon thus solicit mee,
VVhere if the Count my husband should come now,
And see you courting you were sure to die.
Le.
Oh but he is safe, for at my house,
Booted and spurd and in his veluet gowne,
He tooke his horse and rode vnto Corrucus,
And therefore beautious Ladie make not strange,
To take a freind and adde vnto thy Ioyes,
Of happie wedlocke: the end of euery acte,
Is to increase contentment and renowne,
Both which my loue: shall amplye ioy in you,
Eli.
How can renowne ensue an act of shame,
Le.
No acte hath any shame within it selfe,
But in the knowledge and ascription.
Of the base world from whom shall this be kept,
As in a laborinth or a brasen tower.
El.
But vertues sole regard must hold me backe.
Le.
The vertue of each thing is in the prayse,
And I will reare thy prayses to the skyes,
Till thou finde some matching thy harye in brightnesse,
But that will neuer, be so chuse thou euer.
Out of my Iewelrye chuse thy choyse of Diamondes,
Till thou finde some as bright some as thyne eyes,
But that will neuer be, so chuse thou euer,
Chuse Rubies out vntill thou match thy lippes,
Pearle till thy teeth, and Iuorie till thy skinne,
Be matcht in whitnesse but that wil neuer bee.
Nor neuer shall my tresurie haue end,
Till on there beauties Ladies loth to spend,
But that will neuer be so chuse thou euer.
Eli.
Now what a gods name would this vayne man haue,
Do you not shame to tempt a woman thus,
I know not what to saye nor what to doe,
He would haue me doe that I feare I should not,
Some thing it is he seekes that he thinkes good,
And me thinkes he should be more wise then I,
I am a foolish girle though I be married
And know not what to doe, the Gods doe know.
Leon.
Are you content sweete loue to graunt me loue,
Eli.
and what then sir.
Le.
To grant me lodging in your house this night,
Eli.
I thinke the man be wearie of his life,
Know you the Count my husband.
Le.
Marueilous well and am assurd of him,
Eli.
Faith that you are as sure as I my selfe,
So you did talke of gold and Diamonds,
Leon.
I and gold and Diamondes shal my sweet loue haue,
Eli.
VVell Ile not bid you sir but if you come,
At your owne perill for Ile wash my handes.
Offer to goe out.
Leon.
A plague of all sanguine simpliciti
Eli.
But do you heare sir pray you do not thinke that I granted you. in any case
Le.
No I warrant you, Ile haue no such thought.
Oh this is olde excellent.
Now who can desire better sporte.
This nyght my other wife must lie alone,
Now will I woe the other as the Count.
VVhich if she graunt and they do breake their troth,
Ile make my selfe a cuckolde twixt them both.
Exit.
Druso.
Ile follow him vntill he take the earth, and then ile
leaue him.
Exit.
Enter Samathis alone.
Sa.
Now if my husband be not all alone,
He is from home and hath left me alone,
So I must learne to lie, as children goe,
All alone, all alone, which lesson now.
I am able to beare a childe is worsse to me then when I was a child
The morall this strength without a health a disaduantage is.
Enter Druso.
Mistris what will you say if I can tel you where my maister is.
Sa.
VVhere Druso I pray thee.
Dru.
Euen close with the young countesse I fayth.
Sa.
Out on her strumpet doth she bragge so much,
Of her great Count, and glad to take my husband
Hence comes her head tyres and her fayre gownes,
Her trayne borne vp and a man bare before her,
VVas this my fortune that should be so good,
I fayth you begger you, you old false knaue,
You holy villaine you propheticke asse,
Know you noe better what shall come to passe,
Ile be reuenged I fayth, I fayth Ile be reuenged.
Exit.
Enter Aegiale with the garde
Aegi.
Oh Irus shall thy long approued skill,
Fayle in my fortunes onely, when shall I meete,
VVith my Cleanthes what a worlde of tyme,
Is it for me to lie as in a sounde,
VVithout my life Cleanthes, can it be,
That I shall euer entertayne agayne,
Hauing the habit of colde death in me,
My life Cleanthes.
Let me come in you knaues, I say let me come in.
1. Gard.
Sir, we are set to gard this place as our liues and
None without a warrant from the King or the Queene must
enter heere.
Cou.
Swoundes tell not me of your warrantes, let me come in I say,
1. Ga.
My Lord we are commaunded to keepe out all comers,
because of the branch wherein the kings life remaynes,
Co.
Let me come in you knaues, how dare you keepe me out,
twas my gowne to a mantle of rugge, I had not put you all to
the pistoll.
Aegi.
Shall we be troubled now with this rude Count
Cou.
How now Queene what art thou doing, passioning
ouer the picture of Cleanthes I am sure for I know thou louest him,
Aegi.
VVhats that you traytor.
Count.
No traytor neyther but a true freind to you, for had
Ibene otherwise I should haue disclosed the secret talke thou
hadst with Cleanthes in the arbour, the night before he was banished,
whilest I stoode close and hard all.
Ae.
The man is mad chaines and a whippe for him.
Cou.
Be patient my wench and Ile tell thee the very words,
oh my Cleanthes, loue me, pittie me, hate me not for loue, and
it is not lust hath made me thus importunate, for then there are
men enough besides Cleanthes, go to tel me were not these your
woords, &c Ilike no traytor to you but a trustie freend now by
this pistol which is Gods angell I neuer vttered them till now
Aegi.
I spake them not but had you beene so bad,
As some men are you might haue saide as much,
By fictious onely therefore I must needes,
Thinke much the better of you to conceale it,
Count.
Oh your a cunning wench and am not I a mad slaue
to haue such vertue as secresie in me and none neuer lookt for
any such thing at my handes, and heres a branch forsooth of
your little sonne turnd to a Mandracke tree, by Hella the sorceresse.
Aegiale.
Tis true and kils me to remember it.
Tut tut remember it and be wise thou wouldst haue
Cleanthes, come agayne wouldst thou not,
Ae.
The king is so aduisd to giue him death.
Count.
The King, come come tis you rule the King now
would any wise woman in the worlde be so hunger starued for
a man and not vse the meanes to haue him, thinkst thou Cleanthes
will come agayne to haue his head chopt of so soone as he
comes, but had you pluckt vp this branch wherein the King
thy husbandes life consistes and burnt it in the fyre, his olde
beard would haue stuncke fort in the graue ere this, and then
thou shouldst haue seene whether Cleanthes would haue come
vnto thee or noe.
Aegi.
Oh excreable counsaile.
Count.
Go to tis good counsaile, take the grace of God before
your eyes, and follow it to it wench corragio, I know I
haue gotten thee with childe of a desire, and thou longst but
for a knife to let it out, hold there tis serue God and be thankfull,
now you knaues will you let mee come out trow.
1. Gard.
Please your Lordshippe to bestow something on
vs for we are poore knaues.
Count.
Harke you be euen knaues still, and if you be poore
long your foolish knaues, and so Ile leaue you.
2. Gard.
Nay swounes my Lord no knaues neyther.
Cou.
Then he was a knaue that told me so, what doost thou
tell mee that.
Exit.
Ae.
This serpentes counsell stinges mee to the hart.
Mountes to my braine and bindes my prince of sence.
My voluntarie motion and my life,
Sitting it selfe triumphing in there thrones,
And that doth force my hand to take this knife,
That bowes my knees and sets me by thy branch,
Oh my diones oh my onely sonne,
Canst thou now feele the rigour of a knife,
Noe thou art senslesse and Ile cut thee vp,
Ile shroude thee in my bosome safe from stormes,
And trust no more my trustlesse gard with thee,
Come then returne vnto thy mothers armes, and when I
a burning tounge, in voking furies and infernall death, to
coole thy tormentes with thy fathers breth.
Enter Elimine and Samathis.
Sa.
Now madam countesse do you make account.
To take vp husbandes by your countishippe.
Haue you the broade seale for it, are you so hye, and stoope,
To one so lowe as is my husband,
Hence come your headtyres and your costly gownes,
Your trayne borne vp and a man bare before you,
Now sye on pride when woman goe thous naked.
I euer thought that pride would haue a fall
But little thought it would haue such a fall.
Eli.
VVhat fall I pray you.
Sa.
There you lay last, forsooth there you lay last.
Eli.
Be not so angry woman you are deceiued
Sa.
I know I am deceiued for thou deceiuedst me,
Thou mightest aswell haue pict my pursse I tell thee,
Oh would my mother say, when you haue a husband,
Keepe to him onely but now one may see,
How horible a thing it is to change,
Because it angers one so horibly,
You must haue Vshers to make way before you,
Eli.
The dame is madde, Ile stay no longer with her.
Exit Elimine.
Sa.
VVell madam shorte heeles Ile be euen with you,
See where the mad brayne Count her husband comes,
Enter Count.
Sama.
I will begone.
Count.
Heare you Vsurers wife stay, a plague on you stay,
whither go you so fast, why did I euer hurt any of your sex yet.
Sa.
VVhy no my Lord.
Count.
VVhy no my Lorde, why the deuill do you turne
tayle when you should not, when you should you will not be
halfe so hastie, a man must loue you, woe you, spend vpon you
and the deuill of one of you is worthy to kisse the hemme of
Sa.
Is this your riding gowne my Lord.
Count.
Tis no matter what it is, talke not to me, what the
deuill did I meane to call thee backe agayne,
Sa.
VVhy, my Lord I meane not to trouble you,
Count.
Goe to stay I say, tis agaynst my will that I vse you
so kindly I can tell you.
Sa.
Why you may chuse my Lord.
Count.
I but I cannot chuse, there you lie now, tis loue forsooth
that Intailes me to you, for if it had not beene for loue,
I had not beene heere now, for the Gods do know I hold thee
dearer then the Poungranet of mine eye, and thats better by
three pence then the aple of mine eye.
Sa.
My Lord I am sory for your heauinesse.
Count.
Nay tis no matter I am not the first asse that hath
borne Cupides tresurie.
Sa.
My Lord tis enough to make an asse wise to beare tresure.
Count.
VVhy then be you that wise asse, and beare me for
I haue some treasure about me will you loue me.
Sa.
Loue you my Lord it is strange you wil aske it.
Count.
I am not the first hath desired you,
Sa.
Nor you shall not be the last I will refuse.
Count.
Nor are you the fayrest I haue seene,
Sa.
Nor the foulest you haue loud.
Count.
Nor the fittest to be beloued.
Sa.
Nor the vnfittest to hate.
Count.
Doe and you dare but sirra and thou wilt not loue,
I pray thee be proud
Sa.
VVhy so my Lord.
Count.
Because I would haue thee fall, for pride must haue a fall.
Sa.
Do you delight in my fall so much.
Count.
As much as in mine owne rysing I fayth, but do not
you thinke it strange that I doe loue you, for before I did loue
you, Cupid pinckt me a spanish lether Ierkin with shooting at
me, and made it so full of holes that I was fayne to leaue it of,
and this losse haue I had for your sake.
My Lord Ile bestowe an old Ierkin on you,
Count.
Nay that shall not serue your turne, for I haue had a
greater losse then that, I lost my left eye for your sake.
Sa.
I do not thinke so.
Count.
I but Ile tell you how as I was hunting in the parke,
I saw Cupid shooting a cockhye into your face, and gazing after
his arrow it fell into mine eye.
Sa.
A prettie fiction.
Count.
I but I finde this no fiction, and you shall make me
amends with loue or by this patch of mine eye, and the patch
thou wotest where I will sweare to all the Cittie I haue layne
with thee.
Sa.
I hope your Lordshippe will not doe me that wrong.
Count.
Then do you me right and let me lie with you, I
haue made the botle nosd knaue your husband so drunke that
he is not able to stand goe get you home Ile follow you.
Sa.
VVhy my Lord what will you do there.
Count.
Goe to make no more questions but say I shall bee
welcome or by mine honor Ile doe as I say, otherwise be as secret
as death.
Sa.
Twentie to one he will, well my Lord if you come you
come.
Count.
Oh I thanke you hartely, oh exellent or neuer
trust mee.
Enter Menippus and Elimine.
Me.
Madam your honor is come somewhat to soone.
Eli.
VVhy so Menippus.
Me.
Had you stayed neuer so little longer you should
haue met my Lord comming out of Leons honse and out of his moueables,
Eli.
How out of his moueables.
Me.
Euen in playne troth, I see him woe her, winne her, and
went in with her.
Eli.
Now of mine honor I will be reuenged fetch me the
Burgomaister Menippus Ile haue them both whipt about the towne.
Me.
Nay madam you must not dshonor him so,
Eli.
VVhat shall mine honor doe then.
Do but tongue whip him madam and care not,
And so I leaue him to the mercie of your tongue,
Eli.
My tongue shall haue hell and no mercie in it
Enter the Count.
Excellent musicke exellent musicke.
Eli.
And the Deuill take the Instrument,
Count.
VVhat art thou so nye.
Eli.
I and it were a good deede to be a little nier too, you
make a Count asse of me indeede, as if I were too little for you,
but bignesse is my fault vnlesse I were a little better vsd at
your handes.
Cou.
VVhy thou wilt be to perfit if I should vse thee much
for vse makes perfitnesse.
Eli.
I but I cannot be too perfit and therfore Ile spoyle her
perfections that helpes to spoyle mine I warrant her.
Cou.
VVhy may not I lie with her aswell as thou layest
with her husband.
Eli.
I defie you and all the world that can say blacke is mine
eye.
Count.
I thinke so indeede, for thine eye is gray, but thou
didst lye with him by that same token he gaue thee a carknet,
and thou toldst me that thy mother sent it thee, thou didst
promise to banquet him when I was next abroade, thou didst
say he could not be so old as he made himselfe to be, thou
didst say twas pittie of his nose, for he would haue bene
a fine man els, and that God did well to make him a rich man,
for a was a good man too, and these tokens I thinke are sufficient,
for these a told me with his owne mouth.
Eli.
He lyed like an old knaue as he was and that he shall
knowe the next time these lippes open in fayth, oh wicked
periurd man would a disclose my secretes I fayth what woman
would trust any man a liue with her honestie.
Exit.
Count.
Ha ha ha, I haue sent her in a pelting chafe,
But Ile follow her and make her madde with anger.
Porus.
Thus haue we trode the sandy vales of Ægypt,
Adioyning to the plaines of Alexandria,
VVhere proud king Ptolemy keepes his residence,
Securely trusting to his prophesies,
VVhich hath foretold him many yeares agoe,
That if the young Archadian Doricles,
Should linke in marriage with his louely daughter.
He then should conquere all our bordering landes,
And make vs subiect to his tirrannie.
Rhe.
Trusting to his fond fantasticke dreames,
He hath exild the warlicke Duke Cleanthes.
VVhose name was terror to our valiant troopes.
Bion.
Cleanthes exild giues vs easy way,
To our attemptes where had he stayed,
And beene afreind to him, yet should he not
Escape subiection.
Be.
VVe will deuide his kingdome twixt vs foure,
And reaue from him his foure cheife ornamentes,
And for to greeue his aged mind the more,
He shall be kept in lasting seruitude.
So to fulfill what fates to him assignde,
Po.
Come let vs march and braue him at the walles,
If Porus hue to weild his martiall sworde,
His Citty walles shall not preserue him safe,
But he shall dye by Porus and his freindes.
Exeunt.
Enter Doricles and Aspasia.
Do.
Sweet madam grant me once a chearful looke
To glad my dying hart with sorow kild,
Your father hath resignd his free consent.
You bound by dutie to obey his will,
As.
Nay rather let him hayle me to my death
Then gaynst my will constraine me match my selfe.
Count
Dye thou vile wretch and liue Aspatia,
Euen now I hard thy father Ptolomy
VVith wordes that still do tingle in mine eares.
Pronounce him heyre to Alexandria,
Tis time for me to stirre when such young boyes,
Shal haue their weake neckes ouer poisd with crownes
VVhich must become resolued champions,
That for a crownes exchange will sel their soules,
He kils him.
Aspa.
Wicked Count Hermes for this monsterous deede,
Ægypt will hate thee. and thou sure must dye,
Then hye thee to the hils beyond the Aipes,
Flye to vnknowne and vnfrequented climes,
Some des ert place that neuer sawe the sunne,
For if the king or any of his friendes,
Shall finde Count Hermes thou art surely dead.
Count.
Ile flye no more then doth a setled rocke,
No more then mountaines or the steadfast powles,
But come sweete loue if thou wilt come with me,
We two will liue amongst the shadowy groues,
And we will sit like shepherdes on a hill,
And with our heauenly voyces tice the trees,
To eccho sweetely to our cœlestiall tunes,
Fls will I angle in the running brookes,
Seasoning our toyles with kisse, on the bankes,
Sometime Ile diue into the murmerrng springes,
And fetch thee stones to hang about thy necke,
VVhich by thy splendor will be turnd to pearle,
Say fayre Aspasia wilt thou walke with me.
As.
No bloody Count but I will cleare my selfe, girle
And tell thy murders to the amased court.
Count.
Nay if thou wilt not chuse you peeuish
Thou canst not say but thou wert offered fayre,
But here must end Count Hermes strange disguise,
My veluet gowne my pistoll and this patch,
No more must hide me in the countes attire,
And thus appeare vnto the worlde no more,
Farewell Aspasia.
Exit Count.
As.
Goe wretched villayne hide thy hated head,
VVhere neuer heauens light may shine on thee,
VVhose there, Come forth for here is murder done,
Murder Murder of good prince Doricles.
Enter Euribates.
VVho cals out murther Lady was it you.
As.
As I was walking in the pleasant weedes,
VVith Doricles the young Archadian prince,
rusht in Count Hermes and in desperate wordes,
Hath slayne this prince.
Eu.
A balefull deede pursue the murderer,
And tell the King of this foule accident
Enter Ptolomy.
Pto.
Oh tell no more in stead of teares,
My beating hart dissolues in droppes of blood,
And from mine eyes that stares vpon this corse.
Leapes out my soule and on it I will die,
Oh Doricles oh deare Arcadian prince,
The bulwarke and supporter of my life,
That by decree of fates was promised,
To adde foure neighbour kingdomes to my crowne,
And shield me from a most abhorred death,
Now shall my kingdome leaue me with my life,
And sodainly looke for some monsterous fate,
Shall fall like thunder on my wretched state.
Enter a messenger.
Arme arme my Lord, my Lords to instant armes,
Foure mightie kinges are landed in thy coast,
And threaten death and ruine to thy land,
Blacke Porus the Æthiopian king,
Comes marching first with twentie thousand men,
Next Rhesus king of sweete Arabia,
In equall number and in battaile ray,
Next Bion king of rich Phasiaca,
And sterne Bebritius of Bebritia,
VVith each of them ful twentie thousand strong
All which hath vowd the death, of Ptolomy, and thus they hether
bend their speedie feete.
Pto.
How sodaynely is weather ouer cast,
How is the face of peacefull Ægypt changd,
Like as the smiling flowers aboue the ground,
By keenest edge of Euras breath is cut.
Cl.
To armes my Lord and gather vp your strength,
Your bandes in Memphis and in Caspia,
Ioynd with your power of Alexandria,
VVill double all the forces of these kinges,
Pto.
All shalbe done we may meane while,
Bury the body of this slaughtered prince,
Least with the vew my senses follow his,
Curst be his hand that wrought the damned deede,
Cold and vncouered may his body lye,
Let stormie hayle and thunder beate on him
And euery bird and beast runne ouer him,
That robd poore Ptolomy of such a hope,
Pursue the desperate Count that murdered him,
A thousand kingdomes shall not saue his life
Enter Leon.
A miracle a miracle, a dreadfull miracle.
Pto.
VVhat miracle, oh what will heauens do more,
To punish Ægypt and her haplesse king,
Leon
As I was walking through the Serian groues
I sawe the desperate Count the murderer,
Of good prince Doricles as I heare say,
Fly through the desarts to the mimphick shades
VVhere hell to interrupt his passage thether,
Rauing beneath the ground worke of the earth
As if ten thousand vapours burst in her,
Seuered her wombe and swallowed quicke,
Pto.
Iust are the heauens in his most dreadfull end,
But come my Lords let vs to instant armes,
To driue away more mischeiefes from our land.
Exeunt.
Leon.
So get you gone and perish all with him,
Now shall you know what want you haue of mee,
Now will I gather vp my sommes of money,
And of my creditors borow what I can,
Because as Leon Ile be seene no more,
This day they promisd for to meete me heere,
And here comes some of them.
Enter first Messenger.
My mayster sir your friend Calatius,
Hath sent you sir your fiue hundreth crownes for the rich
Iewell that he bought of you.
I thanke him hartely, this Iewell of so many thousand crownes
The Queene of Ægypt did bestowe on mee, when that I told
her in poore Jrus shape where her Cleanthes was, but soft who
haue we here.
Druso the Italian Marchant here by mee,
Hath sent you sir in Diamonds and in Pearles,
So much as mounteth to fiue thousand crownes,
And craues no more assurance but your woord,
Leon.
Theres my bill and thanke thy maister he shall haue
more then woord.
Neuer shall he nor they see this agayne,
Nor me neyther as I am this present man,
This with the rest I haue wil make a prettie somme
VVith this will I imploye me in these warres,
Now will I take on me the forme and shape,
Of Duke Cleanthes, but what intendes this alarum,
Alarum. Enter Clearchus.
VVhere may I seeke to finde Cleanthes out,
That martiall prince whom Ptolomy vnkinde,
Hath banished from out the Ægyptian Land,
Our warlike troopes are scatered and ouer throne,
Lie in the field besmired in their bloodes,
Ile run through al these groues to find him out.
Exit
Le.
My sweete Acates and Acanthes slayne,
Greife to my hart and sorrow to my soule,
Then rouse thy selfe Cleanthes and reuenge,
Their guiltlesse blood on these base miscreantes
Oh let the cankred trumpet of the deepe,
Be ratled out and ring into their eares,
The dire reuenge Cleanthes will inflicte,
One these foure Kings and all there complices,
Alarum Excursions,
Enter Cleanthes leading Porus, Rhesus, Bion, Bebritius, Pego, Clearchus Euribatus.
Clean.
Thus haue you stroue in vayne agaynst those Gods,
That rescues Ægypt in Cleanthes armes,
Come yeeld your crownes and homages to mee,
Though Ptolomie is dead yet I suruiue,
Elect and chosen by the peares to scourge,
The vile persumption of your hated liues,
Then yeeld as vanquisht vnto Aegypts king.
Por.
First by thy valoure and the strength of armes,
Porus the welthie Aethiopian king,
Doth yeeld his crowne and homage vnto thee,
Swearing by all my Gods whom I adore,
To honor Duke Cleanthes whilst he liue,
And in his ayde with twentie thousand men,
VVill alwayes march gaynst whom thou meanst to fyght,
Bi.
Bion whose necke was neuer forct to bow
Doth yeeld him captiue to thy warlike sworde,
Command what so thou list, we will performe,
And all my power shall march at thy commaund.
Rhe.
Rhesus doth yeeld his crowne and dignitie,
To great Cleanthes Aegyptes onely strength,
For if Cleanthes liues, who euer liued,
More likelier to be monarke of the world,
VVhich as the rest I render vnto thee.
Bebri.
So sayth Bebritius of Bebritia.
And layes his crowne and homage at thy feete,
Clean.
Hold take your crownes agayne and kepe your othes and fealties to mee,
So shal you liue as free as here to fore,
And neare hereafter stoupe to conquest more.
Enter Elimine and Samathis with childe,
Pego.
Here comes the two widowes of the begger and the
king, little know they that both their husbandes are turnd into
one king, there would be olde striuing who should bee
Queene I fayth.
Eli.
Pittie dread soueraigne.
Sa.
Pittie gratious Lord.
Clean.
VVhat are your sutes.
Eli.
I the poore countesse and the widdow left.
Of late Count Hermes hauing all my goodes,
seazd to our late kings vse for murder done,
Of young prince Doricles humbly pray your grace,
I may haue somewhat to mainetayne my state,
And this poore burthen which I goe withall.
The haplesse Infant of a haplesse father.
Sa.
And I my Lord humbly intreate your grace.
That where my husband Leon is deceast,
And left me much in debt, his creditors
Hauing seased all I haue into their handes,
And turnd me with this haplesse burthen heere,
Into the streetes your highnesse will descend,
To my reliefe by some conuenient order.
Clean.
Poore soules I most extreamely pittie them,
But say is Leon deade,
Clear.
Men say my Lord he cast his desperate body,
From Thalexandrian tower into the sea.
Cean.
VVho saw the sight, or gaue cut this reporte,
You maister Burgomaister.
I did my gratious Lord.
Clean.
So I deuisd indeede that he should say,
That none should neuer looke for Leon more
But these my widowes here must not be left,
vnto the mercie of the needy world,
Nor mine owne Issue that they goe withall,
Haue such base fortunes and there sire so great,
VVidowes in pittie of your widowhood,
And vntymely endes of both your husbandes,
The slaughter of the Count your husband madam,
Shalbe remitted, and your selfe enioy,
The vtmost of the liuing he possest,
So will I pay your husband Leons debt,
And both shall liue fitting there wonted slates,
Kinges in there mercie come most neare the Goddes,
And can no better shew it then in ruth,
Of widowes and of children fatherlesse,
My selfe will therefore be to both your birthes,
A carefull father in there bringing vp.
Ambo.
The Gods for euer blesse your maiestie,
Cle.
But tell me were your husbandes such bad men.
That euery way they did deserue such endes,
Eli.
Myne was a husband to my hartes content.
But that he vsd the priuiledge of men.
Clean
VVhat priuiledge of men,
Eli.
To take some other loue besides his wife
VVhich men think by their custome they may do,
Although their wiues be strictly bound to them.
Clean.
VVith whom suspect you he was great with all.
Eli.
VVith this poore widow here the worlde supposeth.
Sa.
So thinkes the world my husband was with you.
Pe,
Fayre dames what will you say to me,
If I can tell you where your husbandes bee.
Clean.
VVhat can you sir.
Pe.
Nay nothing sir I did but ieast with you, I feard him
I fayth but Ile be secret thats flat.
Clean.
VVell maister Burgomaister see that you restore,
Both of the countesse and rich Leons wife,
Not pittie of their widowhoodes alone,
But their rare beauties moue me to this good.
Oh Maister Burgomaister see heres your wife come to
welcome you home from warres.
Oh husband husband will you goe to warre, and leaue me in
this taking.
Pe.
This taking why this is a very good taking how say
you is it not and like your Maiestie.
Clean.
Tis very wel Maister Burgomaister.
Pe.
But Shall I intreat one boone of your Maiestie.
Cle.
VVhats that Maister Burgomaister.
Pe.
Mary euen to be god father to my young Burgomaister here.
Cle.
VVithall my hart sir.
Mar.
Come on sweete husband fot my time drawes neare.
Pe.
Feare not thou shalt be a ioyfull mother I warrant thee.
Cle.
How say you my Lordes is not our Burgomaister a
tall man euery way, did you not marke how manfully he be
haued himselfe in our late Battayle,
Po.
We did my Lord and wonder at his courage
Rhe.
His merit doth deserue a better place.
Then to be Burgomaister of Alexandria.
Cle.
Then say my Lordes how shall we deale with him.
Bi.
Had he beene widower he might haue wedded with
this countesse heere.
Pe.
Oh I haue one of mine owne I thanke you sir, heres one
has the sweete of them I fayth:
Po.
My Lord the offer had beene to hye a grace for him
For neare did eye behold a fayrer face.
Be.
So sayth mine eye that hath my hart incenst.
Bi.
And Rhesus me thinkes this exceedes her farre,
Rhe.
No question of it as the sonne a starre.
Po.
As sodaynely as lightning beautie woundes,
Be.
None euer loud but at first sight they loud.
Loues dartes are swift as is the lightning fier.
Rhe.
See he shootes arrowes burning from her eyes.
Po.
VVhy which loues Rhesus.
Rhe.
This cœlestiall dame.
Po
And which loues Bion.
Bi.
Euen the very same.
Po.
Then may I freely Ioy the countesse heere.
Be.
No Porus for Bebritius loues her too
Cle.
Are they in loue oh Gods would that were true
My louing ioy the fresh desire of kinges.
How now my Lords doth beauty startle you
Po.
More then dead stockes would startle at such beauty,
Be.
In vayne do I resist my passions,
Mightie Cleanthes to annex my hart,
In loue to thee aswell as victorie,
Grant this fayre countesse here may be my queene.
Po.
No great Cleanthes giue her to my hand,
VVhose hart was first the subiect of her graces.
Rhe.
Then let the Arabian king make this his queene.
Bi.
Nay this Cleanthes let my loue inioy.
Cle.
How fatall are these loues now I perceaue,
Their fortunes that I told as I was Irus.
VVill now in force I see be come to passe.
Sa.
Oh holy Irus blessed be thy tongue,
That like an orator hath told our fortunes.
Eli.
He told vs we should soone lose our first loues,
Making our second choise mongst greatest kinges.
Cle.
I did indeede, but God knowes knew not how.
Pe.
How say you maister brother, am not I secret now,
Cle.
Thou art and be so still for not the worlde,
Shall euer know the mad prankes I haue played,
Now stand fayre my Lordes and let these Ladies view you,
Eli.
In my eye now the blackest is the fayrest,
For euery woman chooseth white and red,
Come martiall Perus thou shalt haue my loue.
Be.
Out on thee foolish woman thou hast chose a deuill.
Pe.
Not yet sir til he haue hornes.
Tis not the face and colour I regard,
But fresh and louely youth allures my choyse,
And thee most beautious Bion I affecte.
Rhe.
Haplesse is Rhesus.
Bebri.
Accurst Bebritius.
Cle.
Haue patience gentle Lordes I will prouide,
Other Ægyptian Ladies for your turne,
So will we linke in perfit league of loue,
So shall the victorie you lost to me,
Set double glorie on your conquered heades.
So let vs goe to frolicke in our Court.
Carousing free whole boules of greekish wine,
In honor of the conquest we haue made,
That at our banquet all the Gods may tend,
Plauding our victorie and this happie end.
Exeunt.
| The Blinde begger of Alexandria | |