 | The Lavves of Candy |  |
Actus primus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Gaspero, and Melitus.Mel.
Sir, you'r the very friend I wish'd to meet with,
I have a large discourse invites your eare
To be an Auditor.
Gas.
And what concernes it?
Mel.
The sadly thriving progresse of the loves
Betweene my Lord the Prince, and that great Lady,
Whose insolencie, and never-yet-match'd pride,
Can by no Character be well exprest,
But in her onlie name, the prow'd Erota.
Gas.
Alas Melitus, I should ghesse, the best
Successe your Prince could find from her, to be
As harsh as the event doth prove: but now
'Tis not a time to pity passionate griefes,
When a whole Kingdome in a manner lies
Upon its death-bed bleeding.
Mel.
Who can tell
Whether or no, these many plagues at once
Hang over this unhappie Land, for her sake,
That is a monster in it.
Gas.
Here's the miserie
Of having a child our Prince: else I presume
The bold Venecians had not dar'd to attempt
So bloudie an Invasion.
Mel.
Yet I wonder
Why, Master Secretarie, still the Senate
So almost superstitiouslie adores,
Gonzalo the Venetian Lord, considering
The outrage of his Countrymen—
Gas.
The Senate
Is wise, and therein just, for this Gonzalo,
Upon a Massacre performed at Sea
By the Admirall of Venice, on a Merchant
Of Candy, when the cause was to be heard
Before the Senate there, in open Court
Professed, that the crueltie the Admirall
Had shewed, deserved not only fine, but death:
For Candy then, and Venice were at peace:
Since when upon a motion in the Senate,
For conquest of our Land, 'tis known for certaine,
That only this Gonzalo dar'd to oppose it,
His reason was, because it too much favoured
Of Lawlesse, and unjust ambition.
The wars were scarce begun, but he (in feare
Of quarrels 'gainst his life) fled from his Countrie,
And hether came, where (to confirme his truth)
I know (Melitus) he, out of his owne store,
Hath monied Cassilanes the Generall.
Mel.
What, without other pledges then Cassilanes
Bare promise of payment?
Gas.
No, it may be
He has some pettie Lordship to retire to:
But this he hath done; now 'tis fit Melitus,
The Senate should be thankefull, otherwise,
They should annihilate one of those Laws,
For which this Kiagdome is throughout the world
Unfollowed, and admired.
Mel.
What Lawes are these? sir,
Let me so much importune you.
Gas.
You shall,
And they be worth your knowledge; briefly thus:
Who ere he be that can detect apparantly
Another of ingratitude, for any
Received benefit, the Plaintiffe may
Require the offenders life; unlesse he please
Freely, and willingly to grant remission.
Mel.
By which strict Law the Senate is in danger,
Should they neglect Gonzalo.
Gas.
Right; the Law
Permits a like equalitie to Aliens,
As to a home-borne Patriot.
Mel.
Pray sir the other?
Gas.
Know Melitus,
The elder Cretans flourished many yeares,
In War, in Peace, unparalel'd, and they
(To spurre heroicke spirits on to vertue)
Enacted that what man so ere he were,
Did noblest in the field against his enemie,
So by the generall voice approv'd, and knowne,
Might at his home-returne, make his demand
For satisfaction, and reward.
Mel.
They are
Both famous Lawes indeed.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
Master Secretarie,
The Senate is about to sit, and crave
Your presence.
Gas.
What, so suddenly?
Mes.
These Letters
Will shew the causes why.
Gas.
Heaven thou art great,
And worthie to be thanked.
Mel.
Your countenance sir
Doth promise some good tidings.
Gas.
O the best
And happiest for this land, that e're was told!
All the Venetian Forces are defeated.
Mel.
How Sir?
Gas.
And what doth adde some delight more,
There is amongst the Souldiers a contention
Who shall be the triumpher and it stands
Doubtfull betweene a Father and his Son,
Old Cassilanes, and young Antinous.
Mel.
Why may not both demand it?
Gas.
The Law denies it:
But where the Souldiers do not all consent,
The parties in contention, are refer'd
To plead before the Senate; and from them,
Upon an open Audience, to be judg'd
The Chiefe, and then to make demands.
Mel.
You ravish me
With wonder and delight.
Gas.
Come: as we walke,
I shall more fully informe you.
Exeunt.
Scæn. 2.
Enter Cassilanes, Arcanes, Antinous, and Decius.Cas.
Admit no Souldier neare us, till the Senate
Have tooke their places.
52
You are obey'd, my Lord.
Ant.
Decius, fall off.
Dec.
I shall.
Cas.
Give leave Arcanes:
Young-man come nearer to me: who am I?
Ant.
It were a sin against the piety
Of filiall duty, if I should forget
The debt I owe my father on my knee;
Your pleasure?
Cas.
What, so low? canst thou finde joynts,
Yet be an Elephant? Antinous, rise:
Thou wilt belye opinion, and rebate
The ambition of thy gallantry, that they
Whose confidence thou hast bewitched, should see
Their little God of War, kneele to his father,
Though in my hand I did graspe Thunder.
Ant.
Sir,
For proofe that I acknowledge you the Author
Of giving me my birth, I have discharg'd
A part of my obedience. But if now
You should (as cruell fathers do) proclame
Your right, and Tyrant like usurp the glory
Of my peculiar honours, not deriv'd
From successary, but purchas'd with my bloud,
Then I must stand first Champion for my selfe,
Against all interposers.
Cas.
Boldly urg'd,
And proudly, I could love thee, did not anger
Consult with just disdaine, in open language
To call thee most ungratefull. Say freely,
Wilt thou resigne the flatteries, whereon
The reeling pillars of a popular breath,
Have rais'd thy Giant-like conceit; to adde
A suffrage to thy fathers merit, speake?
Ant.
Sir, heare me: were there not a Chronicle
Well pend by all their tongues, who can report
What they have seene you do; or had you not
Best in your owne performance writ your selfe,
And been your own Text, I would undertake
Alone, without the helpe of Art, or Character,
But only to recount you deeds in Armes,
And you should ever then be fam'd a president
Of living victory: But as you are
Great, and well worthy to be stiled great,
It would betray a povertie of spirit
In me to obstruct my fortunes, or discent,
If I should coward-like surrender up
The interest, which the inheritance of your vertue,
And mine owne thriftie fate can claime in honour:
My Lord, of all the masse of fame, which any
That weares a sword, and hath but seen me fight,
Gives me, I will not share, nor yeild one jot,
One tittle.
Cas.
Not to me?
Ant.
You are my father,
Yet not to you.
Cas.
Ambitious boy, how darst thou
To tell me, that thou wilt contend?
Ant.
Had I
Been sloathfull, and not followed you in all
The streights of death, you might have justly then
Reputed me a bastard; 'tis a cruelty,
More then to murther Innocents, to take
The life of my yet Infant-honour from me.
Cas.
Antinous, looke upon this badge of age,
Thy fathers gray-hair'd beard: full fifty yeares,
(And more then halfe of this, ere thou wert borne)
I have been knowne a Souldier, in which time
I found no difference 'twixt War and Peace,
For War was peace to me, and Peace was war;
Antinous, marke me well; there hath not liv'd
These fifty yeares, a man whom Creet prefer'd
Before thy farher; let me boldly boast,
Thy father, both for Discipline, and Action,
Hath so long been the first of all his Nation;
Now canst thou thinke it honest, charitable,
Nay humane, being so young, my son, my child,
Begot, bred, taught by me, by me thy father,
For one dayes service, and that on thy first,
To rob me of a glory which I fought for
A halfe of hundred yeares.
Ant.
My case observes
Both equity, and presidents; for sir,
That very day whereon you got your fame,
You tooke it from some other, who was then
Chiefe in repute, as you are now; and had been
Perhaps as many yeares deserving that,
Which you gain'd in a day, as I have mine.
Cas.
But he was not my father then Antinous.
Thou leav'st out that.
Ant.
Sir had he been your father,
He had been then immortall: for a father
Heightens his reputation, where his son
Inherits it, as when you give us life,
Your life is not diminish'd, but renew'd
In us, when you are dead, and we are still
Your living Images.
Cas.
So be thou curs'd
In thy posterity, as I in thee,
Dishonorable boy: O shall that Sun,
Which not a yeare yet since, beheld me mounted
Upon a fierie steed, waving my sword,
And teaching this young-man to manage Armes,
That was a raw, fresh novice in the feates
Of Chivalrie, shall that same sun be witnesse
Against this brat, of his ingratitude?
Who to ecclipse the light of my renowne,
Can no way hope to get a Noble name,
But by the treading on his fathers greatnesse;
Thou wilt not yeald?
Enter Arcanes.
Ant.
My life, but not the prize
My Sword hath purchas'd.
Arc.
The Senate
My Lord are here at hand; and all the souldiers
Begin to throng about them.
Cas.
Now Arcanes the—
Arc.
What sir?
Cas.
Trifles will affront us: that
Fine fighting Stripling,
Arc.
Let him have the shame on't:
Please you withdraw on this side.
Cas.
My great heart
Was never quaild before.
Dec.
My Lord be confident,
Let not your father dant you.
Ant.
Decius, whether
Must I withdraw?
Dec.
On this side.—See the Souldiers
Attend your pleasure—courage sir; the Senate.
Cas.
Way for the Senate.
Enter Porphicio, Possenme (3 Senators) Gonzalo, Gaspero, Souldiers.
53
What taxe of arrogance I may incurre,
Should I presume, though courted by your favours.
To take a place amongst you: I had rather
Give proofe of my unfeign'd humility
By force, though meane, yet more becomming place,
Then run the hazard of a doubtfull censure.
Pos.
My Lord, your wisedome is both known & try'd;
We cannot ranke ye in a nobler friendship,
Then your great service to the state deserves.
Por.
Wil't please you sit?
Enter Fernando with Sold.
Gonz.
What here my Lord Porphicio?
It must not be.
Porp.
My Lord you are too modest.
Gonz.
It is no season to be troublesome,
Else—But I have done: Your Lordships are observ'd.
Gosp.
Is the demandant ready?
Arc.
He is ready.
Gasp.
Produce him then.
Arc.
Before this sacred presence,
I, by a generall consent, am made
The Souldiers voice, and to your gratious wisedomes,
Present as chiefe in Armes, his Countries Champion,
Cassilanes.
Dec.
Most reverend Lords, you heare the lesser number
Of those who have been Guardians to this Countrey,
Approve this Champion; I in all their names
Who fought for Candy, here present before you
The mightiest man in Armes, Antinous.
Speak fellow souldiers.
Sold.
Antinous, Antinous.
Gasp.
Stand by all, save the two competitors.
Poss.
My Lords, how much your Countrey owes you both,
The due reward of your desertfull glories
Must to posterity remain: But yet
Since, by our Law, one onely can make claime
To the proposed honours which you both
(It seems) have truely merited, take leave
Freely to plead your rights: we shall attend you.
Porp.
Wherein priority of voyce is granted
Lord Cassilanes to you: for that your rare
And long experience in the course of war,
As well doth challenge it, as the best priviledge
Of Order and civility, for that
You are your brave opponents worthy father.
Say Countrey-men, are you content?
Sold.
I, I.
Cass.
Right grave, right gratious fathers; how unfit
It is for me, that all my life time have
Been practis'd in the schoole of bloud, and slaughter.
To bandy words now in my lifes last farewell,
Your wisedomes will consider; were there pitcht
Another, and another field, like that
Which not yet three days since, this arme hath scatter'd,
Defeated, and made nothing, then the man
That had a heart to thinke he could but follow,
(For equall me he should not) through the lanes
Of danger and amazement, might in that,
That onely of but folowing me, be happy,
Reputed worthy to be made my rivall:
For 'tis not Lords, unknowne to those about me,
(My fellow souldiers) first with what a confidence
I led them on to fight, went on still, and
And as if I could have beene a second Nature,
As well in heartning them by my example,
As by my exhortation, I gave life
To quicken courage, to inflame revenge,
To heighten resolution; in a word,
To out-doe action: It boots not to discover,
How that yong-man, who was not fledg'd nor skil'd
In Martiall play, was even as ignorant
As childish: But I list not to disparage
His non-ability: The signall given
Of Battaile, when our enemies came on,
(Directed more by fuerie, then warrant
Of Policy and Stratagem) I met them,
I in the fore-front of the Armies met them;
And as if this old weather-beaten body
Had been compos'd of Cannon-proof, I stood
The volleys of their shot. I, I my selfe
Was he that first dis-rankt their woods of Pikes:
But when we came to handy-stroaks, as often
As I lent blowes, so often I gave wounds,
And every wound a death. I may be bold
To justifie a truth, this very sword
Of mine slew more then any twaine besides:
And, which is not the least of all my glorie,
When he, this young man, hand to hand in fight,
Was by the Generall of the Venetians,
And such as were his retinue, unhors'd,
I stept between, and rescu'd him my selfe,
Or horses hoofs had trampled him to dirt;
And whilst he was re-mounting, I maintain'd
The combate with the gallant Generall,
Till having taken breath, he throng'd hefore me,
Renew'd the fight, and with a fatall blow,
Stole both that honour from me, and his life
From him, whom I before my selfe alone,
Had more then full three quarters kill'd: A man
Well worthy onely by this hand to have dy'd,
Not by a Boyes weak push: I talke too much,
But 'tis a fault of Age: If to bring home
Long peace, long victorie, even to your Capitoll;
If to secure your Kingdome, Wives, and Children,
Your lives and liberties; if to renowne
Your honours through the world, to fix your names,
Like Blazing starres, admir'd, and fear'd by all,
That have but heard of Candy, or a Cretane,
Be to deserve the approvement of my man-hood,
Then thus much have I done: what more, examine
The Annalls of my life; and then consider
What I have been, and am. Lords I have said.
Gonz.
With reverence to the Senate, is it lawfull,
Without your Customes breach, to say a word?
Pos.
Say on my Lord Gonzalo.
Gonz.
I have heard,
And with no little wonder, such high deeds
Of Chivalrie discours'd, that I confesse,
I doe not think the Worthies while they liv'd
All nine, deserv'd as much applause, or memorie,
As this one: But who can doe ought to gaine
The Crowne of honour from him, must be some what
More then a man; you tread a dangerous path,
Yet I shall heare you gladly: for believe me,
Thus much let me professe, in honours cause,
I would not to my father, nor my King,
(My Countries father) yield: if you transcend
What we have heard, I can but onely say,
That miracles are yet in use. I feare
I have offended.
Porp.
You have spoken nobly.
Antinous use your priviledge.
54
Princely fathers,
E're I begin, one suit I have to make,
'Tis just, and honourable.
Porp., Poss.
Speak, and have it.
Ant.
That you would please the souldiers might all stand
Together by their Generall.
Poss.
'Tis granted.
All fall to yonder side: Goe on, Antinous.
Ant.
I shall be briefe and plaine: All what my father
(This Countries Patron) hath discours'd, is true.
Fellowes in Armes: speak you is't true?
Sol.
True, true.
Ant.
It followes, that the blaze of my performance
Took light from what I saw him doe; and thus
A City (though the flame be much more dreadfull)
May from a little sparke be set on fire;
Of all what I have done, I shall give instance
Onely in three maine proofs of my desert.
First I sought out (but through how many dangers
My Lords judge ye) the chiefe, the great Commander,
The head of that huge body, whose prowd weight
Our Land shrunke under, him I found and fought with,
Fought with, and slew. Fellowes in Armes, speak you,
Is't true or not?
Sold.
True, true.
Ant.
When he was falne,
The hearts of all our adversaries?
Began to quaile, till young Fernando, sonne
To the last Duke of Venice gather'd head,
And soone renew'd the field, by whose example
The bold Venetians doubling strength and courage
Had got the better of the day, our men
Supposing that their adversaries grew
Like Hydra's head, recoyle, and 'gan to flye:
I follow'd them; and what I said, they know;
The summe on't is; I call'd them back, new rankt them;
Lead on, they follow'd, shrunk not till the end:
Fellowes in Armes is't true, or no.
Sold.
True, true.
Ant.
Lastly, to finish all, there was but one,
The onely great exploit; which was to take
Fernando prisoner, and that hand to hand
In single fight I did: my selfe without
The helpe of any arme, save the arme of heaven.
Speak souldiers, is it true, or no?
Sol.
Antinous, Antinous.
Ant.
Behold my prisoner, Fathers.
Fern.
This one man
Ruin'd our Army, and hath glorifi'd
Creete in her robes of mightinesse and conquest.
Pos.
We need not use long circumstance of words,
Antinous thou art conquerer: the Senate,
The souldiers, and thy valour have pronounc'd it.
All.
Antinous, Antinous.
Porp.
Make thy demand.
Cas.
Please ye (my Lord) give leave
That I may part.
Pos.
No Cassilanes, the Court
Should therein be dishonour'd, doe not imagine
We prize your presence at so slight a rate.
Demand Antinous.
Ant.
Thus (my Lords) to witnesse
How far I am from arrogance, or thinking
I am more valiant, though more favour'd
Then my most matchlesse father, my demand is,
That for a lasting memorie of his name,
His deeds, his reall, nay his royall worth,
You set up in your Capitoll in Brasse
My fathers Statue, there to stand for ever
A Monument and Trophy of his victories,
With this Inscription to succeeding ages,
Great Cassilanes, Patron of Candy's Peace,
Perpetuall Triumpher.
Por., Pos.
It is granted. What more?
Ant.
No more.
Cas.
How boy?
Gonz.
Thou art immortall,
Both for thy Son-like pietie, and beauties
Of an unconquer'd minde.
Ant.
My Prisoner (Lords)
To your more sacred wisedomes I surrender:
Fit you his ransome; halfe whereof I give
For largesse to the Souldiers: the other halfe
To the erection of this monument.
Cass.
Ambitious villaine.
Gonz.
Thou art all un-immitable.
My Lords to work a certaine peace for Candy
With Venice, use Fernando like a Prince;
His ransome Ile disburse what e're it be:
Yet you may stay him with you, till conditions
Of amitie shall be concluded on:
Are yee content?
Porp.
We are, and ever rest
Both friends add debters to your noblenesse.
Gonz.
Souldiers attend me in the Market-place,
Ile thither send your largesse.
Sold.
Antinous, Antinous.
Exeunt.
Cas.
I have a sute too, Lords.
Porp., Pos.
Propose it, 'tis yours, if fit and just.
Cas.
Let not my services,
My being forty yeares a drudge, a pack-horse
To you, and to the State, be branded now
With Ignominy ne're to be forgotten:
Reare me no Monument, unlesse you meane
To have me fam'd a Coward, and be stamp'd so.
Pos.
We understand you not.
Cas.
Proud boy, thou dost,
And Tyrant-like insult'st upon my shame.
Ant.
Sir, heaven can tell, and my integrity,
What I did, was but onely to inforce
The Senates gratitude. I now acknowledge it.
Cas.
Observe it Fathers, how this haughty boy
Growes cunning in his envy of mine honours:
He knowes no mention can of me be made,
But that it ever likewise must be told,
How I by him was master'd; and for surety
That all succeeding times may so report it,
He would have my dishonour, and his Triumphs
Ingrav'd in Brasse: hence, hence proceeds the falshood
Of his insinuating piety.
Thou art no childe of mine: thee and thy bloud,
Here in the Capitoll, before the Senate,
I utterly renounce: So thrift and fate
Confirme me; henceforth never see my face,
Be, as thou art, a villaine to thy father.
Lords I must crave your leaves: come, come Arcanes.
Ex.
Gonz.
Here's a strange high-borne spirit.
Pos.
'Tis but heat
Of suddaine present rage; I dare assure
Antinous of his favour.
Ant.
I not doubt it,
He is both a good man, and a good father.
55
Poss.
Doe Antinous.
Gonz.
Yes: feast thy Triumphs,
With applause and pleasures.
Por., Poss.
Lead on.
Exeunt.
Flor. Cornets.
Ant.
I utterly renounce—'Twas so?
Was't not, my Decius?
Dec.
Pish, you know my Lord,
Old men are chollerick.
Ant.
And lastly parted
With, never henceforth see my face: O me,
How have I lost a Father? Such a father?
Such a one Decius! I am miserable,
Beyond expression.
Dec.
Fie, how unbecomming
This shewes upon your day of fame?
Ant.
O mischiefe:
I must no more come neare him; that I know,
And am assur'd on't.
Dec.
Say you doe not?
Ant.
True
Put case I doe not: what is Candy then
To lost Antinous? Malta, I resolve
To end my dayes in thee.
Dec.
How's that?
Ant.
Ile trie
All humble meanes of being reconcil'd,
Which if deny'd, then I may justly say,
This day has prov'd my worst: Decius my worst.
Exeunt
| The Lavves of Candy | |