University of Virginia Library

Scœn. 6.

Amilcar
, Favorina, Gracchvs, Gladiator, Servi: Stipatores.
I haue a thousand plagues in readinesse,
Strappadoes, and empalements, pitch, and oile,
A Racke of Bow-strings, a tormenting Bull.
Hogs-heads with nailes inuerted, furies whips,
And artificiall prickes of Adders bone,
Which to behold, in practise on my slaue,
Your Lady-ship is welcome; and approach
Most opportunely (Madam:) after all
When griefe hath sear'd your eye-sight vp; you shall
Then be dis-burthn'd of that chastity
Which is a trouble to your conscience:
I (Madam) will remoue the deere suspence
Of question; whither you may prostitute,
And so resolue you a whore absolute:
(Seruants) come cast my drudge vpon the wheele;
Stand vp-right (rascall) stand sir, do not reele,
Take your last leaue of standing; say adiew
To ease; and as you leaue paine, looke for new.

Fav.
O saue my Eunuch, and I will submit
My whole reuenue, life, and chastity
To your disposall.

Ami.
President of shame!
Shoote (hell) a bon-fire of vnbounded flame,
And may each heau'nly star augment his light
To make this woman famous, may each night
Change foggy darkenesse to prodigious day,
And (by some signe) a subtle whoore display
To be the miracle of monstruous age
Worthy of iudgements quill, and natures stage.
Are you the vestall? that religious Nun,
Who speake no sillable but Innocence,
Sacred deuotion, Virgin chastity?
Raile at our fleshly sinnes, concupisence,
Temptations actuall, and yet embrace,
Nay, hug hels bosome? creepe into the vice
(Which you would seeme so liuely to abhorre)
Gaping at small occasion? (Madam) know
Affection is my seruant, Will my slaue,
Passion my drudge, Temptation is my page
And I more easily can command them all,
Then may a Turke his tugging Gally-slaue:
Know, I contemne that curteous venery
Which is affoorded scot-free; such nice dames
Would seeme to couer when they couet flames.
Of puddle-water no sicke patient drinkes;
A pretious odour, cheapely valued, stinkes.
And, that you may conceiue how I esteeme
Your beauty; thus will I deforme—

Fa.
O helpe.

Gla.
Harke (neighbours) follow, force downe locks & bars,
Attach the Traitor,

Ami.
Am I then betrai'd?

Gla.
Take vp the Queene.

Fa.
My wound's not mortall; stay
Release that Eunuch.

Sti.
Keepe the Traitor safe,

Fa.
Con-vey him as an Ideot, or Drudge;
My Wrong may be accuser, Clearke, and Iudge.