University of Virginia Library

Actus Secundus

Scena Prima.

Enter Clown whispering Virginia, after her M. Clodius with presents.
Virginia.
Sirrah, go tell Calpharina, I am walking
to take the air: intreat her company.
Say I attend her coming.

Corbulo.

Madam, I shall: but if you could walk abroad, and get an
Heir, it were better, for your father hath a fair revenue, and never a
son to inherit.

Virginia.

You are, sirrah—

Corbulo.

Yes I am sirrah: but not the party that is born to do that;
though I have no Lorships, yet I have so much manners to give my
betters place.

Virginia.

Whom mean you by your betters?

Corbulo.

I hope I have learnt to know the three degrees of comparison:
for though I be bonus, and you melior as well as mulier; yet
my Lord Icilius is optimus.

Virginia.
I see there's nothing in such private done,
but you must inquire after.

Corbulo.

And can you blame us (Madam) to long for the merry
day, as you do for the merry night?

Virginia.
Will you be gone sir?

Corbula.
Oh yes, to my Lady Calpharniaos. I remember my errand.
Exit Corbulo.

Vir.
My father's wondrous pensive, and withall
with a supprest rage left his house displeas'd,
and so in post is hurried to the camp:
it sads me much; to expell which melancholy,
I have sent for company.

Enter Clodius and Musicians.
Clodius.
This opportunity was subtilly waited,
it is the best part of a polititian
when he would compasse ought to fame his industry
wisely to waite the advantage of the houres;
his happie minutes are not always present.
Expresse your greatest art, Virginia hears you.

Song.
Vir.
Oh I conceive the occasion of this harmony
Icilius sent it, I must thank his kindnesse.

Clo.
Let not Virginia wate her contemplation
so high, to call this visit an intrusion;
for when she understands I tooke my message
from one that did compose it with affection,
I know she will not only extend pardon,
but grace it with her favour.

Vir.
You mediate excuse for courtesies,
as if I were so barren of civility,
not to esteeme it worthy of my thanks;
assure your selfe I could be longer patient
to hear my eares so feasted.

Clo.
Joyne all your voyces till you make the aire
proud to usurpe your notes, and to please her
with a sweet eccho; serve Virginias pleasure.
Song.
As you have been so full of gentlenesse
to heare with patience what was brought to serve you,
so hearken with your usuall clemency
to the relation of a lovers sufferings:
your figure still does revell in his dreames,
he banquets on your memory, yet findes
not thoughts enough to satisfie his wishes,
as if Virginia had compos'd his heart,
and fills it with her beauty.

Vir.
I see he is a miser in his wishes,
and thinks he never has enough of that
which onely he possesses: but to give
his wishes satisfaction, let him know
his heart and mine doe dwell so near together.
that hourely they converse, and guard each other.

Clo.
Is faire Virginia confident she knowes
her favour dwels with the same man I plead for?

Vir.
—Unto Icilius.

Clo.
Worthy faire one,
I would not wrong your worth so to employ
my language for a man so much beneath
the merit of your beauty: he I plead for
has power to make your beauty populous,
your frowne shall awe the world, and in your smile
great Rome shall build her happinesse;
honour and wealth shall not be stil'd companions
but servants to your pleasure.
Then shall Icilius (but a refin'd Citizen)
boast your affection, when Lord Appius loves you.

Vir.
Blesse his great Lordship, I was much mistaken,
let thy Lord know, thou Advocate of lust,
all the intentions of that youth are honourable,
whil'st his are fill'd with sensuality.
And for a finall resolution know,
our hearts in love like twins alike shall grow.

Exit.
Clo.
Had I a wife, or daughter that could please him
I would devote her to him, but I must
shadow this scorne, and sooth him still in lust.

Exit.
Enter six Souldiers.
1.
What newes yet of Virginius returne?

2.
Not any.

1.
O the misery of Souldiers!
They doubly starve us with faire promises.
We spread the earth like haile, or new reapt corne
in this fierce famine; and yet patiently
make our obedience the confined Jaile
that starves us:

3.
Souldiers, let us draw our swords
while we have strength to use them.

1.
'Tis a motion
which nature and necessity commands.

Enter Minutius.
Minut.
Y'are of Virginius Regiment.

Omnes.
We are.

Minut.
Why doe you swarme in troopes thus? to your quarter.
Is our command growne idle? to your trench.
Come I'le divide you, this your conference
is not without suspect of mutiny.

1.
Souldiers, shall I relate the grievances
of the whole Regiment.

Omnes.
Boldly.

1.
Then thus my Lord.

Minut.
Come, I will not hear thee,

1.
Sir you shall:
Sound all the Drums and Trumpets in the camp,
to drowne my utterance, yet above them all
I'le rear our just complaint. Stir not my Lord,
I vow you are not safe if you but move
a sinew till you heare us.

Minut.
Well sir, command us: you are the Generall.

1.
No my Lord, not I,
I am almost starved; I wake in the wet trench,
loaded with more cold iron then a Jaile
would give a murderer, while the Generall
sleeps in a field bed, and to mock our hunger
feeds us with scent of the most curious fare
that makes his tables crack, our pay detained
by those that are our Leaders: and at once
we in this sad, and unprepared plight,
with the Enemy, and Famine daily sight.

Minut.
Doe you threaten us?

Omnes.
Sir you shall hear him out.

1.
You send us whips, and iron manackles,
and shackles plenty, but the devill a coine.
Would you would teach us that caniball trick, my Lord,
which some rich men 'ith'City oft doe use:
shall's one devoure another?

Minut.
Will you hear me?

1.
O Rome th'art growne a most unnaturall mother,
to those have held thee by the golden locks
from sinking into ruine; Romulus
was fed by a she wolfe, but now our wolves
instead of feeding us devoure our flesh,
carouse our blood, yet are not drunk with it,
for three parts of 'tis water.

Minut.
Your Captaine,
noble Virginius is sent Rome,
for ease of all your grievances.

1.
'Tis false.

Omnes.
I, 'Tis false.

1.
Hee's stolne away from's, never to returne,
and now his age will suffer him no more
deale on the Enemy, belike hee'l turne
an usurer, and in the City aire
cut poore mens throats at home sitting in's chaire.

Minut.
You wrong one of the honorablest Commanders.

Omnes.
Honorable Commander?

1.
Commander? I my Lord, there goes the thrift
in victories, the Generall and Commanders
share all the honour as they share the spoile;
but in our overthrowes, where lies the blame?
the common souldiers fault, ours is the shame.
What is the reason that being so far distant
from the affrighted enemy? wee lie
'ith'open field, subject to the sick humors
of heaven and earth: unlesse you cood bestow
two summers of us? shall I tell you truth,
You account the expence of Ingines, and of swords,
of horses and of armor dearer far,
then souldiers lives.

Omnes.
Now by the gods you doe.

1.
Observe you not the ravens and the crowes
have left the City surfet, and with us
they make full banquets. Come you birds of death,
and fill your greedy croppes with humane flesh;
then to the City flie, disgorge it there
before the Senate, and from thence arise
a plague to choake all Rome.

Omnes.
And all the Suburbs.

Minut.
Upon a souldiers word, bold Gentlemen,
I expect every houre Virginius
to bring fresh comfort.

Omnes.
Whom? Virginius?

1.
Now by the gods, if ever he returne,
wee'le drag him to the slaughter by his locks,
turned white with riot and incontinence,
and leave a president to all the world,
how Captaines use their souldiers.

Enter Virginius.
Minut.
See, hee's returned.
Virginius, you are not safe, retire,
your troopes are mutinous, we are begirt
with Enemies more daring, and more fierce,
then is the common foe.

Virg.
My Troopes, my Lord?

Minut.
Your life is threatned by these desperate men,
betake you to your horse.

Virg.
My noble Lord,
I never yet profest to teach the art
of dying Ha, our troopes grown mutinous?
he dares not look on me with half a face
that spread this wildfire. Where is our Lieutenant?

Val.
My Lord.

Virg.
Sirrah, order our companies.

Minut.
What do you mean, my Lord?

Virg.
Take air a little, they have heated me.
Sirrah, i'st you will mutiny?

3.
Not I Sir.

Virg.
Is your gall burst, you Traitor?

4.
The gods defend Sir.

Virg.
Or is your stomack sea sick, doth it rise?
I'l make a passage for it.

5.
Noble Captain, I'l dye beneath your foot.

Virg.
You rough porcupine, ha,
do you bristle, do you shoot your quils you rogue?

1.
They have no points to hurt you, noble Captain.

Virg.
Wast you (my nimble shaver) that would whet
your sword 'gainst your Commanders throat, you sirrah?

6.
My Lord I never dream't on't.

Virg.
Slaves and cowards,
what are you cholerick now? by the gods
the way to purge it were to let you blood.
I am i'th'center of you, and I'l make
the proudest of you teach the Aspen leaf
to tremble, when I breath.

Minut.
A strange Conversion.

Virg.
Advance your pikes. The word,

Omnes.
Advance your pikes.

Virg.
See noble Lord, these are no Mutineers,
these are obedient souldiers, civil men:
You shal command these, if your Lordship please,
to fil a ditch up with their slaughtered bodies,
that with more ease you may assault some Town.
So now lay down your Arms. Villains and Traitors,
I here cashier you. Hence from me my poison,
not worthy of our Discipline: Go beg,
go beg, you mutinous rogues, brag of the service
you ne'er durst look on; it were charity
to hang you, for my mind gives, y'are reserv'd
to rob poor market women.

Minut.
O Virginius.

Virg.
I do beseech you to confirm my sentence,
as you respect me. I will stand my self
for the whole Regiment, and safer far
in mine owne single valour, then begirt
with cowards and with traitors.

Minut.
O my Lord, you are too severe.

Virg.
Now by the gods, my Lord,
you know no discipline, to pitie them.
Pretious divells? no sooner my back turn'd,
but presently to mutinie?

Omnes:
dear Captaine.

Virg.
Refuse me if such traiterous rogues
would not confound an Army. When doe you march?
when doe you march, gentlemen?

1.
My Lord, wee'l starve first,
wee'le hang first, by the gods, doe any thing
ere wee'le forsake you.

Minut.
Good Virginius,
limit your passion.

Virg.
Sir, you may take my place,
not my just anger from me: these are they
have bred a dearth i'th'campe: I'le wish our foes
no greater plague then to have their company:
show but among them all so many scars
as stick upon this flesh, I'le pardon them.

Minut.
How now, my Lord, breathlesse?

Virg.
By your favour. I ha said.
Mischiefs confound me if I could not wish
my youth renewed againe, with all her follies,
onely to 'ave breath enough to raile against
these—'Tis too short.

Minut.
See Gentlemen, what strange distraction
you falling off from duty hath begot
in this most noble souldier: You may live
the meanest of you to command a Troope,
and then in others youle correct those faults,
which in your selves you cherisht, every Captain
beares in his private government that forme,
which Kings should ore their Subjects, and to them
should be the like obedient. We confesse
you have been distrest: but can you justly challenge
any commander that hath surfeted,
while that your food was limited? You cannot.

Virg.
My Lord, I have shared with them an equall fortune,
hunger, and cold, marcht thorough watery fens,
borne as great burdens as the pioneer,
when scarce the ground would bear me.

Minut.
Good my Lord, give us leave to proceed;
the punishment your Captaine hath inflicted
is not sufficient; for it cannot bring
any example to succeeding times
of pennance worth your faulting: happily
it may in you beget a certaine shame;
But it will in others a strong hope
of the like lenity. Yet gentlemen,
you have in one thing given me such a taste
of your obedience; when the fire was raised
of fierce sedition, and the cheeke was swolne
to sound the fatall Trumpet, then the sight
of this your worthy Captaine did disperse
all those unfruitfull humours, and even then
convert you from feirce Tigers to stayed men:
we therefore pardon you, and doe restore
your Captaine to you, you unto your Captaine.

Omnes.
The gods requite you, noble Generall.

Minut.
My Lord, my Lord.

Omnes.
Your pardon noble Captaine.

Virg.
Well, you are the Generall, and the fault is quit,
a souldiers teares, an elder brothers wit
have little sale in them, nor doe they season
things worth observing, for their want of reason.
Take up your armes and use them, doe I pray,
ere long youle take your legs to run away.

Minut.
And what supply from Rome?

Virg.
Good store of corne.

Minut.
What entertainment there?

Virg.
Most honourable,
especially by the Lord Appius.
There is great hope that Appius will grow
the souldiers patron: with what vehemency
he urg'd our wants, and with what expedition
he hasted the supplies, it is almost
incredible. There's promis'd to the souldier
besides their corne a bounteous donative;
(A shout:
but 'tis not certaine yet when't shall be paid.

Minut.
How for your owne particular?

Virg.
My Lord,
I was not enter'd fully two pikes length
into the Senate, but they all stood bare,
and each man offer'd me his seat: The businesse
for which I went dispatcht, what guifts, what favours
were done me, your good Lordship shall not hear,
for you would wonder at them, onely this,
'twould make a man fight up to'th'neck in blood,
to think how nobly he shall be received
when he returnes to'th'City.

Minut.
'Tis well,
give order the provision be divided
and sent to every quarter.

Virg.
Sir, it shall.
Thus men must slight their wrongs, or else conceal them,
when generall safety wills us not reveale them.

Exeunt.
Enter two Petitioners at one doore, at the other M. Clodius.
1. Petit.
Pray is your Lord at leasure?

M. Clodius.
What is your suite?

1. Pet.
To accept this poore Petition which makes knowne,
my many wrongs in which I crave his Justice,
and upright sentence to support my cause,
which else is trod downe by oppression.

M. Clodius.
My Lords hand is the prop of Innocence,
and if your cause be worthy his supportance
it cannot fall.

1. Petitioner.
The gods of Rome protect him.

Clodius.
What, is your paper too petitionary?

2. Petit.
It leanes upon the Justice of the Judge,
your noble Lord, the very stay of Rome.

Clodius.
And surer basis, for a poore mans cause,
she cannot yeeld. Your papers I'le deliver,
and when my Lord ascends the Judgement seate,
you shall find gracious comfort.

Enter Icilius troubled.
Icilius.
Where's your Lord?

Clodius.
Icilius? faire Virginia's late betroth'd?

Icilius.
Your eares, I hope, you have not forfeited,
that you returne no answer. Where's your Lord?

Clodius.
At's studie.

Icilius.
I desire admittance to him.

Clodius.
Please you attend, I'le know his Lordships pleasure.
Icilius? I pray heaven she have not blab'd.

Icilius.
Attend? a petty Lawyer t'other day.
glad of a fee, but cal'd to eminent place,
even to his betters, now the word's, Attend.
This gowned office, what a breadth it bears?
how many tempests waite upon his frowne?

Enter Clodius.
Clodius.
All the petitioners withdraw. L. Appius
must have this place more private, as a favour
reserv'd for you, Icilius. Here's my Lord.

Enter Appius with Lictors afore him.
Appius.
Be gone, this place is only spar'd for us,
and you Icilius. Now your business.

Icil.
May I speak it freely?

App.
We have suffering ears,
A heart the softest downe may penetrate.
Proceed.

Icil.
My Lord.

App.
We are private, Pray your courtesie.

Icil.
My duty.

App.
Leave that to th'publick eye
of Rome, and of Romes people. Clodius there.

Clod.
My Lord.

App.
Place me a second Chaire; that done,
remove your self. So now, your absence Clodius.
Icilius sit, this grace we make not common
unto the noblest Romane, but to you
our love affords it freely. Now your suit?

Icil.
It is, you would be kind unto the Camp.

App.
Wherein, Icilius, doth the Camp touch thee?

Icil.
Thus: Old Virginius, now my father in Law,
kept from the publick pay, consumes himself,
sels his Revenues, turnes his plate to coyn,
to wage his souldiers, and supply the Camp,
wasting that useful substance which indeed
should rise to me, as my Virginia's Dowry.

App.
We meet that opposition thus Icilius.
The Camps supplies doth not consist in us,
but those that keep the common Treasury;
speak or intreat we may, but not command.
But Sir, I wonder, you so brave a Youth,
son to a thrifty Romane, should ally you,
and knit your strong armes to such falling branches;
which rather in their ruine will bear down
your strength, then you support their rottenness.
Be swayed by me, fly from that ruinous house
whose fall may crush you; and contract with mine,
whose bases are of Marble, deeply fixt
to mauger all gusts and impending stormes.
Cast off that beggars daughter, poor Virginia,
whose dowry and beauty, I'l see trebled both,
in one ally'd to me. Smile you Icilius?

Icil.
My Lord, my Lord, think you, I can imagine
your close and sparing hand can be profuse
to give that man a Palace, whom you late
deny'd a cottage? Will you from your own coffers
grant me a treble Dowry, yet interpose me
a poor third from the common Treasury?
You must move me by possibilities,
for I have brains; give first your hand and Seal,
that old Virginius shall receive his pay
both for himself and souldiers, and that done,
I shall perhaps be soon induc'd to think,
that you who with such willingness did that—

App.
Is my Love mispriz'd?

Icil.
Not to Virginia.

App.
Virginia?

Icil.
Yes Virginia, Lustful Lord.
I did but trace your cunning all this while.
You would bestow me on some Appian Trull,
and for that dross to cheat me of my Gold;
for this the Camp pines, and the City smarts.
All Rome fares worse for thy incontinence.

App.
Mine boy?

Icil.
Thine Judg. This hand hath intercepted
thy Letters, and perus'd thy tempting guests,
these ears have beard thy amorous passions, wretch,
these eyes beheld thy treacherous name subscrib'd.
A Judg, a Divel.

App.
Come I'l hear no more.

Icil.
Sit still, or by the powerful Gods of Rome
I'l hail thee to the Chair. But suffer me,
I'l offend nothing but thine ears.

App.
Our Secretary.

Icil.
Tempt not a Lovers fury, if thou dost
now by my vow, insculpt in heaven, I'l send thee.—

App.
You see I am patient.

Icil.
But withal revengeless.

App.
So, say on.

Icil.
Hope not of any grace, or the least favour,
I am so covetous of Virginia's love,
I cannot spare thee the least look, glance, touch,
Divide one bare imaginary thought
into a thousand, thousand parts, and that
I'l not afford thee.

App.
Thou shalt not.

Icil.
Nay, I will not.
Hadst thou a Judges place above those Judges
that judg all souls, having power to sentence me,
I would not bribe thee, no not with one hair
from her fair temples.

App.
Thou shouldst not.

Icil.
Nay, I would not.
Think not her Beauty shall have leave to crown
thy lustfull hopes with the least spark of blisse,
or have thine ears charm'd with the ravishing sound
even of her harshest phrase.

App.
I will not.

Icil.
Nay, thou shalt not.
Shee's mine, my soul is crownd in her desire,
to her I'ld travell through a land of fire.

App.
Now have you done?

Icil.
I have spoke my thoughts.

App.
Then will thy fury give me leave to speak?

Icil.
I pray say on.

App.
Icilius, I must chide you, and withall
tell you, your rashnesse hath made forfeiture
even of your precious life, which wee esteeme
too deer to call in question. If I wisht you
of my allyance, graft into my blood,
condemn you me for that? Oh see the rashnesse
and blind misprision of distempred youth!
As for the Maid Virginia, wee are far
even in least thought from her; and for those Letters,
Tokens and Presents, wee acknowledg none.
Alas, though great in place, wee are not gods.
If any false impostor hath usurpt
our hand or greatnesse in his own behoof,
can wee help that? Icilius, there's our hand,
your rashnesse we remit; let's have hereafter
your love and best opinion. For your suit;
repair to us at both our better leisures,
wee'l breathe in it new life.

Icil.
I crave your pardon.

App.
Granted ere crav'd, my good Icilius.

Icil.
—Morrow.

App.
It is no more indeed. Morrow Icilius.
If any of our servants wait without,
command them in.

Icil.
I shall.

App.
Our Secretary,
we have use for him. Icilius, send him hither.
Again good morrow.
Exit Icilius.
Go to thy death, thy life is doom'd and cast.
Appius be circumspect, and be not rash
in blood as th'art in lust: Be murderous stil,
but when thou strik'st, with unseen weapons kill.

Enter Clodius.
Clod.
My Honourable Lord.

Appius.
Deride me, dog?

Clod.
Who hath stirr'd up this tempest in your brow?

App.
Not you? Fie, you?

Clod.
All you Panthean Gods,
confound me, if my soul be accessary
to your distractions.

Appius.
To send a ruffian hither,
even to my closet, first, to brave my Greatness,
play with my beard, revile me, taunt me, hisse me;
nay after all these deep disparagements,
threat me with steel, and menace me unarm'd,
to nail me to my seat, if I but mov'd:
all these are slight, slight toyes.

Clod.
Icilius do this?

App.
Ruffian Icilius, he that in the front
of a smooth Citizen, bears the rugged soul
of a most base Bandetto.

Clod.
He shall die for't.

App.
Be not too rash.

Clo.
Were there no more men to support great Rome,
even falling Rome should perish, ere he stand:
I'l after him, and kill him.

App.
Stay, I charge thee.
Lend me a patient ear; To right our wrongs,
we must not menace with a publick hand;
we stand in the worlds eye, and shall be taxt
of the least violence, where we revenge:
We should smile smoothest where our hate's most deep,
and when our spleen's broad waking, seem to sleep.
Let the young man play still upon the bit,
till we have brought and train'd him to our lure;
Great men should strike but once, and then strike sure.

Clod.
Love you Virginia still?

App.
Do I still live?

Clod.
Then she's your own. Virginius is, you say,
still in the Camp.

App.
True.

Clod.
Now in his absence will I claim Virginia
to be the daughter of a bond woman,
and slave to me; to prove which, I'l produce
firme proofs, notes probable, sound Witnesses;
then having with your Lictors summond her,
I'l bring the cause before your Judgement Seat,
where, upon my infallid evidence,
you may pronounce the sentence on my side,
and she become your Strumpet not your Bride.

App.
Thou hast a copius brain, but how in this
shall we dispose Icilius?

Clod.
If he spurne
clap him up close, there's wayes to charm his spleen.
By this no scandal can redound to you;
the Cause is mine; you but the Sentencer
upon that evidence which I shall bring.
The business is, to 'ave Warrants by Arrest.
to answer such things at the Judgment Bar
as can be laid against her; Ere her friends
can be assembled, ere her self can study
her answer or scarce know her cause of summons
to descant on the matter, Appius may
examine, try, and doom Virginia.
But all this must be sudden.

App.
Thou art born
to mount me high above Icilius scorn.
I'l leave it to thy manage.

Exeunt.