University of Virginia Library

Actus secundi,

Scœna prima.

Enter Homer.
Homer.
What cannot womens wits? they wonders can
When they intend to blinde the eyes of man.
Oh lend me what old Homer wants, your eyes,
To see th'euent of what these Queenes deuise.
The doombe shew, sound.
Enter the Nurse and Clowne, shee sweares him to secresie, and to him deliuers the child and a letter to the daughters of King Melliseus they part. Enter at one doore Saturne melancholy, with his Lords: at the other Vesta, & the Nurse who with counterfeit passion present the King a bleeding heart vpon a kniues point, and a bowle of bloud. The King departs one way in great sorrow, the Ladies the other way in great ioy.
This past so currant, that the third sonne borne,
Cal'd Neptune, was by like deuise preseru'd,
And sent to Athens, where he liu'd vnknowne,
And had in time command vpon the seas.
Pluto the yongest was sent to Tartary,
Where he in processe a strange City built
And cald it Hell, his subiects for their rapine,
Their spoils and theft, are Diuels tearm'd abrode.
Thus melancholy Saturne hath suruiuing
Three Noble sonnes in seuerall confines plac'd
And yet himselfe thinks sonne-lesse: one faire daughter
Hight Iuno is his sole delight on earth.
Thinke kinde spectators seuenteene sommers past,
Till these be growne to yeares, and Iupiter
Found in a caue by the great Epyre King,
(where by his daughters he before was hid.)
Of him and of his fortunes we proceed,
My iournie's long, and I my eye-sight want.
Courteous spectators, lest blind Homer stray,
Lend me your hands to guide me on your way.

Enter Lycaon with his Lords, Iupiter with other Lords of Epyre.
Lycaon.
After long warre, and tedious differences,
Betwixt King Melliseus and our selfe,
What craue the Epyre Lords?

Iupiter.
This King Lycaon,
Since truce and hostage hath tane vp these broiles,
And ended them in peacefull amity,
Since all the damadge by the Epyrians done,
Is on our part aboundantly made good:
We come Lycaon to demand the like
Of thee and of thy Kingdome, and for proofe,
That all our malice is extinct and dead,
We bring thy hostage backe, demanding ours.

Lycaon.
Receiue him Lords, a Banquet instantly,
You shall this day braue Epyre feast with vs,
And to your boord your hostage shall be brought,
There to receiue him freely, meane time sit,
And taste the royall welcomes of our Court.

Iup.
Lycaon's iust in keeping these conditions
So strictly with a reconciled foe.

Lyc.
But faire prince, tell me whence you are deriu'd,
I neuer heard King Melliseus had
A Prince of your perfections?

Iupiter.
This demand
Startles my bloud, being borne I know not where,
Yet that I am of gentry at the least,
My Spirtt prompts me, and my noble thoughts
Giue me approued warrant, being an infant
Two beauteous Ladyes found me in a caue,
Where from their voluntary charity,
Bees fed me with their hony, for that cause
The two bright Ladies cal'd me Iupiter,
And to their Father Melliseus brought me,
My Foster-father, who hath train'd my youth,
In feats of Armes, and military prowesse,
And as an instance of his deerest loue,
Hath honor'd me with this late Embassy.

A banquet brought in, with the limbes of a Man in the seruice.
Lyca.
We are satisfi'd: Princes sit round and feast,
You are this day Lycaons welcom'st guest.

Iup.
This meat distasts me, doth Lycaon feast vs
Like Caniballes? feed vs with humane flesh?
Whence is this portent?

Lycan.
Feede Epyrians, eate,
Lycaon feasts you with no common meate.

Iup.
But wher's the Epyre Lord we left as hostage?

Lyca.
Behold him here, hee's at the table with you,
This is the Epyres head, and these his limbes,
Thinkes Melliseus that Lycaon can
(Discended of the valiant Tytanoys)
Bury his hatred, and intoombe his spleene
Without reuenge? bloud in these warres was shed,
And for that bloud your hostage lost his head.

Iup.
Beare wrong that list, & those can brooke it best,
I was not borne to suffrance: thoughts mount hye,
A King hath wrong'd me, and a King shall dye.

Lycaon.
Treason, treason.

Iup.
Downe with the tyrant, and that hatefull crue,
And in their murdrous breasts your blades imbrue.

Lycaon.
Our guard.

A confused fray, an alarme.
Iupiter and the Epyriens beat off Lycaon and his followers.
Iup.
Lycaon's fled, make good the pallace gates,
And to th'amazed Citie beare these limbs,
So basely by the tyrant massacred.
Happly his subiects by our words prepar'd
May shake their bondage off, and make this warre,
The happy meanes to rid a tyrant thence.
Beare in your left hands these dis-membred limbes,
And in your right your swords, with which make way,
Courage braue Epyres, and a glorious day,

Exeunt.
Alarm, Lycaon makes head againe, and is beat off by Iupiter and the Epirians, Iupiter ceazeth the roome of Lycaon.
Iup.
Lycaon's once more fled, we by the helpe
Of these his people, haue confin'd him hence,
To whom belongs this Crowne?

1. Lord.
To Iupiter.

2. Lor.
None shall protect our liues, but Iupiter.

All.
A Iupiter, A Iupiter.

Iup.
Nay we are farre from such ambition, Lords,
Nor will we entertaine such royalty.

1. Lor.
Faire Prince, whō heauen hath sent by miracle,
To saue vs from the bloudyest tyrannies,
That ere were practis'd by a mortall prince,
We tender thee our fortunes: oh vouchsafe
To be our Lord, our Gouernour, and King,
Since all thy people ioyntly haue agreed,
None of that tyrants issue shall succed.

All.
A Iupiter, A Iupiter.

Iup.
We not refuse the bounty of the Heauens
Exprest in these your voyces; we accept
Your patronage, and 'gainst Lycaons tyrannyes
Henceforth protect you: but our conquest yet
Is all vncertaine, second vs deere subiects,
To assure our conquests: first we must prouide
Our safty, ere attempt the helme to guide.

Exeunt.
Alarme. Enter Calisto.
Cal.
What meane these horrid & these shrill alarmes
That fright the peacefull Court with hostle cryes?
Feare and amazement hurry through each chamber;
Th'affrighted Ladies light the darkest roomes
With their bright beauties: whence (ô whence ye Gods)
Are all yon grones, cryes, and inhumane sownds
Of bloud and death: Licaon, where is he?
Why in this dire and sad astonishment
Appeares not he to comfort my sad feares,
And cheere me in this dull distemprature?

Enter in a hurrie with weapons drawne, Iupiter and his souldiers.
Iup.
The Iron bar'd dores, & the suspected vaults,
The Barricadoed gates, and euery roome,
That boasted of his strength, is forc'd to obey
To our free entrance: nothing can withstand
Our opposite fury. Come, let's ransacke further,
But stay, what strange deiected beauty's this
That on the sodaine hath surpris'd my heart,
And made me sicke with passion?

Calisto.
Hence away,
When we command, who dares presume to stay?

Iup.
Bright Lady.

Cal.
You afright me with your steele.

Iup.
These weapons Lady come to grace your beautie
And these my armes shall be your sanctuary
From all offensiue danger: cheere your sorrow,
Let your bright beauty shoote out of this cloud,
To search my heart, as it hath daz'd my eyes.
Are you a Queene enthron'd aboue the Elements,
Made of diuine composure, or of earth,
Which I can scarce beleeue?

Calist.
I am my selfe,
Vnciuill stranger, you are much to rude,
Into my priuate chamber to intrude:
Go call the King my father.

Iup.
Are you then
Lycaons daughter? (wonder without end,
That from a Fiend an Angell should descend.)
Oh Loue, till now I neuer felt thy dart:
But now her painted eye hath pierc'd my heart.
Faire, can you loue?

Calisto.
To be alone I can.

Iup.
Women, faire Queene, are nothing without men:
You are but cyphers, empty roomes to fill,
And till mens figures come, vncounted still.
Shall I sweet Lady, adde vnto your grace,
And but for number-sake supply that place.

Cal.
You'r one too many, and of all the rest,
That beare mens figure, we can spare you best.
What are you sir?

Iup.
We are Pelasge's King,
And these our subiects.

Calisto.
These did of late belong
To King Lycaon (Oh iniurious wrong)

Iup.
Oh sute your pitty with your Angell-beauty,
And liue Pelasge's Queene.

Calisto.
Giue me a funerall garland to lament,
That best becomes my wretched discontent.

Iup.
The sun-shine of my smiles and iocond loue,
Shall from your browes bright azure Elements,
Disperse all clouds: behold my crowne is yours.
My sword, my conquest, I am of my selfe,
Nothing without your soft compassionate loue:
For proofe, aske what the heauen, earth, aire, or sea
Can yeeld to men by power or orison,
And it is yours.

Cal.
Sir, I shall proue your loue.

Iup.
Pray vse me Lady.

Cal.
You'l grant it me my Lord.

Iup.
By all my honours and by all the sweets
I hope for in your loue, fruition,
Your wil's your owne.

Cal.
You'l not reuoke your word?

Iup.
Bee't to inuest whom I did late degrade,
I'le doo't for you, bright and diuinest maid.

Cal.
This onely freedome to your captiue giue
That I a Nunne and profest maid may liue.

Iup.
More cruell then the tyrant that begat thee,
Hadst thou ask't loue, gold, seruice, Empiry,
This sword had purchast for Calisto all.
Oh most vnkinde, in all this vniuerse,
Ther's but one iewell that I value hye,
And that (vnkinde) you will notlet me buy:
To liue a maid, what ist? 'tis to liue nothing:
'Tis like a couetous man to hoord vp treasure,
Bar'd from your owne vse, and from others pleasure.
Oh thinke faire creature, that you had a mother,
One that bore you, that you might beare another:
Be you as she was, of an Infant glad,
Since you from her, haue all things that she had.
Should all affect the strict life you desire,
The world it selfe should end when we expire
Posterity is all, heauens number fill,
Which by your helpe may be increased still,
What is it when you loose your mayden-head,
But make your beauty liue when you be dead
In your faire issue?

Cal.
Tush, 'tis all in vaine,
Dian I am now a seruant of thy traine.

Iup.
Her order is meere heresie, her sect
A schisme, 'mongst maids not worthy your respect.
Men were got to get; you borne others to beare:
Wrong not the world so much: (nay sweet your eare)
This flower will wither, not being cropt in time,
Age is too late, then do not loose your prime.
Sport whil'st you may, before your youth be past.
Loose not this mowld that may such faire ones cast,
Leaue to the world your like for face and stature,
That the next age may praise your gifts of nature.
Calisto if you still grow thus precise,
In your strict vow, succeding beautie dies.

Cal.
I claime your oath, all loue with men adue,
Dianae's Cloyster I will next pursue.
Exit Calisto

Iup.
And there all beauty shall be kept in iaile,
Which with my sword: Ey with my life I'd baile:
What's that Diana?

2. Lor.
She is the daughter of an ancient King,
That swaid the Atticke scepter, who being tempted
By many suiters, first began this vow:
And leauing Court betooke her to the forrests.
Her beauteous traine are virgins of best ranke,
Daughters of Kings, and Princes, all deuoted
To abandon men, and chuse virginity.
All these being first to her strict orders sworne,
Acknowledge her their Queene and Empresse.

Iup.
By all my hopes Calistoe's loue to gaine,
I'd wish my selfe one of Dianae's traine.

1. Lord.
Concerning your state businesse.

Iupiter.
Well remembred.
Posts of these newes shall be to Epyre sent,
Of vs, and of our new establishment.
Next for Calisto, (but of that no more.)
We must take firme possession of this state,
Our sword hath wonne, Licaon lost so late.

Exeunt.
Enter with musicke (before Diana) sixe Satires, after them all their Nimphs, garlands on their heads, and iauelings in their hands, their Bowes and Quiuers: the Satyrs sing.

Diana.
These sports, our Fawnes, our Satyrs and our selues;
Make (faire Calisto) for your entertaine:
Pan the great God of Shepheards, and the Nymphes
Of Meades and Fountaines, that inhabite here,
All giue you welcome, with their Rurall sports,
Glad to behold a Princesse of your birth
A happy Citizen of these Meades and Groues.
These Satyrs are our neighbours, and liue here,
With whom we haue confirm'd a friendly league
And dwell in peace. Here is no City-craft.
Here's no Court-flattery simplenesse and sooth
The harmelesse Chace, and strict Virginity
Is all our practise. You haue read our orders,
And you haue sworne to keepe them,
Faire Calisto.
Speake, how esteeme you them?

Calisto.
With reuerence.
Great Queene, I am sequestred from the world,
Euen in my soule hate mans society,
And all their lusts, suggestions, all Court-pleasures,
And City-curiosities are vaine,
And with my finer temper ill agree,
That now haue vow'd sacred verginity.

Dian.
We will not of your sorrowes make recitall
So lately suffred by the hand of chance.
We are from the world, & the blind Goddesse Fortune
We dare to do her worst, as liuing here
Out of her reach: Vs, she of force must spare,
They can loose nothing, that for nothing care.

Cal.
Madam, deuotion drew me to your seruice,
And I am now your hand-maid.

Dian.
Wher's Atlanta?

Atlanta.
Madame.

Dian.
Is there no princesse in our traine,
As yet vnmatch'd to be her Cabin-fellow,
And sleepe by her?

Atlanta.
Madam, we all are cuppled
And twin'd in loue, and hardly is there any
That will be wonne to change her bed-fellow.

Dian.
You must be single till the next arriue,
She that is next admitted of our traine,
Must be her bed-companion, so tis lotted.
Come Fawns, and Nymphs, and Satyres, girt vs rownd
Whilst we ascend our state, and here proclaime
A generall hunting in Dianaes name.

Enter Iupiter like a Nimph, or a Virago.
Iupiter.

There I strid too wide. That step was too large for
one that professeth the straight order: what a pittifull coyle

shall I haue to counterfeit this woman, to lispe (forsooth) to
simper and set my face like a sweet Gentlewomans made out of
ginger-bread? shall I venter or no? My face I feare not: for my
beard being in the nonage durst neuer yet looke a Barber in the
face. And for my complexion, I haue knowne as browne Lasses
as my selfe haue gone for currant. And for my stature, I am not
yet of that Giant size, but I may passe for a bona Roba, a Rounceual
a Virago, or a good manly Lasse. If they should put me to spinne,
or to sow, or any such Gentlewomanlike exercise, how should I
excuse my bringing vp? Tush, the hazzard is nothing, compared
with the value of the gaine. Could I manadge this businesse
with Art, I should come to a hundred pretty sights in a yeare,
as in the Sommer when we come to flea our smocks, &c. I hope
Diana doth not vse to search her maides before she entertaines
them. But howsoeuer

Be my losse certaine, and my profit none,
Tis for Calisto's loue, and I will on.

Dian.
Wee'l chase the Stagge, and with our Beagles shrill,
The neighbouring Forrests with lowd eccho's fill.

Iup.
Is this a heauen terrestriall that containes
So many earthly Angels? (O amazement)
Diana with these beauties circled round,
Pal'd in with these bright pales, beares more state,
Then Gods haue lent them by the power of fate.
I am destroyd,

Diana.
Soft, what intruder's that?
Command her hither.

Iup.
Haile diuinest Queene,
I come to do thee seruice.

Diana.
A manly Lasse, a stout Virago,
Were all our traine proportion'd to thy size,
We need not feare mens subtill trecheries.
Thy birth and fortunes?

Iup.
Madam, I deriue
My birth from noble and high parentage:
Respect of your rare beauty, with my loue
And zeale I still beare to a virgins life,
Haue drawne me to your seruice.

Diana.

Welcome Lady. Her largenesse pleaseth mee, if shee
haue courage proportion'd with her limbs, shee shall be Champion
to all our wronged Ladies. You Atlanta, present her oath,

Her oath is giuen on Dianaes bow
Atlan.
Madam you must be true
To bright Diana and her Virgin crew.

Iup.
To bright Diana and her traine I'l stand.

Diana.
What can you do?

(aside,
Iup.
More then the best here can.

Atlan.
You shall vow chastity:

Iup.
That's more then I can promise

(well proceed
Atlan.
You neuer shall with hated man attone,
But ly with woman or else ly alone.

Iup.
Make my oath strong, my protestation deep,
For this I vowe by all the Gods to keepe.

Atlan.
With Ladies you shall onely sport and play,
And in their fellowship spend night and day.

Iup.
I shall.

Atlan.
Consort with them at boord and bed,
And sweare no man shall haue your maiden-head.

Iup.
By all the powers both earthly and diuine,
If ere I loos't, a woman shall haue mine.

Diana.
Now your're ours, you'r welcome, kisse our hand,
You promise well, wee like you, and will grace you.
And if with our election your's agree.
Calisto here your bed-fellow shall be.

Iup.
You Gods your will eternize me to your choice,
Madam I seale both with my soule and voyce

Diana.
Then hand each other and acquaint your selfe
And now let vs proceed in the pursuite,
Of our determin'd pastimes, dedicate
To the entertainement of these beuteous maides.
Satyres and fawnes ring out your pleasing quire,
This done, our Bugles shall to heauen aspire.

Exeunt.
Hornes winded, a great noise of hunting, Enter Diana, all her Nimphes in the chase, Iupiter pulling Calisto back.
Diana.
Follow, pursue, the Stag hath tooke the Mountaine,
Come let vs climbe the steepe clifts after him,
Let through the aire your nimble iauelinges sing.
And our free spoyles home with the euening bring.

All.
Follow, follow, follow.

Winde hornes, enter the Satyrs as in the chase.
Sat.
The nimble Ladies haue out-stript vs quite,
Vnlesse we speede we shall not see him fall.
Wee are too slow in pursuite of our game;
Let's after tho; since they out-strip our eyes,
Runne by their noates, that from their Bugles rise.

Winde hornes. Enter Iupiter, and Calisto.
Cal.
Hast gentle Lady, we shall loose our traine,
And misse Dianai's pastime in the chase,
Hie then to staine our Iauelings guilded points
In bloud of yon swift Stag, so hot pursu'de.
Will you keepe pace with mee?

Iup.
I am tir'd already.
Nor haue I yet bene to these pastimes breath'd,
Sweet shall wee here repose our selues a little?

Cal.
And loose the honour to be first at fall?

Iup.
Feare not, you shall come time enough to fall.
Either you must be so vnkind to mee,
As leaue me to these deserts solitary,
Or stay till I haue rest, for I am breathles
And cannot hold it out, behold a place
Remote, an Arbor seated naturally,
Trim'd by the hand of nature for a bower,
Skreen'd by the shadowy leaues from the Suns eye.
Sweet will you sit, or on the verdure lye?

Cal.
Rather then leaue you, I will loose the sport

Iup.
I'le finde you pastime, feare not, Oh my Angell,
Whether wilt thou transport me, grant me measure.
Of ioy, be free, I surfet on this pleasure.

Cal.
Come shal's lye downe a little.

Iup.
South I will.
I thirst in seas and cannot quaffe my fill,
Behold before mee a rich Table spread.
And yet poore I am forc'd to starue for bread:
We be alone, the Ladyes farre in chace,
And may I dye an Eunuch by my vowe,
If bright Calisto you escape me now.
Sweet bed-fellow your hand, what haue I felt,
Vnlesse blancht snow, of substance not to melt?

Cal.
You gripe too hard.

Iup.
Good sooth I shall not rest
Vntill my head be pillowed on thy breast.

Cal.
Leane on me then.

Iup.
So shall I wrong mine eyes,
To leaue your face to looke vpon the skyes.
O how I loue the, come let's kisse and play.

Cal.
How?

Iup.
So a woman with a woman may.

Cal.
I do not like this kissing.

Iup.
Sweet sit still,
Lend me thy lippes, that I may taste my fill.

Cal.
You kisse too wantonly.

Iup.
Thy bosome lend
And by thy soft paps let my hand descend.

Cal.
Nay fye what meane you?

Iup.
Pre'the let me toy,
I would the Gods would shape thee to a boy,
Or me into a man.

Cal.
A man, how then?

Iup.
My sweet lye still, for we are farre from men,
Lye downe againe. Your foot I oft haue prais'd,
Ey and your legge: (nay let your skirt be rais'd)
I'le measure for the wager of a fall,
Who hath the greatest great, or smallest small.

Cal.
You are too wanton, and your hand too free.

Iup.
You need not blush to let a woman see.

Cal.
My barenesse I haue hid from sight of skyes,
Therefore may barre it any Ladyes eyes.

Iup.
Me thinks you should be fat, pray let me feele,

Cal.
Oh God you tickle me.

Iup.
Lend me your hand,
And freely taste me, note how I will stand,
I am not ticklish.

Cal.
Lord how you wooe,

Iup.
We maids may wish much, but can nothing do.

Cal.
I am weary of this toying.

Iup.
Oh but I
In this Elisium could both liue and dye.
I can forbeare no longer, though my rape
Be punisht with my head, she shall not scape.
Say sweet I were a man.

Cal.
Thus would I rise,
And fill the Dales and mountaines with my cryes.
A man! (Oh heauen) to gaine Elisiums blisse,
I'de not be sayd that I a man should kisse.
Come, lets go wound the Stagge.

Iup.
Stay ere you goe,
Here stands one ready that must strike a doe.
And thou art shee, I am Pelagius King,
That thus haue singled thee, mine thou shalt be.

Cal.
Gods, Angels, men, help all a maid to free.

Iup.
Maugre them all th'art mine.

Cal.
To do me right,
Helpe fingers, feet, nailes, teeth, and all to fight.

Iup.
Not they, nor all Dianae's Angell-traine,
He caries her away in his armes.
Were they in sight, this prize away should gaine.

Exit,