University of Virginia Library

SCEN. 6.

Rhodon, Anthophotus, Acanthus.
Rho.
Deserving friends and fellow souldiers,
Now arme your selves with Romane fortitude:
First call to minde the justice of our cause,
And then let each remember that true honour,
Which must be valu'd above health and life:
Consider also that we must contend,
Against a tyrant and a meere usurper;
A person guilty of no meane offences,
Which must be justly punish'd by our swords.

Enter Poneria, Agnostus.
Po.
Thrice noble Rhodon, in whose noble brest
True pitty dwels, vouchsafe a pardon
To us distressed Caitives.

Rho.
I neither know what your offences are, nor yet your selves.

Po.
I am the unfortunate Poneria,
That was suborn'd by unjust Martagon
To worke thy utter ruine:
I did conduct the love-sicke Eglantine
Unto thy presence instead of Iris:
I caus'd her to give thee a poysonous drinke,
Under the pretence that it was a love-potion.
I have deserv'd to dye, and crave life at your hands.

Rho.
And are you the grand incendiary
That have so many mischiefes wrought in Thessaly?
Now I remember I have seen your elvish countenance,
Nor have I altogether forgot your reverent mate,
Who with his personated gravity deludes the world,
Being accounted a man of profound art.
Acanthus, see them committed to safe custody,
See you make them sure for starting.

Po.
Nay worthy sir.

Ac.
You must away, for no entreaties can prevaile.

Exeunt Po. Ag. Ac.
Rho.
The apprehension of these wretches doth presage
Auspicious fortunes to our actions;
Drum beats a march within.
List, list, Anthophotus, our enemies are at hand,
Their thundring drums warne us of their approach.

[An.]
Wee'le bid them noble welcome then: this day will I
Victorious be (I vow) or bravely dye.

Rho.
Thy honour'd resolution I commend,
And take it for a signe of good successe.

Enter Acan.
Ac.
Arme, arme: the hostile forces are in sight,
And thus come marching on in proud array:
The Battaile's led by Martagon himselfe,
Wherein are marshal'd neere five thousand Bill men,
All clad in coats of red:
A furious Amazon cald Tulipa,
Brings on three thousand burley Swissers,
Arai'd in gorgeous Coats of red and yellow;
And these make up the vanne:
To which are added for a forlorne hope,
Two hundred melancholy Gentlemen,
The fierce Cynosbatus brings up the Rere,
Wherein about two thousand souldiers be
Clad all in greene, and arm'd with pikes of steele.
Narcissus with a thousand Daffadils,
Clad in deepe yellow coats doth flanke
The right side of the battaile.
The left wing is by Hyacinthus led,
Wherein a thousand Souldiers march,
Arraid in purple coats.

Enter Martagon, Rhodon.
Ma.
What fury tempted thee unhappy Rhodon,
In hostile manner thus to invade my confines.

Rho.
For Violettas sake I tooke up armes,
Whom thou unjustly hast opprest.

Musicke sound.
Ma.
What I have done my sword shall justifie.

Rho.
Whence comes this most harmonious melody.

Enter Flora, Iris, Eglantine, Panace.
Flo.
Put up these murdring blades on paine of my displeasure,
Confine them to perpetuall prison in the scabbard,
That they may nere come forth to manage civill broiles.

All.
We must obey, and will, Oh awfull goddesse.

Flo.
While in my flowry bowers I tooke repose,
I heard the noyse of these tumultuous broiles,
Which strooke me with a wonderfull amazement.
Then hastily I left my bankes of pleasure,
And hither came to end these mortall jarres;
Therefore I charge you both on that allegance
And respect which you doe owe to me,
Quite to dismisse your armed bands.
And you Martagon, who have faire Violetta wrong'd,
To her shall make an ample restitution,
Of what y'have tane from her;
And entertaine a friendly league with Rhodon,
Which you Cynosbatus must also condescend to:
But as for you fond Madam Eglantine,
Since you have broke the sacred lawes of love,
And by unlawfull meanes sought to accomplish
Your designes, and make the Shepheard Rhodon
Enamor'd on you:
You to a vestall Temple shall be confin'd,
Where with ten yeeres pennance
You shall expiate your folly.
But where be those two intruders
Poneria and Agnostus.
These that have crept in among us, and with false flights
Sought to ore-throw our state.
Poneria and Agnostus brought.
We banish them quite
Out of Thessaly for ever.
What I have decreed you must assent unto.

Ma.
We doe, because we must.

Flo.
Rhodon, I here bestow on thee this noble shepherdesse.

Rho.
Thanks for your precious gift, renowned Queen.

Flo.
And now since all things are reduc'd to joyfull peace,
Let us betake our selves to sweet delights,
And solemnize with mirth your nuptiall rites.