University of Virginia Library

THE SYRACUSIANS,

OR ADONIS FESTIVAL

Gorgo, Eunoa, Praxinoe, two strangers, an old Woman.
Gorgo.
Pray, is Praxinoe within?

Eunoa.
What, Dear
Gorgo! how great a stranger? yes, shee's here.

Prax.
I'th' name of wonder, what's the news with thee?
Fetch her a Stool and Cushion.

Gorgo.
Not for me.

Prax.
Nay sit.

Gorgo.
Well fare a stout heart yet: I thought
I scarce should er'e alive to thee have got
Through such a throng of men, and Coaches: All
The streets are set with Guards, and every stall
Crowded with gallants; and thou know'st beside
From hence to our house is no little stride.

Prax.
My Goodman Dotard (thank him) at th'worlds end
Hath found this hole for Me; lest any friend
Should e'r come at Me: Mischief on his Care
That's onely bent to cross me.

Gorgo.
Dear, beware
To talk thus 'fore the child: See how his eye
Is set upon thee!

Prax.
I, 'tis my good boy;
We speak not of thy Father.

Gorgo.
Now by'r Lady
The Child does understand—Dad's a fine Daddy.

Prax.
Well, this fine Dad, (for we in private may
Say what we please) being spoke to th'other day,
Ceruse and Merc'ry at the shops to buy,
Brings me home salt: this Dunce twelve Cubits high.

Gorgo.
Just so my Diocleides does; that Grave
Of money! Yesterday, a Crown he gave
For a few Dag-locks coarser than Doggs hair;
Five Sheep-skins too he bought: most precious ware!
But let that pass: come, make thee ready strait;
And let's to Court, to see them celebrate
Adonis Feast: the Queen intends (they say)
To make a gallant shew on't.

Prax.
Great ones may
Do great things: tell them this that nothing see.

Gorgo.
Faith, dress thee straight, and go along with me:
With loyterers t'is alwaies holiday.

Prax.
Fetch me some water hither, Eunoa:
D'ee hear, Joan Cleanly! high you, make more haste;
Quick; The Cat loves a Cushion: see how fast
She comes with it!—pour forth: not so much (Drone!)
Yee idle slut, why hast thou wet my gown?
Hold!—W'are e'en washt after a sort, as please
The Fates:—lock the great chest, and bring the keys.

Gorgo.
That gown does thee exceeding well become.
How much might the stuff cost thee from the Loom?

Prax.
I pray thee do not ask Me: 'bove one Pound
Or two, the weaving: but the yarn I found.

Gorgo.
Troth it does mighty well.

Prax.
And well y'have sed.
Reach me my Kirtle, wench; and help me spread
My scarf.—Child, you must stay at home: there's sprites
Where we are going, and a horse that bites.
Nay, cry (and th'woo't) as long as thou canst scream,
I care not: dost thou think I'le see thee lame?
Come,—take the boy, and play with him: d'ee hear!
Call the Dog in, and make the dore fast.—Dear
What a huge crowd's here! how shall we get by?
They swarm like Ants. O noble Ptolomy!
Many a good deed since thy Fathers daies
We ow thee thanks for. Free are now the waies
From Thieves and Murtherers: no Rogues flock together
To act their cheats now, like birds of a Feather.
But which way now? there's the Horse-guard before us.
Pray friend be fair condition'd; don't ride or'e us.
O, he curvets; 'tis a fierce horse that Bay;
Hee'l throw his Rider, let's get out o'th'way:
Run Eunoe:—I'm glad yet I have made
The boy keep home.

Gorgo.
Come, courage; ben't afraid:
They'r past us now.

Prax.
And so's my fright: good Lord!
A Horse and Snake are two things I've abhorr'd
Even from a child:—but haste, or else another
Shole will or'etake us.

Gorgo.
Come you from Court, Mother?

Old Woman.
Yes, my good Daughter.

Gorgo.
Pray, may one get in?

Old Woman.
The Greeks did Troy by their endeavours win:
Endeavour will do all things.

Gorgo.
Sli'd th'old Crone
Speaks Oracles. To woman what's unknown?
How Jove wood Juno they can tell. But see,
Before the Gate what store of company?

Prax.
A world! Gorgo, thy hand: Eutychides,
Lend Eunoa thine, least she be lost i'th' press.
Let's all crowd in together: Eunoe,
Be sure you keep your hold. Gorgo, Ah me!
My scarfe's rent quite in two: good Sir, for love
Of Heaven, help save my scarf there.

Stranger.
'Tis above
My power to do it: yet I'le do my best.

Prax.
They thrust like Swine: how vildely are we prest!

Stranger.
Come, come, w'are well now: take a good heart.

Prax.
May it be ever so with thee, that art
So kind to us: an honest civil man:
But O, they crowd as bad as e're again.
Help, help alas! thrust Eunoa for thy life.
So, now w'are in, as the man said to's wife.

Gorgo.
Come, look upon these Hangings first; so fair,
As if the handy work of Gods they were.

Prax.
Bless me! what Artist made them of so fine
A Woof? what Painter could so well design?
They seem to move: sure they're alive, not wrought:
Lord! Lord! the wit of man surpasses thought.
But see how lovely on a silver bed
(His tender cheeks with a soft down o'respread)
Adonis lies! how admirably fair!
With whom the powers of Hell enamour'd are.

2d. Stranger.
Peace, foolish tatling women; hold your prate:
Your wide mouth'd Dorick here is out of date.

Gorgo.
Gup: who art thou? what is our talk to thee?
Correct your maids, not us of Sicilie:
Yet (would you knew't) we are from Corinth sprung,
As was Bellerophon: our Mother Tongue
Peloponnesian is: nor is it scorn
That they speak Dorick, who are Dorick born.

Prax.
More Lords then one, Sir, we disclaim: so short!
Ye need not faith: here's those care little for't.

Gorgo.
Whist! whist Praxinoe! The Hymn let's hear:
This is the maid that did from Sperchis bear
The Prize. I know shee'l sing anon, she hums
Unto her self such sweet Præludiums.

The Hymn.

Gorgo.
O deer! what a rare woman's this? what choice
Of knowledge hath she? and how sweet a voice?
But go:—My husband's fasting still, and then
He eats his own Gall: Fear a hungry man.
Fare-well Adonis for this time; and when
The year's done, come, and make us glad agen.