The Tragedy of The unhappy Fair Irene | ||
1
Actûs primi
Scena prima.
Enter Souldiers, as from the Sacking of Constantinople; one with a Bagg of Silver.1.
Here Lads, here's that that subjects Crownes,
And Ladies to our Lure.
2.
I wonder that Constantinople,
Abounding in such Charmes,
Infatuated not our Turkish pride.
3.
It was with them, as Stomachs clog'd with Food,
That priz'd not in their Bulcking State:
1.
I marry Sir,
Their Stomachs clogd, hath sent Repletion to the Brain
That to our good hath lul'd them in security.
2.
Did you not see how all too late, they shak't their heads,
And with their idle fingers,
From their Eye-lids, would have brusht the sleep.
3.
Shak't it, and brush't it quoth:
By mass, but if they use it thus,
They'l soon wax thread-bare.
1.
Come hold, youl shake and brush so long
That wee'l be shak'd behinde our lawrel'd-army.
[Exeunt Omnes.
2
Scena secunda.
Enter a Souldier, with a captive Lady as a part.Sold.
Lady, you'l here my prisoner,
And If you'l let me lord it but a while
In spoyl of your Virginity, You shall for ever be my Conqueror.
Lad.
Oh Friend, do you conceive that in this hugie storm of woe,
When sorrows, like the groaning waves,
Whipt with a spouting Hirricano, Ride posting on the neck of other,
To the deafned shore.
Rush in this narrow Concave of my Breast,
That there is room to lodge a thought of pleasure; Oh! No, no.
Sold.
Madam, your future state depends not on that is past already,
Constantinople it self doth yet remain,
Although your friends, that in it liv'd
Are, by our conquering swords sent to declare our valour to the dead:
And if you will subscribe to my desires,
I'le be a means to invest you in that State
That you's acquire greater and nobler Friends.
Enter a Captain, as to them.
Lad.
What hath the slaughtered Ghost of some dear friend
Survei'd your noble Actions in the town;
And in requital sent you here, to act a deed of worth,
And reap the prayers of a perplexed maid.
Cap.
Oh Madam! How high will our victorious Prince
Judge of his Victory?
When with the great Imperial of the East
He hath a Jem that makes a foyl of Nature:
And what art thou that with thy misty breath
Damps this bright Sun?
Lad.
Oh! noble Sir:
Did you but know the foul contagion he hath breath'd,
And how his Lungs hath wrought,
To increase the raging sea of my affliction,
No woman groan'd at your Nativity,
If that you be not glad at my deliverance.
Sold.
The wages of my toyl, the cordial of my
Scattered bloud spilt in the Enterprize;
And would you thus be reave me?
Then never more shall this my sword
In field cut titles for the god of War:
When as my fainting spirits did require
A whiles repose within her quickning breast,
She did deny, and falsly rates me thus.
Cap.
Villain, but that my spirits all
Are charm'd with noble pity to this maid;
And passion, stifl'd in remorse,
Lies swounding for a while:
3
That all might shun thee.
Lad.
'Tis strange Revenge is acted upon me,
That I in courtesie must be constrain'd
To love my loathed Enemy.
Cap.
Madam, Be pleased to walk, and see your self deceiv'd.
Lad.
I would I could.
Exeunt.
Scena tertia.
Enter Mahomet the Turk with Drum and Colours, as into Hadrianople: Then enter Citizens, as to meet the Emperour.1
Welcome great Prince,
Me thinks thy restless bloud,
Like the disheveld burning locks of Phœbus,
When he careers the circuit of the Heavens,
Darts forth such Rayes of burning spirit
That crackles the world in astonishment.
Mah.
Friends, Who's lost a man in this successful War,
Amongst these pampered Broods; By our command
Let him take three for one;
Let their inslaved lives pay satisfaction for our bloud.
All.
All thanks to our deserving Prince.
Mah.
Great is the business that's in hand;
Therefore let's about it.
All.
A gracious Prince.
Exeunt Mahomet, and the Bashaws, & exeunt omnes.
The Tragedy of The unhappy Fair Irene | ||