The Silver Age Including The loue of Iupiter to Alcmena : The birth of Hercules. And The Rape of Proserpine. Concluding with the Arraignement of the Moone |
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 | 2. | Actus 2. |
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 | The Silver Age |  |
Actus 2.
Scœna. 1.
Homer.Alacke! earths ioyes are but short-liu'd, and last
But like a puffe of breath which (thus) is past.
Acrisius in his fortresse liues retir'd,
Kept with a strong guard: Perseus reignes sole King,
Who in himselfe one sad night long desir'd
To see his grand-sire some gladnewes to bring,
Whom the stearne warders (in the night) vnknowne,
Seeke to keepe backe, whence all his griefe is growne.
A dumbe shew. Enter 6 warders, “to them Perseus, Danaus, Bellerephon and Andromeda. Perseus takes his leaue of them to go towards the tower: the warders repulse him, he drawes his sword. In the tumult enter Acrisius to pacifie them, and in the hurly-burly is slaine by Perseus, who laments his death. To them Bellerephon and the rest: Perseus makes Bellerephon King of Arges, and with Danaus and Andromeda departs.
Homer.
Perseus repulst, the stardy Warder strikes,
Acrisius heares their clamours and their shrikes,
And downe descends this broyle to pacifie;
Not knowing whence it growes: and in this brall,
Acrisius by his grand-childes hand doth fall.
The Oracle's fulfil'd, hee's turn'd to stone,
That's to his marble graue, by Danaes sonne;
Which in the Prince breeds such lament and mone,
That longer there to reigne hee'l not be wonne:
But first Bellerephon he will inuest,
And after makes his trauels towards the East.
Of Iupiter now deifi'd and made
Supreme of all the Gods, we next proceed:
Your suppositions now must lend us ayd,
That he can all things (as a God indeed.)
Our sceane is Thebes: here faire Alcmena dwels,
Her husband in his warfare thriues abroad,
And by his chiualry his foes expels.
He absent, now descends th'Olimpicke God,
Innamored of Alcmena, and trans-shapes
Himselfe into her husband: Ganimed
He makes assistant in his amorous rapes,
Whil'st he preferres the earth 'fore Iunoes bed.
Lend vs your wonted patience without scorne,
To finde how Hercules was got and borne.
Enter Amphitrio with two Captaines and Socia with drum and colours: hee brings in the head of a crowned King, sweares the Lords to the obeysance of Thebes. They present him with a standing bowle, which hee lockes in a Casket, and sending his man with a letter before to his wife, with news of his victory. He with his followers, and Blepharo the maister of the ship, marcheth after.
Homer.
Creon that now reignes here, the Theban King,
Alcmenaes husband great Amphitrio made
His enimies head that did his land inuade.
Thinke him returning home, but sends before
By letters to acquaint his beauteous wife
Of his successe, himselfe in sight of shore
Must land this night: where many a doubtfull strife
Amongst them growes, but Ioue himselfe discends,
Cuts off my speech, and heere my Chorus ends.
Thunder and lightning. Iupiter discends in a cloude.
Iup.
Earth before heauen, we once more haue preferd:
Beauty that workes into the hearts of Gods:
As it hath power to mad the thoughts of men,
So euen in vs it hath attraction.
The faire Alcmena like the Sea-mans Starre
Shooting her glistering beauty vp to heauen,
Hath puld from thence the olimpick Iupiter
By vertue of thy raies, let Iuno skold,
And with her clamours fill the eares of heauen,
Let her bee like a Bachinall in rage,
And through our christall pallace breath exclaimes,
With her quicke feete the galaxia weare,
And with inquisitiue voice search through the Spheares.
Shee shall not find vs here, or should she see vs,
Can shee distinguish vs being thus transhapt?
Where's Ganimed? we sent him to suruey
Amphitrioes Pallace, where we meane to lodge
Enter Ganimed shapt like Socia.
In happy time return'd: now Socia.
Gani.
Indeed that's my name, as sure
As your's is Amphitrio.
Iup.
Three nights I haue put in one to take our fill
Of daliance with this beauteous Theban dame.
A powerfull charme is cast or'e Phœbus eies:
Who sleepes this night within the euxine sea,
And till the third day shall forget his charge
The Antipodes to vs, shall haue a day
Of three daies length. Now at this houre is fought
By Iosua Duke vnto the Hebrew Nation,
(Who are indeede the Antipodes to vs)
His famous battle 'gainst the Cananites,
And at his orison the Sunne stands still,
That he may haue there slaughter, Ganimed
Go knocke and get vs entrance.
Exit Iupiter.
Gani.
Before I knocke, let mee a little determine with
my selfe, If I be accessary to Iupiter in his amorous purpose, I
am little better then a parcell guilt baud, but must excuse my
selfe thus, Ganimed is now not Ganimed, And if this imputation
be put vpon mee, let it light vpon Socia, whom I am
now to personate; but I am too long in the Prologue of
this merry play we are to act, I will knocke, and the Seruingmen
shall enter.
1. Seruing.
Who knocks so late?
Gani.
Hee that must in, open for Socia,
Who brings you newes home of the Theban warres.
2. Ser.
Socia returned.
Enter 3. Seruingmen.
3. Ser.
Vnhurt, vnslaine?
Gani.
Euen as you see, and how, and how?
1. Ser.
Socia? let me haue an armefull of thee.
Gani.
Armefuls, and handfuls too, my boyes.
2. Ser.
The news, the news, how doth my Lord Amphitrio?
Gani.
Nay, how doth my Lady Alcmena, some of you
cary her word my Lord will be heere presently.
1. Ser.
I'le be the messenger of these glad newes.
2. Ser.
I'le haue a hand in't too.
3. Ser.
I'le not be last.
Exeunt Seruingmen.
Gani.
They are gone to informe their Lady, who will
bee ready to intertaine a counterfeite Lord, Iupiter is preparing
himselfe to meet Alcmena, Alcmena, she to encounter
Iupiter, her beauty hath inchanted him, his metamorphosis
must beguile her: al's put to proofe, I'le into furnish my Lord
whilst my fellow seruants attend their Lady: they come.
Alcm.
But are you sure you spake with Socia?
And did hee tell you of Amphitrioes health?
1. Ser.
Madam, I assure you, wee spake with Socia, and
my L. Amphitrio will be here instantly.
Alcm.
Vsher me in a costly banquet straight
To entertaine my Lord, let all the windowes
Glister with lights like starres, cast sweete perfumes
To breath to heauen their odoriferous aires,
And tell the Gods my husband's safe return'd,
If you be sure 'twas Socia.
2. Ser.
Madam take my life, if it be not true.
Alcm.
Then praise be to the highest Iupiter,
Whose powerfull arme gaue strength vnto my Lord
To worke his safety through these dangerous warres,
Hang with our richest workes our chambers round,
And let the roome wherein we rest to night,
Flow with no lesse delight, then Iuno's bed
When in her armes she claspeth Iupiter,
Iup.
I'le fill thy bed with more delighfull sweetes,
Then when with Mars the Ciprian Venus meetes.
Alcm.
See how you stir for odours, lights, choise cates,
Spices, and wines, is not Amphitrio comming
With honour from the warres? where's your attendance?
Sweete waters, costly ointments, pretious bathes,
Let me haue all, for tast, touch, smell, and fight,
All his fiue senses wee will feast this night.
Iup.
'Tis time to appeare, Alcmena:
Alcm.
My deere Lord.
Gani.
It workes, it workes, now for Iuno to set a
Skold betweene them.
A banquet brought in.
Alcm.
Oh may these armes that guarded Thebes and vs,
Be euer thus my girdle, that in them
A banquet, lights, attendance; good my Lord
Tell mee your warres discourse.
Iup.
Sit faire Alcmena.
Alcm.
Proceede my dearest loue.
Iup.
I as great Generall to the Theban King,
March't gainst the Teleboans: who make head
And offer vs encounter: both our Armies
Are cast in forme, well fronted, sleeeu'd and wing'd
Wee throw our vowes to heauen, the Trumpets sound,
The battels signall, now beginnes the incursions,
The earth beneath our armed burdens groanes,
Shootes from each side reuerberat gainst heauen,
With Arrowes and with Darts the aire growes darke
And now confusion ruffles, Heere the shoutes
Of Victors sound, there groanes of death are heard,
Slaughter on all sides; still our eminent hand
Towers in the aire a victor, whilst the enemy
Haue their despoyled helmets crown'd in dust.
Wee stand, they fall, yet still King Ptelera
Striues to make head, and with a fresh supply
Takes vp the mid-field: him Amphitrio fronts
With equall armes, wee the two Generals
Fight hand to hand, but Ioue omnipotent
Gaue me his life and head, which we to morrow
Must giue to King Creon.
Alcm.
All my orisons
Fought on your side, and with their powerfull weight,
Added vnto the ponder of your sword,
To make it heauy on the Burgonet
Of slaughtered Ptelera.
Iup.
I for my reward,
Had by the Subiects of that conquered King
A golden cup presented, the choice boule
In which the slaughtered Tyrant vs'd to quaffe.
Socia.
Gani.
My Lord.
Iup.
The cup, see faire Alcmena.
This cup Mercury stole out of Amphitrioes casket,
but al's one as long as it is truely deliuered.
Alcm.
In this rich boule I'le onely quaffe your health,
Or vse, when to the Gods I sacrifice.
Is our chamber ready?
Iup.
Gladly I'de to bed,
Where I will mix with kisses my discourse,
And tell the whole proiect.
Alcm.
Mirth abound,
Through all these golden roofes let musicke sound,
To charme my Lord to soft and downy rest.
Iup.
Come light vs to our sheetes.
Alcm.
Amphitrioes head
Shall heere be pillowed, light's then and to bed.
Exeunt with Torches.
Gani.
Alas poore Amphitrio I pitty thee that art to be made
cuckold against thy wiues will, she is honest in her worst dishonesty,
and chast in the superlatiue degree of inchastity:
but I am set heere to keepe the gate: now to my office.
Enter Socia with a letter.
Socia.
Heere's a night of nights, I thinke the Moone
stands stil and all the Stars are a sleepe, he that driues Charles
wayne is taking a nap in his cart, for they are all at a stand,
this night hath bene as long as two nights already, and I
thinke 'tis now entring on the third; I am glad yet that out
of this vtter darkenes I am come to see lights in my Ladies
Pallace: there will be simple newes for her when I shall tell
her my Lord is comming home.
Gani.
'Tis Socia and Amphitrioes man, sent before to
tell his Lady of her husband, I must preuent him.
Socia.
This night will neuer haue an end, he that hath hired
a wench to lie with him all this night, hath time enough I
thinke to take his peny worths, but I'le knocke.
Gan.
I charge thee not to knock here least thou be knocked.
Socia.
What not at my Maisters gate.
Gani.
I charge thee once more, tell mee whose thou art?
whether thou goest, and wherefore thou commest?
Hither I go, I serue my Maister, and come to speak
with my Lady, what art thou the wiser? nay, if thou beest a
good fellow let me passe by thee.
Gani.
Whom dost thou serue?
Socia.
I serue my Lord Amphitrio, and am sent in hast to
my Lady Alcmena.
Gani.
Thy name?
Socia.
Socia.
Gani.
Base counterfeit take that, can you not be content
to come sneaking to one's house in the night, to rob it, but
you must likewise rob me of my name?
Socia.
Thy name, why, what's thy name?
Gani.
Socia.
Socia.
Socia, and whom dost thou serue?
Gani.
My Lord Amphitrio chiefe of the Theban Legions,
and my Lady Alcmena, but what's that to thee?
Socia.
Ha, ha, That's a good iest, but do you heare, If you
be Socia my Lord Amphitrioes man, and my Lady Alcmenaes,
Where dost thou lie.
Gani,
Where do I lie? why in the Porters Lodge.
Socia.
You are deceiu'd, you lie in your throate, there's
but one Socia belongs to this house, and that am I.
Gani.
Lie slaue, and wilt out-face mee from my name?
I'le vse you like your selfe a counterfeit,
Beats him.
What art thou? speake?
Socia.
I cannot tell.
Gani.
Whom dost thou serue?
Socia.
The time.
Gani.
Thy name?
Socia.
Nothing.
Gani.
Thy businesse?
Socia.
To bee beaten.
Gani.
And what am I?
Socia.
What you will.
Gani.
Am not I Socia?
Socia.
If you be not, I would you were so, to be beaten
in my place.
Gani.
I knew my L. had no seruant of that name but me.
Socia.
Shall I speake a few coole words, and bar buffeting.
Gani.
Speake freely.
You will not strike.
Gani.
Say on.
Socia.
I am the party you wot off, I am Socia, you may
strike if you will, but in beating me (if you be Socia) I assure
you, you shall but beate your selfe.
Gani.
The fellowes mad.
Socia.
Mad, am I not newly landed? sent hither by my
Maister? Is not this our house? Do I not speake? Am I not
awake? Am I not newly beaten? Do I not feele it still? And
shall I doubt I am not my selfe? come, come, I'le in and doe
my message.
Gani.
Sirrah, I haue indured you with much impatience,
Wilt thou make me beleeue I am not Socia?
Was not our ships launcht out off the Persicke hauen?
Did I not land this night?
Haue we not won the Towne where K. Ptelera raign'd?
Haue we not orethrowne the Teleboans?
Did not my Lord Amphitrio kill the King hand to hand?
And did hee not send mee this night with a letter to certify
my Lady Alcmena of all these newes.
Socia.
I beginne to mistrust my selfe, all this is as true as
if I had told it my selfe; but Il'e try him further: What did
the Teleboans present my Lord with after the victory.
Gani.
With a golden cuppe in which the King himselfe
vs'd to quaffe.
Socia.
Where did I put it.
Gani.
That I know not, but I put it into a casket, sign'd
by my Lords Signet.
Socia.
And what's the Signet?
Gant.
The Sun rising from the East in his Chariot,
But do you come to vndermine me you slaue?
Socia.
I must go seeke some other name, I am halfe hang'd
already, for my good name is lost; once more resolue me, if
thou canst tell me what I did alone I will resigne thee my
name: if thou bee'st Socia, when the battles began to ioyne,
as soone as they beganne to skirmish, what didst thou?
Gani.
As soone as they began to fight I began to runne.
Socia.
Whither?
Into my Lords tent, and their hid mee vnder a
bed.
Socia.
I am gone, I am gone, somebody for charity sake
either lend mee or giue me a name, for this I haue lost by the
way, and now I looke better on he, me; or I, hee; as he hath
got my name, hee hath got my shape, countenance, stature,
and euerything so right, that he can bee no other then I my
owne selfe; but when I thinke that I am I, the same I euer
was, know my Maister, his house, haue sence, feeling, and
vnderstanding, know my message, my businesse, why should
I not in to deliuer my letter to my Lady.
Gani.
That letter is deliuered by my hand.
My Lady knowes all, and expects her Lord,
And I her seruant Socia am set heere
To keepe such idle raskals from the gate,
Then leaue mee, and by faire meanes, or I'le send thee leglesse,
or armelesse hence.
Socia.
Nay, thou hast rob'd me of enough already, I
would bee loath to loose my name and limbes both in one
night: where haue I miscaried? where bene chang'd? Did I
not leaue my selfe behind in the ship when I came away, I'le
euen backe to my Maister and see if hee know mee, if hee
know me, if he call me Socia, and will beare me out in't,
Il'e come backe and do my message, spight of him saies nay,
Exit.
Gani.
This obstacle, the father of more troubles
I haue put off, and kept him from disturbance
In their adulterate pastimes, faire Alcmena
Is great already by Amphitrio
And neere her time, and if shee proue by Iupiter
He by his power and God-hood will contract
Both births in one, to make her throwes the lesse:
And at one instant shee shall child two issues,
Be got by Ioue and by Amphitrio.
The house by this long charm'd by Hermes rod
Are stirring and Ioue glutted with delights,
Ready to take his leaue, through satiate
Betweene our louers, as when first they meet.
Enter Iupiter, Alcmena, and the seruants.
Iupit.
My deerest loue fare-well, we Generals
Cannot be absent from our charges long:
I stole from th'Army to repose with thee,
And must before the Sunne mount to his Chariot,
Be there againe.
Alcm.
My Lord, you come at midnight,
And you make haste too, to be gone ere morne,
You rise before your bed be throughly warme.
Iup.
Fairest of our Theban Dames, accuse me not,
I left the charge of Souldiers to report
The fortune of our battailes first to thee:
Which should the campe know, they would lay on me
A grieuous imputation, that the beauty
Of my faire wife, can with Amphitrio more
Then can the charge of legions. As my comming
Was secret and conceal'd, so my returne,
Which shall be short and sudden.
Alc.
That I feare,
Better I had to keepe you beeing here.
Iup.
Nay part we must sweet Lady, dry your teares.
Alc.
You'l make my minuts months, & daies seeme yeares.
Iup.
Your businesse ere we part?
Alc.
Onely to pray
You will make haste, not be too long away. Fare-well.
Iup.
Fare-well. Come Ganimed, 'tis done,
And faire Alcmena sped with a yong sonne.
Exit.
Enter Amphitrio, Socia, two Captaines with attendants.
Amph.
Oh Gentlemen, was euer man thus crost?
So strangely flowted by an abiect groome?
That either dreames, or's mad: one that speakes nothing
Sauing impossibilities, and meerely
False and absurd. Thus thou art here, and there,
In vaine are these delirements, and to me
Most deeply incredible.
Socia.
I am your owne, you may vse me as you please:
One would thinke I had lost inough already, to loose my
name, and shape, and now to loose your fauour too. Oh!
1. Capt.
Fye Socia, you too much forget your selfe,
And 'tis beyond all sufferance in your Lord,
To vse no violent hand.
Socia.
You may say what you will, but a truth is a truth.
2. Capt.
But this is neither true nor probable,
That this one body can deuide it selfe,
And be in two set places. Fie Socia, fie.
Socia.
I tell you as it is.
Amph.
Slaue of all slaues the basest: vrge me not,
Persist in these absurdities, and I vow
To cut thy tongue out, haue thee scourg'd and beaten,
Il'e haue thee flay'd.
Socia.
You may so, you may as well take my skin as another
take my name and phisnomy: all goes one way.
Amph.
Tell ore thy tale againe, make it more plaine.
Pray gentlemen your eares.
Socia.
Then as I sayd before, so I say still: I am at home;
do you heare? I am heare: do you see? I spake with my Lady
at home; yet could not come in at the gate to see her: I
deliuered her your letter, and yet haue it still in my hand.
Is not this plaine? do you vnderstand me? I am neither mad
nor drunke but what I speake is in sober sadnesse.
1. Cap.
Fie Socia, fie, thou art much, too much too blame.
2.Capt.
How dare you tempt your maisters patience
thus?
Amph.
Thinke not to scape thus: yet once more resolue me
And faithfully: Do'st thou thinke it possible
Thou canst be here and there? Be sencible,
And tell me Socia.
Socia.
'Tis possible; nor blame I you to wonder: for it
maruels me as much as any heere: Nor did I beleeue that
with arguments, told me euery thing I did at the siege, remembred
my arrand better then my selfe: Nor is water
more like to water, nor milke to milke, then that He and I
are to me and him: For when you sent me home about midnight—
Amph.
What then?
Socia.
I stood there to keepe the gate a great while before
I came at it.
Capt.
The fellow's mad.
Socia.
I am as you see.
Amph.
He hath been strooke by some malevolent hand.
Socia.
Nay that's certaine: for I haue been soundly beaten.
Amph.
Who beat thee.
Socia.
I my owne selfe that am at home, how oft shall I
tell you?
Amph.
Sirrah, wee'l owe you this. Now gentlemen
You that haue beene co-partners in our warres,
Shall now co-part our welcome: we will visite
Our beauteous wife; with whom (our businesse ended)
We haue leasure to conferre.
Enter Alcmena with her seruants and Mayd.
Alc.
Haue you took down those hangings that were plac'd
To entertaine my Lord?
1. Seru.
Madame they are.
Alc.
And is our priuate bed-chamber dis-roab'd
Of all her beauty? to looke ruinous,
Till my Lords presence shall repair't againe.
2. Seru.
'Tis done as you directed.
Alc.
Euery chamber,
Office and roome, shall in his absence looke,
As if they mist their maister, and beare part
With mee in my resembled widow-hood.
3. Seru.
That needs not madame: See my Lord's return'd.
Alc.
And made such haste to leaue me: I misdoubt
Some tricke in this: It is distrust or feare
'T can be no lesse then idle iealousie.
Amph.
See bright Alcmena, with my sudden greeting,
Il'e rap her soule to heauen, and make her surfet
With ioyes aboundance. Beauteous Lady see
Amphitrio return'd a Conquerour,
Glad to vnfold in his victorious armes
Thy nine-moneth absent body, whose ripe birth
Swels with such beauty in thy constant wombe.
How cheeres my Lady?
Alc.
So, so, wee'l do to her your kinde commends,
You may make bold to play vpon your friends.
Amph.
Ha, what language call you this, that seemes to me
Past vnderstanding? I conceiue it not,
I reioyce to see you wife.
Alc.
Yet shals haue more?
You do but now, as you haue done before.
Pray flowt me still, and do your selfe that right,
To tell that ore you told me yester-night.
Amph.
What yesternight? Alcmena this your greeting
Distastes me. I but now, now, with these gentlemen
Landed at Thebes, and came to do my loue
To thee, before my duty to my King.
This strangenesse much amazeth me.
Socia.
We haue found one Socia, but we are like to loose
an Amphitrio.
Alc.
Shall I be plaine my Lord? I take it ill,
That you, whom I receiu'd late yester-night,
Gaue you my freest welcome, feasted you,
Lodg'd you, and but this morning, two houres since
Tooke leaue of you with teares, that your returne
So sudden, should be furnisht with such scorne.
Amph.
Gentlemen, I feare the madnesse of my man
Is fled into her braine, be these my witnesse,
I am but newly landed: witnesse these
With whom I haue not parted.
1. Capt.
In this we needs must take our Generals part,
Alc.
And bring you witnesse to suggest your wrongs,
Against you two I can oppose all these.
Receiu'd I not Amphitrio yester-night?
1. Seru.
I assure you my Lord remember your selfe, you
were here yester-nighr.
All.
'Tis most certaine.
Amph.
These villaines all are by my wife suborn'd,
To seeke to mad me. Gentlemen pray list,
Wee'l giue this errour scope: Pray at what time
Gaue you me entertainement the last night?
Alc.
As though you know not? Well, Il'e fit your humor,
And tell you what you better know then I.
At mid-night.
Amph.
At mid-night: Pray obserue that Gentlemen,
At mid-night we were in discourse a boord
Of my Commission.
2. Capt.
I remembr't well.
Amph.
What did we then at mid-night?
Alc.
Sate to banquet.
1. Seru.
Where I waited.
2. Seru.
So did we all.
Amph.
And I was there at banquet.
3. Seru.
Your Lordship's merry: do you make a question
of that?
Alc.
At banquet you discourst the Inter-view
Betweene the Theleboans and your hoast.
Amph.
Belike then you can tell vs our successe,
Ere we that are the first to bring these newes
Can vtter it.
Alc.
Your Lordship's pleasant still.
The battailes ioyn'd, cryes past on either side,
Long was the skirmish doubtfull, till the Thebans
Opprest the Theleboans: but the battaile
Was by the King renewed: who face to face
And hand to hand, met with Amphitrio:
You fought, and arme to arme in single combat,
Troad on his head a Victor.
Amph.
How came you by this?
Alc.
As though you told it not.
Well then, after banquet?
Alc.
We kist, embrac'd, our chamber was made ready.
Amph.
And then?
Alc.
To bed we went.
Amph.
And there?
Alc.
You slept in these my armes.
Amph.
Strumpet, no more.
Madnesse and impudence contend in thee,
Which shall afflict me most.
Alc.
Your iealousie
And this imposterous wrong, heapes on me iniuries
More then my sex can beare: you had best deny
The gift you gaue me too.
Amph.
Oh heauen! what gift?
Alc.
The golden Cup the Theleboans King
Vs'd still to quaffe in.
Amph.
Indeed I had such purpose,
But that I keepe safe lock't. Shew me the bowle.
Alc.
Thessala, the standing cup Amphitrio gaue me
Last night at banquet, ther's the key.
Thessal.
I shall.
1. Capt.
My Lord, ther's much amazement in the opening
of these strange doubts, the more you seeke to vnfold
them, the more they pusle vs.
2. Capt.
How came she by the notice
And true recitall of the battailes fortune?
Amph.
That hath this villaine told her, on my life.
Soc.
Not I, I disclaime it, vnlesse it were my tother selfe, I
haue no hand in it.
Enter Thessala with the cup.
Thessal.
Madame, the bowle.
Alc.
Restor't Amphitrio,
I am not worthy to be trusted with it.
Amph.
The forme, the mettal, and the grauing too.
'Tis somwhat strange. Socia, the casket streight.
Socia.
Here sir.
Amph.
What, is my signet safe?
Soc.
Vntouch't.
Amph.
Then will I shew her streight that bowle
The Theleboans gaue me. Wher's my key?
Soc.
Here sir. This is the strangest that ere I heard, I Socia
another Amphitrio. Now, if this golden bowle haue begot another
golden bowle, we shall be all twin'd and doubled.
Amph.
Behold an empty casket.
Alc.
This notwithstanding you deny your gift,
Our meeting, banquet, and our sportfull night.
Your mornings parting.
Amph.
All these I deny
As falce, and past all nature, yet this goblet
Breeds in me wonder, with the true report
Of our warres proiect: But I am my selfe
New landed with these Captaines, and my men,
Deny all banquets and affaires of bed,
Which thou shalt deerely answere.
Alc.
Aske your seruants
If I mis-say in ought.
1. Seru.
My Lord, there is nothing said by my Lady, but
we are eye-witnesses of, and will iustifie on our oathes.
Amph.
And will you tempt me still?
Socia, run to the ship, bring me the maister,
And he shall with these Captaines iustifie
On my behalfe, whilst I reuenge my selfe
On these falce seruants, that support their Lady
In her adulterous practise. Villaines, dogges.
1. Capt.
Patience my Lord.
Amphitrio beats in his men. Exit.
Alc.
Nay let him still proceed,
That hauing kild them, I may likewise bleed.
His frensie is my death, life I despise,
These are the fruits of idle iealousies.
Yonder he comes againe,
Enter Iupiter.
So soone appeas'd,
And from his fury: I shall nere forget
This iniury, till I haue paid his debt.
Iupiter.
What sad Alcmena? Pre'thee pardon me,
'Twas but my humour, and I now am sorry.
Nay whither turn'st thou?
Alcm.
All the wit I haue,
I wonder you can hold your hands, not strike,
If I a strumpet be, and wrong your bed,
Why doth not your rude hand assault this head?
Iup.
Oh my sweet wife, of what I did in sport,
Condemne me not: If needs, then chide me for't.
Alc.
Was it because I was last night to free
Of courteous dalliance, that you iniure me?
Was I too lauish of my loue? Next night
Feare not, Il'e keepe you short of your delight:
Il'e learne to keepe you off, and seeme more coy,
You shall no more swim in excesse of ioy,
Looke for't hereafter.
Iup.
Punish me I pray.
Alc.
Giue me my dower and Il'e be gone away:
Leaue you to your harsh humors, and base strife,
Onely the honour of a vertuous wife
Il'e beare along; my other substance keepe:
For in a widowed bed Il'e henceforth sleepe.
Iup.
By this right hand, which you Amphitrio owe,
My wrongs henceforth shall nere afflict you so.
Speake, are we friends? By this soft kisse I sweare,
No Lady liuing is to me like deare.
These nuptiall brawles oft-times more loue beget:
The rauishing pleasures, when last night we met
We will redouble. These hands shall not part
Till we be reconcil'd.
Alc.
You haue my heart; nor can my anger last.
Iup.
Faire loue then smile.
Enter Blepharo and Socia.
And let our lips our hearts thus reconcile.
Bleph.
Thou tel'st me wonders.
Socia.
I assure you there are two Socia's, and for ought I
can heare, there are two Amphitrio's: we were in hope to
haue two golden bowles. Now if your ship can get two
maisters, you wil be simply furnish't to sea. But see my Lord
and my Lady are friends; let vs be partakers of their reconcilement.
Haile to the generall: you sent to me my Lord.
Iup.
True Blepharo:
But things are well made euen, and we attoned,
Your chiefest businesse is to feast with vs.
Attend vs Socia. Faire Alcmena now
We are both one, combin'd by oath and vow.
Exeunt.
Socia.
Ther's musicke in this: If they feast Il'e feast with
them, and make my belly amends for all the blowes receiu'd
vpon my backe.
Enter Ganimed.
Gan.
Iupiter and Alcmena are entred at the backe gate,
whil'st Amphitrio is beating his seruants out at the foregate.
Als in vp-rore: I do but watch to see him out in the
street, to shut the gates against him. But yonder is Socia, I'le
passe by him without speaking.
Socia.
I should haue seene your face when I haue look't my
selfe in a glasse, your sweet phisnomy, should be of my acquaintance:
I will not passe him without Conge.
They passe with many strange Conges.
Enter Amphitrio, beating before him his seruants, the two Captaines, they meet with Ganimed.
Amph.
Villaines, dogges, diuels.
1. Capt.
Noble Generall.
Amph.
These wrongs are too indigne. Socia return'd?
Where's Blepharo?
Gan.
I haue sought him a boord; but he is in the Citty to
see some of his friends, and will not returne till dinner.
Now for a tricke to shut the gates vpon him.
Exit.
Amph.
Patience, if thou hast any power on earth,
Infuse it here, or I these hypocrites,
These base suggesters of their Ladies wrongs,
Shall to the death pursue.
2. Capt.
Finde for their punishment
Some more deliberate season: sleepe vpon't,
And by an order more direct and plaine
Amphi.
Sir, you aduise well, I will qualify
This heate of rage: now I haue beate them forth
Let's in and see my wife, Socia stolne hence
And the gates shut, let's knocke.
Knockes, enter Ganimed aboue.
Gani.
What Ruffin's that that knocks? you thinke belike
the nailes of our dores are as sawcy as your selfe, that they
neede beating.
Amphi.
Socia I am thy Lord Amphitrio.
Gam.
You are a fooles head of your owne, are you not?
Amphi.
Ruffin and foole.
Gani.
Take coxcombe and asse along, if you bee not satisfied.
Amphi.
Do you condemne me now, pray Gentlemen
Do me but right, haue I iust cause to rage?
Can you that haue perswaded mee to peace
Brooke this? oh for some battering engine heere
To race my Pallace walles, or some iron Ramme
To plant against these gates,
Gani.
Sirrah, I'le make you eate these words, stay but
till I come downe, I'le send you thence with a vengeance, I
am now comming, looke to't, I'le tickle you with your
counterfeit companions there.
Exit.
1. Cap.
This is too much, 'tis not to be indured.
Amphi.
I wish of heauen to haue no longer life then
once more to behold him, hee shall pay for all the rest.
2. Cap.
He promist to come downe.
Enter Socia and Blepharo.
1. Cap.
And I thinke hee will, for harke, I heare the
gates open.
Amphi.
Forbeare a little, note the villaines humor.
Socia.
Al's quiet within, I'le go helpe to fetch my Lords
stuffe from ship, but see, hee's out of the gates before vs,
which way came hee?
Bleph.
Hee hath made hast.
Socia.
I thinke he hath crept through the key-hole.
Amph.
Nay, I'le be patient feare not, note my humor: Socia.
My Lord.
Amphi.
My honest Blepharo I'le talke with you anone, my
faithfull seruant, who past this house to you, that you haue
power to keepe the Maister out? tell me, what know you by
your faire Mistresse, that you call your Lord coxcombe and
asse, (nay I am patient still) Amphitrioes name is heere forgot,
foole, ruffin are nothing, them I pardon, now you are
downe, when do you beate me head-long from the gate, and
these my counterfeit companions hence.
Socia.
Who I, I, is your Lordship as wise as God might
haue made you, I
Amphi.
You see we are here still, when doe you strike,
what? not: Then I'le beginne with you.
Bleph.
Amphitrio.
Socia.
My Lord's mad, helpe Gentlemen.
Bleph.
If you be Gentlemen and loue Amphitrio,
Or if you know me to be Blepharo
Your Maister that transported you by sea
Giue not this madnesse scope, vpon my credit
Socia is guiltlesse of this falce surmise.
Amphi.
Is Blepharo turn'd mad too.
Bleph.
Generall no,
It pitties me that left you late so milde
And in such peacefull conference with your wise
So suddenly to finde you lunaticke,
Pray helpe to bind him Gentlemen.
Amphi.
So, so, am I abus'd or no, speake fellow souldiers.
1. Cap.
Insufferable, and yet forbeare your rage,
Breath, breath, vpon't and find some other leasure
These errors to determine.
Enter Iupiter, Alcmena, Ganimed before, all the seruants running fearefully.
Amphi.
Well, I will.
Socia.
Yonder's my brother, my same selfe.
Bleph.
Two Socia's, two Amphitrioes.
1. Cap.
Coniuring, witch-craft.
Iup.
Friends and my fellow souldiers, you haue dealt
Vnfriendly with mee, to besiedge my house
Is there no law in Thebes? will Creon suffer me
For all my seruice, to be iniur'd thus?
Amph.
Bee'st thou infernall hagge, or fiend incarnate,
I coniure thee.
Iup.
Friends, I appeale to you:
When haue you knowne me mad? when rage and raue?
Shall my humanity and mildnesse thus
Be recompenst? to be out-brau'd, out-fac'd
By some deluding Fairy? To haue my seruants
Beat from my gates? my Generall house disturb'd,
My wife full growne, and groaning, ready now
To inuoke Lucina, to be check't and scorn'd?
Examine all my deeds, Amphitrioes mildnesse
Had neuer reference to this Iuglers rage.
1. Capt.
Sure this is the Generall, he was euer a milde Gentleman:
Il'e follow him.
2. Capt.
There can be but one Amphitrio, and this appeares
to be he by his noble carriage.
Bleph.
This is that Amphitrio I conducted by sea:
1. Seru.
My Lord was neuer mad-man. This shall be my
maister.
All.
And mine.
Alc.
This is my husband.
Soc.
Il'e euen make bold to go with the best.
Gan.
Soft sir, the true Socia must goe with the true Amphltrio.
Amph.
Oh thou omnipotent thunder! strike Amphitrio,
And free me from this labyrinth.
Iup.
Gentlemen,
My house is free to you; onely debar'd
These Counterfets: These gates that them exclude,
Stand open to you: Enter, and taste our bounty,
Attend vs. 'Lasse poore Amphitrio,
I must confesse I do thee too much wrong,
To keep thee in these maze of doubts so long;
Which here shall end: For Iuno I espy,
As she descends, so must I mount the spheares
To stop her, lest she thunder in our eares.
Exeunt all but Amphitrio and Socia.
Amph.
What art thou?
Soc.
Nay, what art thou?
Amph.
I am not my selfe.
Soc.
You would not beleeue me when I sayd I was not
my selfe: why should I beleeue you?
Amph.
Art thou Socia?
Soc.
That's more then I can resolue you: for the world
is growne so dangerous, a man dares scarce make bold with
his owne name; but I am he was sent with a letter to my
Lady.
Amph.
And I am he that sent thee with that letter,
Yet dare not say I am Amphitrio;
My wife, house, friends, my seruants all deny me.
Soc.
You, haue reason to loue me the better, since none
stickes to you but I.
Amph.
Let all yon starry structure from his basses
Shrinke to the earth, that the whole face of heauen
Falling vpon forlorne Amphitrio,
May like a marble monumentall stone,
Lye on me in my graue Eternall sleepe
Cast a nocturnall filme before these eyes,
That they may nere more gaze vpon yon heauens,
That haue beheld my shame: or sleepe or death
Command me shut these opticke windowes in:
My braine is coffin'd in a bed of lead,
'Tis cold and heauy; be my pillow Socia:
For I must sleepe.
Soc.
And so must I, pray make no noyse, for waking me
or my maister.
They sleepe.
Iuno and Iris descend from the heauens.
Iuno.
Iris away, I haue found th'adulterer now:
Since Mercury faire Ioe's keeper slew,
The hundred-eyed Argus, I haue none
No sooner did I misse him, but I sought
Heauen, sea, and earth: I brib'd the sunne by day,
And starres by night; but all their iealous eyes
He with thicke mists hath blinded, and so scap't.
Iris my Raine-bow threw her circle round,
If he had beene on earth, to haue clasp't him in,
And kept him in the circle of her armes
Till she had cal'd for Iuno: But her search
He soone deluded in his slye trans-shapes.
And till I saw here two Amphitrioes,
I had not once suspected him in Thebes.
Roab'd all in wrath, and clad in scarlet fury,
I come to be aueng'd vpon that strumpet
That durst presume to adulterate Iunoes bed.
Pull me from heauen (faire Iris) a blacke cloud,
From which Il'e fashion me a beldams shape,
And such a powerfull charme Il'e cast on her,
As that her bastard-brats shall nere be borne;
But make her wombe their Tombes. Iris away.
Iris.
I flye Madame.
Exit Iris.
Iuno.
No, these are mortals, and not them I seeke.
I feare me if he heare of me in Thebes,
He (with his Minion) streight will mount the heauens.
But let him seat him on the loftiest spire
Heauen hath: or place me in the lowest of hell,
Il'e reach him with my clamours.
Socia.
Hey-ho, now am I dream'd of a scold.
Enter Iris with a habit.
Iuno.
But Iris is return'd: Rage, feast thy fill,
Till I the mother sley, the bastards kill.
Exit Iuno.
Thunder and lightning. All the seruants run out of the house affrighted, the two Captains and Blepharo, Amphitrio and Socia amazedly awake: Iupiter appeares in his glory vnder a Raine-bow, to whom they all kneele.
Iup.
The Thunderer, Thunderers, and the Lord of feare,
Ioue, that against the Theleboans gaue thee
The palme of Conquest, and hath crown'd thy browes
With a victorious wreath, commands thy peace
With faire Alcmena, she that neuer bosom'd
Mortall, saue thee; The errours of thy seruants
Forbeare to punish, as forgot by vs,
And finde vs to thy prayers propicious.
Thy wife full growne, inuokes Lucinaes ayd:
Send in to cheare her in her painefull throwes.
Hers, and thy Orisons wee'l beare to heauen;
And they in all your greatest doubts and feares,
Shall haue accesse to our immortall eares.
Amph.
Ioue is our patron, and his power our awe,
His maiesty our wonder: will, our law.
Iup.
Our Act thus ends, we would haue all things euen,
Smile you on earth whilst we reioyce in heauen.
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