 | The Bond-Man |  |
ACTVS IIII.
SCÆNA I.
Pisander, Timandra.Pisander.
She has her health then:
Timandra.
Yes, Sir, and as often
As I speake of you, lends attentiue eare
To all that I deliuer: nor seemes tyr'de,
Though I dwell long on the relation of
Your suffrings for her, heaping praise on praise,
On your vnequal'd temperance, and command,
Pisander.
To my wish:
Haue you acquainted her with the defeature
Of the Carthaginians, and with what honours
Leosthenes comes Crown'd home with?
Timandra.
With all care.
Pisander.
And how does she receaue it?
Timandra.
As I ghesse
With a seeming kinde of ioy, but yet appeares not
Transported, or proud of his happy fortune.
But when I tell her of the certaine ruine,
You must encounter with at their arriuall
In Syracusa, and that death with torments
Must fall vpon you, which you yet repent not;
Esteeming it a glorious martyrdome,
And a reward of pure, vnspotted loue,
Preseru'd in the white robe of Innocence:
Though she were in your power, and still spurr'd on
By insolent lust; you rather chose to suffer
The fruit vntasted, for whose glad possession,
You haue call'd on the furie of your Lord,
Then that she should be grieu'd, or tainted in
Her Reputation.
Pisander.
Doth it worke compunction?
Pitties she my misfortune?
Timandra.
Shee express'd
All signes of sorrow, (which) her vow obseru'd,
Could witnesse a grieu'd heart. At the first hearing
Shee fell vpon her face, rent her faire haire,
Her hands held vp to heauen, and vented sighes,
In which shee silently seem'd to complaine,
Of heauens iniustice.
Pisander,
'Tis enough: waite carefully,
And vpon all watch'd occasions, continue
Speech, and discourse of me: 'tis time, must worke her.
Timandra.
I'le not be wanting, but still striue to serue you.
Pisander.
Now, Poliphron, the newes:
Exit Timandra.
Poliphron.
The conquering Army
Enter Poliphron.
Pisander.
How brooke the slaues the obiect?
Poliph.
Cheerefully yet; they do refuse no labour,
And seeme to scoffe at danger; 'tis your presence
That must confirme them; with a full consent,
You are chosen to relate the tyranny
Of our proud Masters; and what you subscribe too,
They gladly will allow of, or hold out
To the last man.
Pisander.
I'le instantly among them:
If we prooue constant to our selues, good fortune
Will not, I hope, forsake vs.
Poliphron.
'Tis our best refuge.
Exeunt.
SCÆNA II.
Timoleon, Archidamus, Diphilus, Leosthenes, Timagoras, others.Timeleon.
Thus farre we are return'd victorious, crown'd
With Wreathes triumphant, (famine, blood, and dearth,
Banisht your peacefull confines,) and bring home
Securitie, and peace. 'Tis therefore fit
That such as boldly stood the shocke of warre,
And with the deere expence of sweat and blood
Haue purchas'd Honour, should with pleasure reape
The haruest of their toyle; and wee stand bound
Out of the first file of the best deseruers,
(Though all must be consider'd to their merits)
To thinke of you Leosthenes, that stand,
And worthily, most deere in our esteeme,
For your heroique valour.
Archidamus.
When I looke on
(The labour of so many men, and ages)
This well-built Citie, not long since design'd
To spoyle and rapine; by the fauour of
The gods, and you their ministers preseru'd;
I cannot in my height of ioy, but offer
These teares for a glad sacrifice.
Sleepe the Citizens?
Or are they ouerwhelm'd with the excesse
Of comfort, that flowes to them?
Leosthenes.
Wee receaue
A silent entertainment.
Timagoras.
I long since
Expected, that the virgins, and the Matrons,
The old men striuing with their age, the Priests
Carrying the Images of their gods before 'em
Should haue met vs with Procession: Ha! the gates
Are shut against vs!
Archid.
And vpon the Walls
Enter aboue, Pisander, Poliphron, Cimbrio, Gracculo, & the rest.
Arm'd men seeme to defie vs!
Diphilus.
I should know
These faces; they are our slaues.
Timagoras.
The misterie, Rascalls?
Open the ports, and play not with an anger,
That will consume you.
Timoleon.
This is aboue wonder.
Archid.
Our Bond-men stand against vs!
Gracculo.
Some such things
We were in mans remembrance; the slaues are turn'd
Lords of the Towne, or so; nay, be not angry:
Perhaps on good tearmes, giuing security,
You will be quiet men, we may allow you
Some lodgings in our Garrets, or out-houses;
Your great lookes cannot carry it.
Cymbrio.
The truth is,
We haue beene bold with your wiues, toy'd with your daughters.
Leosthenes.
O my prophetique soule!
Gracculo.
Rifled your Chests,
Beene busie with your Wardrobes.
Timagoras.
Can we indure this?
Leosthenes.
O my Cleora!
Gracculo.
A Caudle, for the Gentleman,
Hee'll die a'the pip else.
Timagoras.
Scorn'd too! are you turn'd stone?
Hold parley with our Bond-men? force our entrance,
Timoleon.
Hold: you weare mens shapes
And if like men you haue reason, shew a cause
That leads you to this desperate course, which must end
In your destruction?
Gracculo.
That, as please the Fates,
But we vouchsafe; speake Captaine.
Timagoras.
Hell, and Furies!
Archid.
Bay'd by our owne curres?
Cimbrio.
Take heed, you be not wurried.
Poliphron.
We are sharpe set.
Cymbrio.
And sodaine.
Pisander.
Briefly thus then,
Since I must speake for all; your tyranny
Drew vs from our obedience. Happy those times,
When Lords were styl'd fathers of Families,
And not imperious Masters; when they numbred
Their seruants almost equall with their Sonnes,
Or one degree beneath them; when their labours
Were cherish'd, and rewarded, and a period
Set to their suffrings; when they did not presse
Their duties, or their wills beyond the power
And strength of their performance; all things order'd
With such decorum, as wise Law-makers,
From each well-gouern'd priuate house deriu'd
The perfect modell of a Common-wealth;
Humanity then lodg'd in the hearts of men,
And thankfull Masters carefully prouided
For Creatures wanting reason. The noble horse
That in his fiery youth from his wide nostrells,
Neigh'd courage to his Rider, and brake through
Groues of opposed Pikes, bearing his Lord
Safe to triumphant victory, old or wounded,
Was set at libertie, and freed from seruice.
The Athenian Mules, that from the Quarrie drew
Marble, hew'd for the Temples of the gods,
The great worke ended, were dismis'd, and fed
At the publique cost; nay, faithfull dogs haue found
Appoints no end to the suffrings of his slaue;
Since pride stept in and ryot, and o'return'd
This goodly frame of Concord, teaching Masters
To glory in the abuse of such, as are
Brought vnder their cōmand; who grown vnusefull,
Are lesse esteem'd than beasts; this you haue practis'd,
Practis'd on vs with rigor; this hath forc'd vs,
To shake our heauy yokes off; and if redresse
Of these iust grieuances be not granted vs,
Wee'le right our selues, and by strong hand defend,
What we are now possess'd of.
Gracculo.
And not leaue
One house vnfir'd.
Cimbrio.
Or throat vncut of those
We haue in our power.
Poliphron.
Nor will we fall alone,
You shall buy vs dearely.
Timagoras.
O, the gods!
Vnheard of insolence!
Timoleon.
What are your demaunds?
Pisander.
A generall pardon, first, for all offences
Committed in your absence. Libertie,
To all such, as desire to make returne
Into their countries; and to those that stay,
A competence of land freely allotted
To each mans proper vse; no Lord acknowledg'd.
Lastly, with your consent, to choose them wiues
Out of your Families.
Timagoras.
Let the Citie sinke first.
Leosthenes.
And ruine sease on all, e're we subscribe
To such conditions.
Archidamus.
Carthage, though victorious,
Could not haue forc'd more from vs:
Leosthenes.
Scale the Walls,
Capitulate after.
Timoleon.
He that winnes the toppe first,
Shall weare a murall wreath.
Exeunt.
Each to his place.
Flourish, & alarmes.
Or death or victory; charge them home, & feare not.
Timol.
We wrong our selues, and we are iustly punish'd,
Enter Timoleon and Senators.
To deale with Bond-men, as if we encountred
An equall enemy.
Archidamus.
They fight like deuills:
And runne vpon our Swords, as if their breasts
Enter Leosthenes, and Timagoras.
Were proofe beyond their Armour.
Timagoras.
Make a firme stand:
The slaues not satisfied, they haue beat vs off,
Prepare to sally forth.
Timoleon.
They are wilde beasts,
And to be tam'd by pollicie; each man take
A tough whippe in his hand: such as you vs'd
To punish them with, as masters; in your lookes
carry seuerity, and awe; 'twill fright them
More then your weapons; sauage Lyons flye from
The sight of fire; and these that haue forgot
That duty, you n'ere taught them with your swords,
When vnexpected, they behold those terrors
Aduanc'd aloft, that they were made to shake at,
'Twill force them to remember what they are,
Enter Cimbrio, Gracculo, & other slaues.
And stoope to due obedience.
Archidamus.
Heere they come.
Cymbrio.
Leaue not a man aliue; a wound is but a fleabyting,
To what we suffred being slaues.
Gracculo.
O my heart!
Cimbrio what doe we see? the whippe! our Masters!
Timag.
Dare you rebell, slaues?
Senators shake their whips, and they throw away their weapons, and runne off.
Cimbrio.
Mercy, mercy; where
Shall we hide vs from their furie?
Gracculo.
Fly, they follow;
O, we shall be tormented:
Timoleon.
Enter with them,
But yet forbeare to kill them; still remember
They are part of your wealth, and being disarm'd,
There is no danger.
Archidamus.
Let vs first deliuer
Determine of their punishment.
Leosthenes.
Friend, to you
I leaue the disposition of what's mine:
I cannot thinke I am safe without your Sister,
Shee's only worth my thought; and till I see
What she has suffred, I am on the racke,
And furye's my tormentors.
Exeunt.
SCÆNA III.
Pisander, Timandra.Pisander.
I know, I am pursu'd, nor would I flye,
Although the Ports were open, and a Conuoy
Ready to bring me off: the basenesse of
These villaines, from the pride of all my hopes,
Haue throwne me to the bottomlesse Abisse
Of horror, and despayre; had they stood firme,
I could haue bought Cleoras free consent,
With the safetie of her Fathers life, and Brothers:
And forc'd Leosthenes to quit his claime,
And kneele a Suitor for mee.
Timandra.
You must not thinke,
What might haue beene, but what must now be practic'd,
And suddenly resolue.
Pisander.
All my poore fortunes
Are at the stake, and I must runne the hazard.
Vnseene, conuey me to Cleora's Chamber,
For in her sight, if it were possible,
I would be apprehended: doe not inquire
The reason why, but helpe me.
Timandra.
Make haste, one knockes,
Exit Pisander.
Ioue turne all to the best: you are welcome Sir.
Enter Leosthenes.
Leosthenes.
Thou giu'st it in a heauy tone.
Timandra.
Alas, Sir,
Wee haue so long fed on the bread of sorrow,
Drinking the bitter water of afflictions,
Made loathsome to, by our continued feares,
Leosthenes.
Feare's! your suffrings,
For which I am so ouergone with griefe,
I dare not aske without compassionate teares,
The villaines name, that rob'd thee of thy honour;
For being train'd vp in chastities cold Schoole,
And taught by such a Mistresse as Cleora,
'Twere impious in me, to thinke Timandra
Fell with her owne consent.
Timandra.
How meane you, fell, Sir?
I vnderstand you not.
Leosthenes.
I would, thou didst not,
Or that I could not reade vpon thy face,
In blushing caracters, the story of
Libidinous Rape; confesse it, for you stand not
Accomptable for a sinne, against whose strength
Your o're-match'd innocence could make no resistance;
Vnder which odds, I know Cleora fell too,
Heau'ns helpe in vaine inuok'd; the amazed Sunne,
Hiding his face behinde a maske of cloudes,
Not daring, to looke on it, in her suffrings
All sorrowe's comprehended; what Timandra,
Or the Citie has indur'd, her losse consider'd,
Deserues not to be nam'd.
Timandra.
Pray you doe not bring, Sir,
In the chymeraes of your iealous feares,
New monsters to affright vs.
Leosthenes.
O Timandra.
That I had faith enough but to beleeue thee,
I should receaue it with a ioy beyond
Assurance of Elizian shades hereafter,
Or all the blessings in this life, a Mother
Could wish her children crown'd with: but I must not
Credit impossibilities, yet I striue
To finde out that, whose knowledge is a curse,
And ignorance a blessing. Come, discouer
What kinde of looke he had, that forc'd thy Lady,
(Thy rauisher, I will enquire at leasure,)
But neere him in aspect, I may conclude,
(Though men and Angels should proclaime him honest,)
Hee is a Hell-bred villaine.
Timandra.
You are vnworthy
To know she is preseru'd, preseru'd vntainted.
Sorrow (but ill bestow'd) hath only made
A rape vpon her comforts, in your absence.
Come forth, deare Madam.
Leads in Cleora.
Leost.
Ha!
Kneeles.
Tima.
Nay, she dserues
The bending of your heart; that to content you,
Has kept a vow, the breach of which a vestall
(Though the infringing it had call'd vpon her
A liuing funerall,) must of force haue shrunke at;
No danger could compell her, to dispence with
Her cruell Penance; though hot lust came arm'd
To seaze vpon her, when one looke, or accent
Might haue redeem'd her.
Leosthenes.
Might? O doe not show me
A beame of comfort, and straight take it from me;
The meanes, by which she was freed? Speake, O speake quickly,
Each minute of delay's, an age of Torment:
O speake, Timandra.
Timandra.
Free her from her oath,
Her selfe can best deliuer it.
Takes off the Scarfe.
Leost.
O blest office!
Neuer did Gally-slaue shake off his chaines,
Or look'd on his redemption from the Oare,
With such true feeling of delight, as now
I finde my selfe possess'd of; now I behold
True light indeed; For since these fairest starres,
(Couer'd with cloudes of your determinate will)
Denyde their influence to my optique sense,
The Splendor of the Sunne appear'd to me,
But as some little glimpse of his bright beames
Couey'd into a Dungeon; to remember
The darke inhabitants there, how much they wanted.
With Musicke more harmonious, then the Spheares
Yeeld in their heauenly motions; And if euer
A true submission, for a crime acknowledg'd,
May finde a gratious hearing, teach your tongue
In the first sweet, articulate sounds, it vtters
To signe my wish'd-for pardon.
Cleo.
I forgiue you.
Leost.
How greedily I receiue this? Stay, best Lady,
And let me by degrees ascend the height
Of humane happinesse; All at once deliuer'd,
The torrent of my ioyes will ouerwhelme me;
So, now a little more; And pray excuse me,
If like a wanton Epicure I desire,
The pleasant taste these cates of comfort yeild me,
should not too soone be swallow'd. Haue you not
(By your vnspotted truth, I doe coniure you
To answer truly) suffer'd in your honour;
(By force, I meane, for in your will I free you)
Since I left Syracusa?
Cleo.
I restore
This kisse, (so help me goodnesse,) which I borrow'd,
When I last saw you.
Leost.
Miracle of vertue!
One pawse more, I beseech you, I am like
A man, whose vitall spirits consum'd, and wasted
With a long and tedious Feuer, vnto whom
Too much of a strong Cordiall at once taken
Brings death, and not restores him. Yet I cannot
Brings death, and not restores him. Yet I cannot
Fixe here: but must enquire the man, to whom
I stand indebted for a benefit,
Which to requite at full, though in this hand
I grasp'd all Scepters the worlds Empire bow to,
Would leaue me a poore Bank'rout; name him, Lady;
If of a meane estate, I'le gladly part with
My vtmost fortunes to him; but if noble,
In thankfull duty studie how to serue him;
Or if of higher rancke, erect him Altars,
Cleo.
If that goodnesse,
And noble temperance (the Queene of vertues)
Bridling rebellous passions (to whose sway,
Such as haue conquer'd Nations haue liu'd slaues)
Did euer wing great mindes to flye to heauen;
He that preseru'd mine honour, may hope boldly
To fill a seat among the gods, and shake of
Our fraile corruption.
Leosthenes.
Forward.
Cleo.
Or if euer,
The powers aboue did masque in humane shapes,
To teach mortality, not by cold precepts
Forgot as soone as told, but by examples,
To imitate their purenesse, and draw neere
To their Cœlestiall Natures; I belieue
Hee's more then man.
Leost.
You doe describe a wonder.
Cleo.
Which will increase, when you shall vnderstand,
He was a louer.
Leost.
Not yours, Lady?
Cleo.
Yes,
Lou'd me, Leosthenes; Nay more, so doted,
(If cleere affections scorning grosse desires
May without wrong be stil'd so) that he durst not
With an immodest syllable, or looke,
In feare it might take from me, whom he made
The obiect of his better part, discouer,
I was the Saint, he su'de too.
Leost.
A rare tempter!
Cleo.
I cannot speake it to the worth: All praise
I can bestow vpon it, will appeare
Enuious detraction. Not to racke you farther,
Yet make the miracle full; though of all men
He hated you Leosthenes, as his riuall:
So high yet he priz'd my content, that knowing
You were a man I fauour'd, he disdain'd not
Against himselfe to serue you.
You conceale, still,
The owner of these excellencies.
Cleo.
'Tis Marullo,
My Fathers Bond-man,
Leost.
Ha, ha, ha!
Cleo.
Why doe you laugh?
Leost.
To heare the labouring mountaine of your praise
Deliuer'd of a Mouse.
Cleo.
The man deserues not
This scorne, I can assure you.
Leost.
Doe you call,
What was his dutie, merit?
Cleo.
Yes, and place it,
As high in my esteeme, as all the honours
Descended from your Auncestors, or the glory,
Which you may call your owne, got in this action;
In which I must confesse you haue done nobly,
And I could adde; As I desir'd; but that
I feare, 'twould make you proud.
Leost.
Why Lady, can you
Be wonne to giue allowance, that your slaue
Should dare to loue you?
Cleo.
The Immortall gods
Accept the meanest Altars, that are rais'd
By pure deuotions; and sometimes preferre
An ounce of Frankinsence, hony, or milke,
Before whole Hecatombes, or Sabæan Gums
Offer'd in ostentation. Are you sicke
Aside.
Of your old disease? I'le fit you.
Leost.
You seeme mou'd.
Cleo.
Zealous, I grant, in the defence of vertue.
Why, good Leosthenes, though I endur'd,
A penance for you sake, aboue example,
I haue not so farre sold my selfe, I take it,
To be at your deuotion, but I may
Cherish desert in others, where I finde it.
How would you tyranize, if you stood possess'd of
That, which is only yours in expectation?
Leost.
One kisse, and I am silenc'd.
Cleo.
I vouchsafe it;
Yet, I must tell you, 'tis a fauour, that
Marullo, when I was his, not mine owne,
Durst not presume to aske; No, when the Citie
Bow'd humbly to licentious Rapes, and lust.
And when I was of men and gods forsaken,
Deliuer'd to his power, he did not presse me
To grace him with one looke or sillable.
Or vrg'd the dispensation of an oath
Made for your satisfaction; The poore wretch
Hauing related only his owne suffrings,
And kiss'd my hand, which I could not denie him,
Defending me from others, neuer since
Solicited my fauours.
Leost.
Pray you, end,
The story does not please me.
Cleo.
Well, take heed
Of doubts, and feares; For know, Leosthenes,
A greater iniury cannot be offer'd
To innocent chastity, then vniust suspition.
I loue Marulloes faire minde, not his person,
Let that secure you. And I here command you,
If I haue any power in you, to stand
Betweene him and all punishment, and oppose
His temperance to his folly; If you faile—
No more, I will not threaten.
Exit.
Leost.
What a bridge
Of glasse I walke vpon, ouer a Riuer
Of certaine ruine: mine owne waightie feares
Cracking what should support me: And those helpes,
Which confidence lends to others, are from me
Rauish'd by doubts, and wilfull Iealousie.
Timagoras, Cleon, Asotus, Corisca, Olimpia.
Cleon.
But are you sure we are safe?
Tima.
You need not feare,
They are all vnder guard, their fangs par'd off:
The wounds their insolence gaue you, to be cur'd,
With the balme of your reuenge.
Asotus.
And shall I be
The thing I was borne, my Lord?
Timagoras.
The same wise thing;
'Slight, what a beast they haue made thee! Affricke neuer
Produc'd the like.
Aso.
I thinke so: Nor the land
Where Apes, and Monkies, grow, like Crabs, and Wall-nuts
On the same tree. Not all the Catalogue
Of Coniurers, or wise women, bound together
Could haue so soone transform'd me, as my Raskall
Did with his whip; Not in outside only,
But in my owne beliefe, I thought my selfe
As perfect a Baboone.
Tima.
An Asse, thou wert euer.
Aso.
And would haue giuen one legge with all my heart
For good securitie to haue beene a man
After three liues, or one and twenty yeares,
Though I had dy'de on Crouches.
Cleon.
Neuer varlets
So triumph'd o're an old fat man: I was famish'd.
Tima.
In deed you are falne away.
Aso.
Three yeeres of feeding
On Cullises and ielly, though his Cookes
Lard all he eates with marrow, or his Doctors
Powre in his mouth Restoratiues, as he sleepes,
Will not recouer him.
Tima.
But your Ladiship lookes
Sad on the matter, as if you had mis'd
Your ten-crowne Amber Possets, good to smoothe
Actiue, and high for an afternoones incounter,
With a rough gamester, on your couch; fie on't,
You are growne thriftie, smell like other women;
The Colledge of Phisitians haue not sate,
As they were vs'd, in councell how to fill
The cranies in your cheekes, or raise a rampire,
With Mummy, Ceruses, or Infants fat,
To keepe off age, and time.
Cori.
Pray you, forbeare;
I am an alter'd woman.
Tima.
So it seemes;
A part of your honours ruffe stands out of rancke too.
Cori.
No matter, I haue other thoughts.
Tima.
O strange!
Not ten dayes since it would haue vex'd you more,
Then th'losse of your good name; Pitty, this cure
For your proud itch came no sooner! Marry, Olympia
seemes to beare vp still.
Olimp.
I complaine not, Sir,
I haue borne my fortune patiently.
Tima.
Thou wer't euer
An excellent bearer; so is all your tribe,
If you may choose your carriage: How now, friend,
Lookes our Cleora a louely?
Enter Leosthenes, and Diphilus with a Guard.
Leost.
In my thoughts, Sir.
Tima.
But why this guard?
Diphi.
It is Timoleons pleasure;
The slaues haue beene examin'd, and confesse,
Their ryot tooke beginning from your house:
And the first moouer of them to rebellion,
Your slaue Marullo.
Leost.
Ha! I more, then feare.
Tima.
They may search boldly.
Timand.
You are vnmanner'd Groomes,
Enter Timandra
To prie into my Ladyes priuate lodgings;
There's no Marulloe's, there.
Enter Diphilus With Pisander.
Timag.
Now I suspect too;
Diphi.
Close hid in your Sisters Chamber.
Timag.
Is that the villaines sanctuary?
Leost.
This confirmes
All she deliuer'd, false.
Timag.
But that I scorne,
To rust my good Sword in thy slauish blood,
Thou now wert dead.
Pisander.
Hee's more a slaue, then Fortune,
Or Miserie can make me, that insults
Vpon vnweapon'd Innocence.
Tima.
Prate, you dogge?
Pisander.
Curres snap at Lyons in the toyle, whose lookes
Frighted them being free.
Tima.
As a wilde beast,
Driue him before you.
Pisander.
O Diuine Cleora!
Leost.
Dar'st thou presume to name her?
Pisander.
Yes, and loue her:
And may say, haue deseru'd her.
Timandra.
Stoppe his mouth:
Exit Guard with Pisander.
Load him with Irons too.
Cleon.
I am deadly sicke,
To looke on him.
Asotus.
If he get loose, I know it,
I caper, like an Ape, againe: I feele
The whip already.
Timan.
This goes to my Lady.
Timag.
Come, cheere you, Sir, wee'll vrge his punishment
To the full satisfaction of your anger.
Leost.
Hee is not worth my thoughts; No corner left
In all the spatious roomes of my vex'd heart,
But is fill'd with Cleora: And the Rape
Shee has done vpon her honour, with my wrong,
The heauy burthen of my sorrowes song.
Exeunt.
| The Bond-Man | |