 | The Bond-Man |  |
ACTVS V.
SCÆNA I.
Archidamus, Cleor.Archida.
Thou art thine owne disposer. Were his honours
And glories centupled, (as I must confesse,
Leosthenes is most worthy) yet I will not,
How euer I may counsaile, force affection.
Cleora.
It needs not, Sir, I prize him to his worth,
Nay, loue him truly, yet would not liue slau'd
To his iealous humours. Since by the hopes of heauen,
As I am free from violence, in a thought
I am not guilty.
Archida.
'Tis beleeu'd Cleora,
And much the rather, (our great gods be prais'd for't)
In that I finde beyond my hopes, no signe
Of ryot in my house, but all things order'd,
As if I had beene present.
Cleora.
May that moue you
To pitty poore Marullo.
Archida.
'Tis my purpose
To doe him all the good I can, Cleora;
But his offence being against the State,
Must haue a publique triall. In the meane time
Be carefull of your selfe, and stand ingag'd
No farther to Leosthenes, then you may
Come off with honour: For, being once his wife,
You are no more your owne, nor mine, but must
Resolue to serue, and suffer his commands,
And not dispute'em; e're it be to late,
Consider it duly. I must to the Senate.
Exit Archida.
Cleora.
I am much distracted; in Leosthenes
I can finde nothing iustly to accuse,
But his excesse of loue, which I haue studied
To cure with more then common meanes, yet still
It growes vpon him. And if I may call
My suffrings merit, I stand bound to thinke on
Marullos dangers; though I saue his life,
Both haue deseru'd me, yet of force must be
Vniust to one; such is my destiny.
Enter Timandra.
How now? whence flowe these teares?
Timandra.
I haue met, Madam,
An obiect of such crueltie, as would force
A Sauage to compassion.
Cleora.
Speake, what is it?
Timan.
Men pitty beasts of rapine, if o're-match'd,
Though bayted for their pleasure: but these monsters
vpon a man, that can make no resistance,
Are sensllesse in their tyranny. Let it be granted,
Marullo is a slaue, hee's still a man;
A capitall offender, yet in iustice
Not to be tortur'd, till the Iudge pronounce
His punishment.
Cleora.
Where is he?
Timand.
Drag'd to prison
With more then barbarous violence, spurn'd and spit on
By the insulting officers, his hands
Pynion'd behinde his backe: loaden with fetters;
Yet, with a Saint-like patience, he still offers
His face to their rude buffets.
Cleora.
O my grieu'd soule!
By whose command?
Timandra.
It seemes, my Lord your brothers;
For hee's a looker on: and it takes from
Honour'd Leosthenes to suffer it,
For his respect to you, whose name in vaine
The grieu'd wretch loudly calls on.
Cleo.
By Diana,
'Tis base in both, and to their teeth I'll tell 'em
That I am wrong'd in't.
As going forth.
Timan.
What will you doe?
Cleo.
In person
Visit, and comfort him.
Timan.
That will bring fewell
To the iealous fires, which burne too hot already
Cleora.
Let them consume him;
I am Mistrisse of my selfe. Where crueltie raignes,
There dwels nor loue, nor honour.
Exit Cleora.
Timandra.
So, it workes.
Though hetherto I haue ranne a desperate course
To serue my brothers purposes, now 'tis fit,
Enter Leosthenes & Timagoras.
I study mine owne ends. They come. Assist me
In these my vndertakings, loues great Patron,
As my intents are honest.
Leosthenes.
'Tis my fault.
Distrust from others springs, Timagoras,
From diffidence in our selues. But I will striue,
With the assurance of my worth, and merits,
To kill this monster, iealousie.
Timagoras.
'Tis a ghest
In wisdome neuer to be entertain'd
On triuiall probalitities; but when
Hee does appeare in pregnant proofes, not fashion'd
By idle doubts and feares, to be receiu'd,
They make their owne hornes, that are too secure,
As well as such as giue them grouth, and being
From meere imagination. Though I prize
Cleora's honour equall with mine owne;
And know what large additions of power
This match brings to our family; I preferre
Our friendship, and your peace of minde so farre
Aboue my owne respects, or hers, that if
Shee hold not her true value in the test,
'Tis farre from my ambition for her cure,
That you should wound your selfe.
Timandra.
This argues for me.
Timago.
Why she should be so passionate for a Bond-man,
Falls not in compasse of my vnderstanding,
But for some neerer interest: or hee raise
This mutiny, if he lou'd her (as you say,
Shee does confesse, he did) but to enioy
By faire or foule play, what he venter'd for,
Leosthenes.
'Pray you, no more; already
I haue answer'd that obiection in my strong
Assurance of her vertue.
Timagoras.
'Tis vnfit then,
That I should presse it further.
Timand.
Now I must
Timandra steps out distractedly.
Make in, or all is lost.
Timagoras.
What would Timandra?
Leosthenes.
How wilde she lookes? How is it with thy Lady?
Timagoras.
Collect thy selfe, and speake.
Timand.
As you are noble,
Haue pitty, or loue pietie. Oh!
Leosthenes.
Take breath.
Timago.
Out with it boldly.
Timag.
O, the best of Ladyes,
I feare, is gone for euer.
Leosthenes.
Who, Cleora?
Timag.
Deliuer, how. 'Sdeath, be a man, Sir, speake.
Timand.
Take it then in as many sighes, as words
My Lady.
Timag.
What of her?
Timand.
No sooner heard,
Marullo was imprison'd, but she fell
Into a deadly swoune.
Timago.
But shee recouer'd.
Say so, or he will sinke too, hold, Sir, fie,
This is vnmanly.
Timand.
Brought againe to life,
But with much labour; she awhile stood silent,
Yet in that interim vented sighes, as if
They labour'd from the prison of her flesh,
To giue her grieu'd soule freedome. On the sodaine
Transported on the wings of rage, and sorrow,
Shee flew out of the house, and vnattended
Enter'd the common prison.
Leosthenes.
This confirmes
What but before I fear'd.
There you may finde her,
And if you loue her, as a Sister—
Timago.
Damme her.
Timand.
Or you respect her safetie, as a louer,
Procure Marullos libertie.
Timag.
Impudence
Beyond expression.
Leost.
Shall I be a Bawd
To her lust, and my dishonour?
Timand.
Shee'll runne mad else,
Or doe some violent act vpon her selfe.
My Lord her Father, sensible of her suffrings.
Labours to gaine his freedome,
Leost.
O, the Diuell!
Has she bewitch'd him too?
Timago.
I'le heare no more.
Come, Sir, wee'll follow her, and if no perswasion
Can make her take againe her naturall forme,
Which by lusts powerfull spell she has cast off,
This Sword shall dis-inchant her.
Leost.
O my heart-strings!
Exeunt Leost. and Timagoras.
Timandra.
I knew, 'twould take. Pardon me, faire Cleora,
Though I appeare a traytresse, which thou wilt doe
In pitty of my woes, when I make knowne
My lawfull claime, and onely seeke mine owne.
Exit.
SCÆNA II.
Cleora, Iaylor, Pisander.Cleo.
There's for your priuacy. Stay, vnbinde his hands.
Iaylor.
I dare not, Madam.
Cleora.
I will buy thy danger.
Take more gold, doe not trouble me with thankes;
I doe suppose it done.
Exit Iaylor.
Pisander.
My better Angell
Assumes this shape to comfort me, and wisely;
Since from the choyce of all cœlestiall figures,
Hee could not take a visible forme so full
Kneeles.
Cleora.
Rise. I am flesh and blood,
And doe partake thy tortures.
Pisander.
Can it bee?
That charity should perswade you to discend
So farre from your owne height, as to vouchsafe
To looke vpon my suffrings? How I blesse
My fetters now, and stand ingag'd to Fortune
For my captiuity, no, my freedome rather!
For who dares thinke that place a Prison, which
You sanctifie with your presence? or belieue,
Sorrow has power to vse her sting on him,
That is in your compassion arm'd, and made
Impregnable? though tyranny raise at once
All engines to assault him.
Cleora.
Indeed vertue,
With which you haue made euident proofes, that you
Are strongly fortified, cannot fall, though shaken
With the shocke of fierce temptations, but still triumphs
In spight of opposition. For my selfe
I may endeauour to confirme your goodnesse,
(A sure retreate which neuer will deceaue you)
And with vnfayned teares expresse my sorrow,
For what I cannot helpe.
Pisander.
Doe you weepe for mee?
O saue that pretious balme for nobler vses,
I am vnworthy of the smallest drop,
Which in your prodigalitie of pitty
You throw away on me. Tenne of these pearles
Were a large ransome to redeeme a kingdome
From a consuming plague, or stop heauens vengeance
Call'd downe by crying sinnes, though at that instant
In dreadfull flashes falling on the roofes
Of bold blasphemers. I am iustly punish'd
For my intent of violence to such purenesse;
And all the torments flesh is sensible of
A soft and gentle pennance.
Cleora.
Which is ended
Enter Leosthenes and Timagoras.
Leost.
What an obiect
Haue I encounter'd?
Timago.
I am blasted too:
Yet heare a little further.
Pisander.
Could I expire now,
These white and innocent hands closing my eyes thus,
'Twere not to die, but in a heauenly dreame
To be transported, without the helpe of Charon
To the Elizian shades. You make mee bold:
And but to wish such happinesse, I feare,
May giue offence.
Cleora.
No, for, beleeu't, Marullo,
You haue wonne so much vpon me, that I know not
That happinesse in my gift, but you may challenge.
Leosthenes.
Are you yet satisfied?
Cleor.
Nor can you wish,
But what my vowes will second, though it were
Your freedome first, and then in me full power
To make a second tender of my selfe,
And you receiue the present. By this kisse
(From me a virgin bounty) I will practise
All arts for your deliuerance; and that purchas'd
In what concernes your farther aymes, I speake it,
Doe not despaire, but hope.
Timag.
To haue the Hangman,
When he is married to the crosse, in scorne,
To say, gods giue you ioy.
Leost.
But looke on me,
And be not too indulgent to your folly,
And then (but that griefe stops my speech) imagine,
What language I should vse.
Cleora.
Against thy selfe.
Thy malice cannot reach me.
Timag.
How?
Cleora.
So, brother;
Though you ioyne in the Dialogue to accuse me,
What I haue done, I'le iustifie; and these fauours,
Though iealousie vse all her eyes to spie out
One stayne in my behauiour; or Enuy
As many tongues to wound it, shall appeare
My best perfections. For to the world
I can in my defence alleage such reasons,
As my accusers shall stand dumbe to heare 'em,
When in his Fetters this mans worth and vertues
But truly told shall shame your boasted glories,
Which fortune claimes a share in.
Timag.
The base villaine
Shall neuer liue to heare it.
Enter Archid: Diphilus, and Officers.
Cleora.
Murther, helpe,
Through me you shall passe to him.
Archid.
What's the matter?
On whom is your Sword drawne? are you a iudge?
Or else ambitious of the hangmans office
Before it be design'd you? you are bold too,
Vnhand my daughter.
Leost.
Shee's my valours prize.
Archid.
With her consent, not otherwise. You may vrge
Your title in the Court; if it proue good,
Possesse her freely: Guard him safely off too.
Timago.
You'll heare me, Sir?
Archid.
If you haue ought to say,
Deliuer it in publike; all shall finde
A iust Iudge of Timoleon.
Diphilus.
You must
Of force now vse your patience.
Exeunt omnes præter Leost and Timag.
Timag.
Vengeance rather
Whirle-windes of rage possesse mee; you are wrong'd
Beyound a Stoicque sufferance, yet you stand,
As you were rooted.
Leost.
I feele something here,
That boldly tells mee, all the loue and seruice,
I pay Cleora, is another due,
And therefore cannot prosper.
Timag.
Melancholy,
Leosthenes.
'Tis apparent,
In fact your Sisters innocent, howeuer
Chang'd by her violent will.
Timagoras.
If you belieue so,
Follow the chase still: And in open court
Plead your owne interest; we shall finde the Iudge
Our friend I feare not.
Leosthenes.
Something I shall say,
But what—
Timag.
Collect your selfe, as we walke thither.
Exeunt.
SCÆNA Vltima.
Timoleon, Archidamus, Cleon, Officers.
Timoleon.
Tis wondrous strange! nor can it fall within
The reach of my beliefe, a slaue should be
The owner of a temperance, which this age
Can hardly paralell in free-borne Lords,
Or Kings proud of their purple.
Archid.
'Tis most true.
And though at first it did appeare a fable,
All circumstances meet to giue it credit;
Which work so on me, that I am compel'd
To be a Sutor, not be deni'de,
Hee may haue æquall hearing.
Cleora.
Sir, you grac'd mee
With the title of your Mistrisse, but my fortune
Is so farre distant from command, that I
Lay by the power you gaue me, and plead humbly
For the preseruer of my fame and honour.
And pray you, Sir, in charity beleeue,
That since I had ability of speach,
My tongue has so much beene enur'd to truth,
I know not, how to lye,
Timoleon.
Ill rather doubt
The Oracles of the gods, then question, what
Your innocence deliuers: and as farre
He shall haue fauour. Bring him in, vnbound:
Exeunt Officers.
And though Leosthenes may challenge from me,
For his late worthy seruice, credit to
All things he can alleage in his owne cause,
Marullo (so I thinke you call his name)
Shall finde, I doe reserue one eare for him,
To let in mercy. Sit and take your places;
Enter Cleon, Asotus, Diphilus, Olimpia, Corisca.
The right of this faire virgin first determin'd,
Your Bond-men shall be censur'd.
Cleon.
With all rigour,
We doe expect.
Corisca.
Temper'd, I say, with mercie.
Enter at one dore Leosthenes Timagoras at the other Officers with Pisander and Timandra.
Timol.
Your hand Leosthenes: I cannot doubt
You that haue bin victorious in the war,
should in a combat fought with words come off,
But with assured triumph.
Leosthenes.
My deserts, Sir,
(If without arrogance I may stile them such)
Arme me from doubt, and feare.
Timoleon.
'Tis nobly spoken,
Nor be thou daunted (howsoe're the fortune
Has mark'd thee out a slaue) to speake thy merits;
For vertue though in raggs may challenge more,
Then vice set off with all the trimme of greatnesse.
Pisander.
I had rather fall vnder so iust a iudge,
Then be acquitted by a man corrupt
And partiall in his censure.
Archida.
Note his language,
It relishes of better breeding then
His present state dares promise.
Timoleon.
I obserue it.
Place the faire Lady in the midst, that both
Looking with couetous eies vpon the prize
They are to plead for, may from the faire obiect,
Teach Hermes eloquence.
Leosthenes.
Am I fall'n so lowe
My birth, my honour, and what's dearest to me,
So vnder-valewd, that I must contend
With one, where my excesse of glory must
Make his o'rethrow a conquest? shall my fulnesse
supply defects in such a thing, that neuer
Knew any thing but want and emptinesse?
Giue him a name, and keepe it such from this
Vnequall competition? if my pride
Or any bold assurance of my worth,
Has pluck'd this mountaine of disgrace vpon me,
I am iustly punish'd, and submit; but if
I haue beene modest, and esteem'd my selfe
More iniur'd in the tribute of the praise,
Which no desert of mine priz'd by selfe-loue
Euer exacted; may this cause, and minute
For euer be forgotten. I dwell long
Vpon mine anger, and now turne to you
Ingratefull faire one; and since you are such,
'Tis lawfull for me to proclaime my selfe,
And what I haue deseru'd.
Cleora.
Neglect, and scorne
From me for this proud vaunt.
Leosthenes.
You nourish, Lady
Your owne dishonour in this harsh replie,
And almost proue what some hold of your sex.
You are all made vp of passion. For if reason
Or iudgement could finde entertainment with you,
Or that you would distinguish of the obiects
You looke on in a true glasse, not seduc'd
By the false light of your too violent will,
I should not need to plead for that, which you
With ioy should offer. Is my high birth a blemish?
Or does my wealth, which all the vaine expence
Of women cannot waste, breed loathing in you?
The honours I can call mine owne thought scandals?
Am I deform'd, or for my Fathers sinnes
Mulcted by nature? if you interpret these
As crimes, 'tis fit I should yeeld vp my selfe
(Which yet I would not credit) you haue seene
This gallant, pitch the barre, or beare a burthen
Would cracke the shoulders of a weaker bond-man;
Or any other boistrous exercise,
Assuring a strong backe to satisfie
Yout loose desires, insatiate as the graue.
Cleora.
You are foule mouth'd.
Archid.
Ill manner'd too.
Leost.
I speake
In the way of supposition, and intreate you
With all the feruor of a constant louer,
That you would free your selfe from these aspersions,
Or any imputation blacke tongu'd Slaunder
Could throwe on your vnspotted virgin-whitenesse;
To which there is no easier way, then by
Vouchsafing him your fauour; him, to whom
Next to the Generall, and the gods, and fautors,
The countrie owes her safetie.
Timagoras.
Are you stupid?
'Slight leape into his armes, and there aske pardon.
O, you expect your slaues reply, no doubt
We shall haue a fine oration; I will teach
My Spaniell to howle in sweeter language,
And keepe a better method.
Archid.
You forget
The dignitie of the place.
Diphi.
Silence.
Timo.
Speake boldly.
Pisander.
'Tis your authority giues me a tongue,
I should be dumbe else; and I am secure,
I cannot cloathe my thoughts, and iust defence
In such an abiect phrase, but 'twill appeare
Equall, if not aboue my lowe condition.
I need no bombast language, stolne from such,
As make Nobilitie from prodigious termes
The hearers vnderstand not; I bring with me
No wealth to boast of, neither can I number
I dare not force affection, or presume
To censure her discretion, that lookes on mee
As a weake man, and not her fancies Idoll.
How I haue lou'd, and how much I haue suffer'd,
And with what pleasure vndergone the burthen
Of my ambitious hopes (in ayming at
The glad possession of a happinesse,
The abstract of all goodnesse in mankinde
Can at no part deserue) with my confession
Of mine owne wants, is all that can plead for me.
But if that pure desires, not blended with
Foule thoughts, that like a Riuer keepes his course,
Retaining still the cleerenesse of the spring,
From whence it tooke beginning, may be thought
Worthy acceptance; then I dare rise vp
And tell this gay man to his teeth, I neuer
Durst doubt her constancie, that like a rocke
Beats off temptations, as that mocks the fury
Of the proud waues; nor from my iealous feares
Question that goodnesse, to which as an Altar
Of all perfection, he that truly lou'd,
Should rather bring a sacrifice of seruice,
Then raze it with the engines of suspition;
Of which when he can wash an Æthiope white,
Leosthenes may hope to free himselfe;
But till then neuer.
Timago.
Bold presumptuous villaine.
Pisan.
I will go farther, and make good vpon him
In the pride of all his honours, birth, and fortunes,
Hee's more vnworthy, then my selfe.
Leosthenes.
Thou lyest.
Timago.
Confute him with a whippe, and the doubt decided,
Punish him with a halter.
Pisander.
O the gods!
My ribs, though made of Brasse can not containe
My heart swolne big with rage. The lye! Whippe?
Plucks off his disguise.
Let fury then disperse these clouds, in which
Whom they haue iniur'd, they may faint with horror
Of my reuenge, which wretched men expect,
As sure as fate to suffer.
Leosthenes.
Ha! Pisander!
Timagoras.
'Tis the bold Theban!
Asotus.
There's no hope for me then:
I thought I should haue put in for a share,
And borne Cleora from them both; but now
This stranger lookes so terrible, that I dare not
So much as looke on her.
Pisander.
Now as my selfe,
Thy equall, at thy best, Leosthenes.
For you, Timagoras; praise heau'n, you were borne
Cleora's brother, 'tis your safest armour.
But I loose time. The base lie cast vpon me,
I thus returne: thou art a periur'd man,
False and perfidious: And hast made a tender
Of loue, and seruice to this Lady; when
Thy soule (if thou hast any) can beare witnesse,
That thou wert not thine owne. For proofe of this,
Looke better on this virgin, and consider
This Persian shape laid by, and she appearing
In a Greekish dresse, such as when first you saw her,
If she resemble not Pisanders sister,
One, call'd Statilia?
Leosthenes.
'Tis the same! my guilt
So chokes my spirits, I can not denie
My falshood, nor excuse it.
Pisander.
This is shee
To whom thou wert contracted: this the Lady,
That when thou wert my prisoner fairely taken
In the Spartan warre, that beg'd thy libertie,
And with it gaue her selfe to thee vngratefull.
Timand.
No more, Sir, I intreate you; I perceiue
True sorrow in his lookes, and a consent
To make me reparation in mine honour,
And then I am most happy.
The wrong done her,
Drew mee from Thebes with a full intent to kill thee:
But this faire obiect, met me in my furie
And quite disarm'd me, being deni'd to haue her
By you my Lord Archidamus, and not able
To liue farre from her, loue (the Mistrisse of
All quaint deuices, prompted me to treat
With a friend of mine, who as a Pirate sold me
For a slaue to you my Lord, and gaue my Sister
As a present to Cleora.
Timoleon.
Strange Meanders!
Pisan.
There how I bare my selfe needs no relation.
But if so farre descending from the height
Of my then flourishing fortunes, to the lowest
Condition of a man, to haue meanes only
To feed my eye, with the sight of what I honour'd,
The dangers to I vnderwent; the suffrings;
The cleerenesse of my interest may deserue
A noble recompence in your lawfull fauour.
Now 'tis apparent that Leosthenes
Can claime no interest in you, you may please
To thinke vpon my seruice.
Cleora.
Sir, my want
Of power to satisfie so great a debt,
Makes me accuse my fortune; but if that
Out of the bountie of your minde, you thinke,
A free surrender of my selfe full payment,
I gladly tender it.
Archidamus.
With my consent to
All iniuries forgotten.
Timagoras.
I will studie
In my future seruice to descerue your fauour
And good opinion.
Leosthenes.
Thus I gladly fee
Kissing Statilia.
This Aduocate to plead for me.
Pisander.
You will finde me
An easie iudge, when I haue yeelded reasons
Of your Bond-mens falling off from their obedience,
I found their natures apt to mutinie
From your too cruell vsage; and made triall
How farre they might be wrought on; to instruct you
To looke with more preuention, and care
To what they may hereafter vndertake
Vpon the like occasions. The hurt's little
They haue committed, nor was euer cuer
But with some paine effected. I confesse
In hope to force a grant of faire Cleora
I vrg'd them to defend the Towne against you;
Nor had the terror of your whips, but that
I was preparing of defence else-where
So soone got entrance; in this I am guiltie,
Now as you please, your censure.
Timoleon.
Bring them in,
And though you haue giu'n me power, I doe intreate
Such as haue vndergone their insolence,
It may not be offensiue though I studie
Pitty more then reuenge.
Corisca.
'Twill best become you.
Cleon.
I must consent.
Asotus.
For me I'le finde a time
To be reueng'd hereafter.
Gracculo, Cimbrio, Poliphron, Zanthia, and the rest with Halters.
Gracculo.
Giue me leaue,
I'le speake for all.
Timoleon.
What canst thou say to hinder
The course of iustice?
Gracculo.
Nothing. You may see
Wee are prepar'd for hanging, and confesse
We haue deseru'd it. Our most humble suite is
We may not twice be executed.
Timoleon.
'Twice? how meanest thou!
At the Gallowes first, and after in a Ballad
About the Towne growne fat on these occasions.
Let but a Chappell fall, or a street be fir'd,
A foolish louer hang himselfe for pure loue,
Or any such like accident, and before
They are cold in their graues, some damn'd Dittie's made
Which makes their ghosts walke. Let the State take order
For the redresse of this abuse, recording
'Twas done by my aduice, and for my part
I'le cut as cleane a caper from the Ladder,
As euer merry Greeke did.
Timoleon.
Yet I thinke
You would shew more actiuity to delight
Your Master for a pardon.
Gracculo.
O, I would dance.
Capers.
As I were all ayre, and fire.
Timoleon.
And euer be
Obedient and humble?
Gracculo.
As his Spaniell,
Though he kickt me for exercise, and the like
I promise for all the rest.
Timoleon.
Rise then, you haue it.
All slaues.
Timoleon, Timoleon!
Timoleon.
Cease these clamors.
And now the warre being ended to our wishes,
And such as went the pilgrimage of loue,
Happy in full fruition of their hopes,
'Tis lawfull thankes paid to the powers diuine,
To drowne our cares in honest mirth, and Wine.
Exeunt.
FINJS.
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