 | The Vnnatvrall Combat |  |
Actus primus
Scæna prima.
Montrevile, Theocrine, Usher, Page, wayting Women.Montrevile.
Now to bee modest Madam, when your are
A suitor for your father, would appeare,
Courser then bouldnesse you a while must part with soft silence, and the blushings of a virgin,
Though I must grant (did not this cause cōmand it) They are rich jewells you have ever worne
To all mens admiration, in this age,
If by our owne forc'd importunity,
Or others purchasd intercession, or
Corrupting bribes we can make our approches
To justice guarded, from us by sterne power,
We blesse the meanes, and industry.
Ush.
Heres musicke
Or aaten Mandrakes, let commanders talke
Of cannons to make breaches, give but fire
To this petarde, it shall blow open Madam
The iron doores of a judge, and make you entrance,
When they (let them doe what they can) with all
Their mines, their culverins, and Basiliscos
Shall coole their feete without, this being the pickelocke
That never failes.
Mon.
Tis true, gold can doe much,
But beauty more, were I the governour,
Though the Admirall your father stood convicted
Of what he's only doubted, halfe a dozen
Of sweet close kisses from these cherry lips,
With some short active conference in private,
Should signe his generall pardon.
Theo.
These light words sir
Doe ill become the weight of my sad fortune
And I much wonder you that doe professe
Your selfe to be my fathers bosome friend,
Can raise mirth from his misery.
Mon.
You mistake me,
I share in his calamity, and only
Deliver my thoughts freely, what I should doe
For such a rare petitioner, and if
Youle follow the directions, I prescribe
With my best judgement I'll marke out the way
For his inlargement.
Theo.
With all reall joy,
I shall put what you counsell into act,
Provided it be honest.
Mon.
Honesty
In a faire she client (trust to my experience)
Seldome or never prospers, the world's wicked.
Wee are men, not saints sweet Lady, you must practice
The manners of the time, if you intend
To have favour from it, do not deceive your selfe
Of chastity and vertue, bid your wayters
Stand farther of, and i'll come neerer to you.
2. Wom.
Some wicked counsaile on my life.
2. Wom.
Nere doubt it,
If it proceed from him.
Page.
I wonder that
My Lord so much affects him.
Ush.
Thou art a child and dost not understand on what strong
bases this frindship's raisd between this Mountrevile and our Lord
Monsieur. Malefort, but ile teach thee from thy yeares they have
been joynt purchasers, in furs, & water-works, and truckt together.
Page.
In fire and waterworks,
Vsh.
Commodities boy
Which you may know hereafter.
Page.
And deale in 'em
When the trade has given you over, as appeares (by the increase of
your high forehead.
Vsh.
Heare's a cracke,
I thinke they sucke this knowledge in their milke.
Page.
I had had an ignorant nurse else. I have tide sir
My Ladies garter, and can ghesse.
Ush.
Peace infant,
Theocrine falls off.
Tales out a schoole take heed you will be britchd else.
1. Wom.
My Ladies colour changes.
2. Wom.
She falls off too.
Theo.
You are a naughty man, indeed you are,
And I will sooner perish with my father
Then at this price redeeme him.
Mon.
Take your owne way,
Your modest legall way, tis not your vayle
Nor mourning habit, nor these creatures taught
To howle, and cry, when you beginne to whimper,
Nor following my Lords coach in the dirt,
Nor that with you relie upon, a bribe
Will doe it when there's something he likes better.
That had seaven yeares together tirde the court
With tedious petitions and clamors,
For the recovery of a strangling husband,
To pay forsooth the duties of one to her,
But for a Lady of your tempting beauties,
Your youth and ravishing features to hope only
In such a suite as this is, to gaine favor
Without exchange of courtesie, you conceive me,
Were madnes at the height, heres brave yong Beaufort
Enter Beaufort and Belgarde.
The meteor of Marsellis, one that houlds
The governour his fathers will and power
In more awe then his owne, come, come advance,
Present your bag cramm'd with crowns of the sunne,
Doe you thinke he cares for money? he loves pleasure,
Burne your petition, burne it, he dotes on you,
Upon my knowledge, to his cabinet, doe
And hee will point you out a certaine course,
Be the cause right or wrong to have your father
Releasd with much facility.
Exit Montrevile.
Theo.
Doe you heare?
Take a pander with you.
Iu. Beauf.
I tell thee there is neither
Imployment yet nor money.
Belg.
I have commanded
And spent my owne meanes in my countries service,
In hope to raise a fortune.
Iu. Beauf.
Many have hop'd so,
But hopes prove seldome certainties with souldiers.
Belg.
If no preferment, let me but receive
My pay that is behinde, to set me up
A taverne, or a vaulting house; while men love
Or drunkennesse, or lechery, they'l nere fayle me:
Shall I have that?
Iu. Beauf.
As our prises are brought in,
Till then you must be patient.
Belg.
In the meane time,
Ju. Beauf.
As most captaines doe
Philosopher like, carry all you have about you.
Belg.
But how shall I do to satisfie, Calon Mounsieur,
There lies the doubt.
Iu. Beauf.
Thats easily decided,
My fathers tables free for any man
That hath borne armes.
Belg.
And theres good store of meat?
Iu. Beauf.
Never feare that.
Belg.
I'le seeke no other ordinarie then,
But be his daily ghest without invitement,
And if my stomacke hould, Ile feed so heartily
As he shall pay me suddainely to be quit of me.
Ju. Beauf.
Tis shee.
Belg.
And further.
Iu. Beauf.
Away you are troublesome,
Designes of more weight.
Belg.
Ha faire Theocrine,
Nay if a velvet peticote move in the front
Buffe jerkins must to the rere, I know my manners
This is indeed great businesse, mine a gugawe
I may dance attendance, this must be dispatchd,
And suddainly, or all will goe to wracke.
Charge her home in the flank my Lord, nay I am gone sir,
Exit. Belgarde
Iu. Beauf.
Nay pray you Madam rise, or I'll kneele with you.
Page.
I would bring you on your knees, were I a woman.
Iu. Beauf.
What is it can deserve so poore a name,
As a suite to me? this more then mortall forme
Was fashioned to command and not intreate,
Your will but knowne is served.
Theo.
Great Sir, my father
My brave deserving father, but that sorrow
Forbids the use of speech.
Iu. Beauf.
I understand you,
Without the ayds of those interpreters
That fall from your faire eies, I know you labour,
an equall hearing to acquit himselfe:
and 'tis not to endeere my service to you,
though I must adde and pray you with patience heare it,
'tis hard to be effected, in respect
the State's incens'd against him: all presuming
the world of outrages his impious sonne,
turn'd worse than Pirat in his cruelties
expres'd to this poore Countrey, could not be
with such ease put in execution, if
your father (of late our great Admirall)
held not or correspondencie, or conniv'd
at his proceedings.
Theoc.
And must he then suffer,
his cause unheard?
Beauf. jun.
As yet it is resolv'd so,
in their determination. But suppose,
for I would nourish hope, not kill it in you,
I should divert the torrent of their purpose,
and render them that are implacable,
impartiall Judges, and not sway'd with spleene:
will you, I dare not say in recompence,
for that includes a debt you cannot owe me,
but in your liberall bountie, in my suit
to you be gracious?
Theoc.
You entreat of me, Sir,
what I should offer to you, with confession
that you much undervalue your owne worth,
should you receive me. Since there come with you
not lustfull fires, but faire and lawfull flames.
but I must be excus'd, 'tis now no time
for me to thinke of Hymenæall joyes.
Can he (and pray you, Sir, consider it)
that gave me life, and faculties to love,
be, as he is now ready to be devour'd
by ravenous wolves, and at that instant, I
but entertaine a thought of those delights.
dutie and pietie forbid it, Sir.
Beauf. jun.
But this effected, and your father free,
what is your answer?
Theoc.
Everie minute to me
will be a tedious age till our embraces
are warrantable to the world.
Beauf. jun.
I urge no more, confirme it with a kisse.
Theoc.
I doubly seale it.
Usher.
This would doe better a bed, the businesse ended,
they are the lovingest Couple.
Enter Beaufort senior, the Governour Montaigne, Chamont, Lanour.
Beauf. jun.
Here comes my father
with the Councell of war, deliver your petition,
and leave the rest to me.
Beauf. sen.
I am sorrie, Lady,
your fathers guilt compels your innocence
to aske what I in justice must denie.
Beauf. jun.
For my sake, Sir, pray you receive, and read it.
Beauf. sen.
Thou foolish boy, I can deny thee nothing.
Beauf. jun.
Thus far we are happie. Madam quit the place,
you shall heare how we succeed.
Theoc.
Goodnesse reward you.
Exeunt Theocrine, Vsher, Page, Women.
Mont.
It is apparent, and we stay too long
to censure Malefort as he deserves.
Cham.
There is no colour of reason that makes for him:
had he discharg'd the trust committed to him,
with that experience and fidelitie
he practis'd heretofore, it could not be
our Navie should be block'd up, and in our sight
our goods made prize, our Sailors sold for slaves,
by his prodigious issue.
Lan.
I much grieve,
after so many brave and high atchievements,
he should in one ill forfeit all the good
he ever did his Countrey.
Well, 'tis granted.
Beauf. jun.
I humbly thanke you, Sir.
Beauf sen.
He shall have hearing,
his irons too strucke off, bring him before us;
but seeke no further favour.
Beauf. jun.
Sir, I dare not.
Exit Beauf. jun.
Beauf. sen.
Monsieur Chamont, Montaigne, Lanour, assistants
by a Commission from the most Christian King
in punishing, or freeing Malefort
our late great Admirall: though I know you need not
instructions from me, how to dispose of
your selves in this mans triall (that exacts
your cleerest judgements) give me leave with favour
to offer my opinion: we are to heare him,
a little looking backe on his faire actions,
loyall, and true demeanour, not as now
by the generall voyce, already he's condemn'd.
But if we finde (as most beleeve) he hath held
intelligence with his accursed sonne,
falne off from all allegeance, and turn'd
(but for what cause we know not) the most bloudy
and fatall enemie, this Countrey ever
repented to have brought forth, all compassion
of what he was, or may be, if now pardon'd,
we sit ingag'd to censure him with all
extremitie and rigour.
Cha.
Your Lordship shewes us
a path which we will tread in.
Lan.
He that leaves
to follow, as you lead, will lose himselfe.
Mont.
I'le not be singular.
Enter Beausort junior, Montreville, Malefort sen. Belgarde, Officers.
Beauf. sen.
He comes, but with
a strange distracted looke.
Mal. sen.
Live I once more
to see these hands and armes fre? these, that often
Have beene as sea-markes to teach such as were
Seconds in my attempts, to steere betweene
The rocks of too much daring, and pale feare,
To reach the Port of victory? When my sword,
Advancd thus, to my enemies appear'd
A hairy comet, threatenning death and ruine
To such as durst behold it. These the legs
That when our ship were grappl'd, carried me
With such swift motion from decke to decke,
As they that saw it, with amazment cri'd;
He does not runne, but flies.
Montre.
He still retaines
The greatnesse of his spirit.
Mal. sen.
Now crampt with irons,
Hunger, and could, they hardly doe support me.
But I forget my selfe. O my good Lords
That sit there as my judges to determine
The life and death of Malefort, where are now
Those shoutes, those chearefull lookes, those loud applauses
With which when I return'd loaden with spoile
You entertain'd your Admirall? all's forgotten,
And I stand here to give accompt for that
Of which I am as free, and innocent
As he that never saw the eyes of him,
For whom I stand suspected.
Beauf. sen.
Monsieur Malefort
Let not your passion so farre transport you
As to believe from any private malice,
Or envie to your person you are question'd,
Nor doe the suppositions want waight,
That doe invite us to a strong assurance,
Your sonne.
Mal. sen.
My shame.
Beauf. sen.
Pray you heare with patience, ever
Without assistance, or sure aids from you,
Could with the pirates of Argers and Tunis,
acquire such credit, as with them to be
made absolute commander? (pray you observe me)
if there had not some contract pass'd betweene you,
that when occasion serv'd you would joyne with 'em
to the ruine of Marcellis?
Mont.
More, what urg'd
your sonne to turne Apostata?
Cham.
Had he from
the State, or Governour, the least neglect
which envie could interpret for a wrong?
Lan.
Or if you slept not in your charge, how could
so many ships as doe infest our Coast
and have in our owne Harbor shut our Navie
come in unfought with?
Beauf. jun.
They put him hardly to it.
Mal. sen.
My Lords, with as much brevitie as I can,
I'll answer each particular objection
with which you charge me. The maior ground, on which
you raise the building of your accusation,
hath reference to my sonne: should I now curse him,
or wish in th'agonie of my troubled soule,
lightning had found him in his mothers womb
you'll say is from the purpose, and I therefore
betake him to the Devill, and so leave him.
Did never loyall father but my selfe
beget a treacherous issue? was't in me
with as much ease to fashion up his minde,
as in his generation to forme
the organs to his body? must it follow
because that he is impious, I am false?
I would not boast my actions, yet tis lawfull
to upbraid my benefits to unthankfull men.
Who suncke the Turkish gallies in the Straights.
but Malefort? who rescu'd the French Merchants,
when they were boorded, and stowed under hatches
by the Pirats of Argiert, when everie minute
but your now doubted Admirall? then you fill'd
the aire with shouts of joy, and did proclaime
when hope had left them, and grim-look'd Despaire
hover'd with saile-stretcht wings over their heads,
to me, as to the Neptune of the Sea,
they ow'd the restitution of their goods,
their lives, their liberties. O can it then
be probable, my Lords, that he that never
became the master of a Pirats ship,
but at the maine yard hung the Captaine up,
and caus'd the rest to be throwne over boord,
should after all these proofes of deadly hate,
so oft expres'd against 'em, entertaine
a thought of quarter with 'em, but much lesse
(to the perpetuall ruine of my glories)
to joyne with them to lift a wicked arme
against my mother Countrey, this Marsellis,
which with my prodigall expence of bloud
I have so oft protected.
Beauf. sen.
What you have done
is granted, and applauded, but yet know
this glorious relation of your actions
must not so blinde our judgements, as to suffer
this most unnaturall crime you stand accus'd of,
to passe unquestion'd.
Cham.
No, you must produce
reasons of more validitie, and weight,
to plead in your defence, or we shall hardly
conclude you innocent.
Mont.
The large volume of
your former worthy deeds, with your experience,
both what, and when to doe, but makes against you.
Lan.
For had your care and courage beene the same
as heretofore, the dangers we are plung'd in
had beene with ease prevented.
Mal. sen.
What have I
Even in the birth to strangle the designes
Of this hell-bred wolfe my sonne? alas my Lords,
I am no god, nor like him could foresee
His cruell thoughts, and cursed purposes,
Nor would the sun at my command forbeare
To make his progresse to the other world,
Affording to us one continued light.
Nor could my breath dispresse those foggie mists
Coverde with which, and darkenesse of the night,
Their navie undiscernd, without resistance
Beset our harbor? make not that my fault,
Which you in justice must ascribe to fortune.
But if that nor my former acts, nor what
I have deliverd, can prevaile with you
To make good my integritie and truth:
Rip up this bosome, and plucke out the heart
That hath beene ever loyall.
Beauf. sen.
How! a trumpet!
A trumpet within.
Enquire the cause.
Montrevle goes off.
Mal.
Thou searcher of mens hearts,
And sure defender of the innocent,
(My other crying sinnes, a while not lookd on)
If I in this am guiltie strike me dead,
Or by some unexpected meanes confirme,
I am accusd unjustly.
Enter Montrevile and a sea Captaine.
Beauf. sen.
Speake the motives
That brings thee hither.
Capt.
From our Admirall thus,
He does salute you fairely, and desires
It may be understood no publike hate,
Hath brought him to Marsellis, nor seekes he
The ruine of his countrie, but aimes only
To wreake a private wrong; and if from you
He may have leave, and liberty to decide it
In a single combate, he'll give up good pledges
Wee shall waigh anchor and no more molest
This towne with hostile armes.
Beauf. sen.
Speake to the man,
(If in this presence he appeare to you)
To whom you bring this challenge.
Cap.
Tis to you;
Beauf. sen.
His father!
Montre.
Can it be!
Beauf. sen.
Strange and prodigious.
Mal. sen.
Thou seest I stand unmovd were thy voice thunder
It should not shake mee, say what would the viper?
Cap.
The reverence a fathers name may challenge,
And duty of a sonne, no more remembred
He does defie thee to the death.
Mal. sen.
Goe on.
Cap.
And with his sword well prove it on thy head,
Thou art a murtherer, an Atheist
And that all attributes of men turnd furies
Cannot expresse thee, this he will make good
If thou darst give him meeting.
Mal. sen.
Dare I live,
Dare I when mountaines of my sins orewhelme me
At my last gaspe aske for mercie? how I blesse
Thy comming Captaine, never man to me
Arriv'd so opportunely; and thy message,
However it may seeme to threaten death,
Does yield to mee a second life in curing
My wounded honour, stand I yet suspected
As a confederate with this enemie,
VVhom of all men, against all ties of nature
He markes out for destruction? you are just
Immortall powers, and in this merciful,
And it takes from any sorrow, and my shame
For being the father to so bad a sonne,
In that you are pleasd to offer up the monster
To my correction. Blush and repent
Your ill opinions of me, not great Brutus
The father of the Roman liberty
With more assured constancy beheld
His traytor sons, for labouring to call home
The banished Tarquins, scourgd with rods to death,
Then I will show when I take backe the life
This prodigie of mankinde receivd from me.
Beauf. sen.
We are sory Monsieur Malefort for our errour
And are much taken with your resolution
But the disparity of yeares, and strength
Between you, and your sonne, duely considerd
We would not so expose you.
Mal. sen.
Then you kill me
Under pretence to save me. O my Lords
As you love honour, and a wrongd mans fame
Denie me not this faire, and noble meanes
To make me right againe to all the world.
Should any other but my selfe be chosen
To punish this Apostata with death,
You rob a wretched father of a justice
That to all after times will be recorded,
I wish his strength were centuple, his skill equall
To my experience, that in his fall
He may not shame my victory, I feele
The powers, and spirits of twenty strong men in me.
Were hee with wild fire circl'd, I undaunted
Would make way to him, as you doe affect Sir
My daughter Theocrine, as you are
My true and ancient friend, as thou art valiant,
And as all love a souldier, second me
They all sue to the governour.
In this my just petition, in your lookes
I see a grant my Lord.
Beauf. sen.
You shall orebeare me,
And since you are so confident in your cause,
Prepare you for the combate.
Mal. sen.
With more joy
The disobedient rebell shall heare from me
And so returne in safety, my good Lords,
To all my service, I will die or purchase
Rest to Marsellis, nor can I make doubt,
But his impietie is a potent charme,
To edge my sword and adde strength to my arme.
Exeunt.
| The Vnnatvrall Combat | |