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Scæna, 2.
Enter Domitia, and Parthenius.Domit.
To me this reuerence?
Parth.
I pay it Ladie
As a debt due to her thats Cæsars mistris.
For vnderstand with ioy he that commands
All that the Sunne giues warmth to, is your seruant.
Be not amaz'd, but fit you to your fortunes.
Thinke vpon state, and greatnesse, and the Honours
That warre vpon Augusta, for that name
Ere long comes to you: still you doubt your vassall,
But when you haue read this letter, writ, and sign'd
With his imperiall hand, you will be freed
From feare, and jealousie and I beseech you,
When all the beauties of the earth bowe to you,
And Senators shall take it for an honour,
As I doe now to kisse these happie feete;
When euery smile you giue is a preferment,
And you dispose of Prouinces to your creatures,
Thinke on Parthenius.
Domit.
Rise. I am transported,
And hardly dare beleeue what is assur'd here.
The meanes, my good Parthenius, that wrought Cæsar
(Our God on earth) to cast an eye of fauour
Vpon his humble handmaide!
Parth.
What but your beautie?
When nature fram'd you for her master peece,
As the pure abstract of all rare in woman,
To the most eminent place. I will not say
(For it would smell of arrogance to insinuate
The seruice I haue done you) with what zeale
I oft haue made relation of your Vertues,
Or how I haue sung your goodnesse or how Cæsar
Was fir'd with the relation of your storie,
I am rewarded in the acte, and happie
In that my proiect prosper'd.
Domit.
You are modest,
And were it in my power I would to be thankefull.
If that when I was mistris of my selfe,
And in my way of youth, pure, and vntainted,
The Emperour had vouchsaf'd to seeke my fauours,
I had with ioy giuen vp my virgin fort
At the first summons to his soft embraces:
But I am now anothers, not mine owne.
You know I haue a husband, for my honour
I would not be his strumpet, and how lawe
Can bee dispenc'd with to become his wife.
To mee's a riddle.
Parth.
I can soone resolue it.
When power puts in his Plea the lawes are silenc'd,
The world confesses one Rome, and one Cæsar,
And as his rules is infinite, his pleasures
Are vnconfin'd; this sillable his will
Stands for a thousand reasons,
Domit.
But with safetie,
Suppose I should consent, how can I doe it,
My husband is a Senator of a temper,
Not to be iested with.
Enter Lamia.
Parth.
As if hee durst
Be Cæsars riuall. Heere he comes, with ease
I will remoue this scruple.
Lam.
How! so priuate!
Mine owne house made a brothell! Sir how durst you,
Though gaurded with your power in Court, and greatnesse,
Hould conference with my wife? as for your Minion
Parth.
You are rude, and sawcie,
Nor know to whom you speake.
Lam.
This is fine ifaith!
Parth.
Your wife? but touch her, that respect forgotten
That's due to her, whom mightiest Cæsar fauours
And thinke what 'tis to die. Not to loose time.
She's Cæsars choice. It is sufficient honor
You were his taster in this heauenly nectar,
But now must quit the office.
Lam.
This is rare.
Cannot a man be master of his wife
Because she's young, and faire, without a pattent.
I in mine owne house am an Emperour,
And will defend whats mine, where are my knaues?
If such an insolence escape vnpunish'd.
Parth.
In your selfe Lamia. Cæsar hath forgot
To vse his power, and I his instrument,
In whom though absent, his authoritie speakes,
Haue lost my faculties.
Stampes.
Lam.
The Guard! why am I
Enter a Centurion with Souldiers.
Design'd for death?
Domit.
As you desire my fauour
Take not so rough a course.
Parth.
All your desires
Are absolute commaunds. Yet giue me leaue
To put the will of Cæsar into acte.
Heer's a bill of Diuorce betweene your Lordship,
And this great Lady. If you refuse to signe it,
And so as if you did it vncompell'd,
Wonne to it by reasons that concerne your selfe,
Her honour to vntainted. Here are Clearkes.
Shall in your best bloud write it newe, till torture
Compell you to performe it.
Lam.
Is this legall?
Par.
Monarchs that dare not doe vnlawfull things,
Yet bare them out are Constables, not Kings
Parth.
Will you dispute?
I know not what to vrge
Against my selfe, but too much dotage on her
Loue and obseruance.
Parth.
Set it vnder your hand
That you are impotent, and cannot pay
The duties of a husband, or that you are mad
(Rather then want iust cause wee'l make you so)
Dispatch, you know the danger els, deliuer it
Nay on your knee. Madam you now are free
And Mistris of your selfe.
Lam.
Can you Domitia
Consent to this?
Domit.
'Twould argue a base minde
To liue a seruant, when I may commaund.
I now am Cæsars, and yet in respect
I once was yours, when you come to the Pallace,
(Prouided you deserue it in your seruice)
You shall find me your good Mistris, waite me Parthenius
And now farewell poore Lamia.
Exeunt omnes preter Longinum.
Lam.
To the Gods
I bend my knees, (for tyrannie hath banish'd
Iustice from men) and as they would deserue
Their Altars, and our vowes, humbly inuoke 'em
That this my rauish'd wife may proue as fatall
To proud Domitian, and her embraces
Affoord him in the end as little ioy,
As wanton Helen brought to him of Troy.
Exit.
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