 | The Roman Actor |  |
ACTVS, IIII.
SCÆNA, 1.
Enter Parthenius, Iulia, Domitilla, Cænis.Parth.
Why 'tis impossible Paris?
Iul.
You obseru'd not
(As it appeares) the violence of her passion,
When personating Iphis, he pretended
(For your contempt faire Anaxerete)
To hang himselfe.
Parth.
Yes, yes, I noted that;
But neuer could imagine it could worke her
To such a strange intemperance of affection,
As to dote on him.
Domit.
By my hopes I thinke not
That she respects though all heere saw, and mark'd it
Presuming she can mould the Emperours will
Into what forme she likes, though we, and all
Th'informers of the world conspir'd to crosse it.
Cæn.
Then with what eagernesse this morning vrging
The want of health, and rest, she did intreate
Cæsar to leaue her.
Domit.
Who no sooner absent
But she calls Dwarfe (so in her scorne she stiles me)
Put on my pantofies, fetch pen, and paper
I am to write, and with distracted lookes,
In her smocke, impatient of so short delay
As but to haue a mantle throwne vpon her,
She seal'd I know not what, but 'twas indors'd
To my lou'd Paris.
Jul.
Adde to this I heard her
Say, when a page receiu'd it; let him waite me
And carefully in the walke, cal'd our retreate,
Where Cæsar in his feare to giue offence,
Vnsent for neuer enters.
Parth.
This being certaine
(For these are more then iealous suppositions)
Discouer it?
Domit.
Alas you know wee dare not.
'Twill be receaued for a malicious practise
To free vs from that slauerie, which her pirde
Imposes on vs. But if you would please
To breake the ice on paine to be suncke euer
We would auerre it.
Parth.
I would second you,
But that I am commanded with all speede
To fetch in Ascletario, the Chaldæan.
Who in his absence is condemn'd of treason
For calculating the natiuitie
Of Cæsar, with all confidence fore-telling
In euerie circumstance when he shall die
A violent death. Yet if you could approue
Of my directions I would haue you speake
As much to Aretinus, as you haue
To me deliuer'd. He in his owne nature
Being a spie, on weaker grounds no doubt
Will vndertake it, not for goodnesse sake
(With which he neuer yet held correspondence)
But to endea're his vigilant obseruings
Of what concernes the Emperour, and a little
To triumph in the ruines of this Paris
Enter Aretinas.
That cros'd him the ruines in the Senate house. Here he comes
His nose held vp, he hath something in the winde,
Or I much erre alreadie. My designes
Command me hence great Ladies, but I leaue
My wishes with you.
Exit Parthenius.
Aret.
Haue I caught your greatnes
In the trap my proud Augusta?
Domit.
What is't raps him?
Aret.
And my fine Roman Actor? is't euen so?
No courser dish to take your wanton palate
Saue that which but the Emperour none durst tast off?
T'is very well. I needs must glory in
This rare discouerie, but the rewards
By an edict from Cæsar I haue power,
To tread vpon the necke of slauish Rowe,
Disposing offices, and Prouinces,
To my kinsmen, friends and clients.
Domit.
This is more
Then vsuall with him,
Jul.
Aretinus?
Aret.
How?
No more respect and reuerence tender'd to mee
But Aretinus! 'tis confess'd that title
When you were Princesses, and commanded all
Had beene a fauour; but being as you are
Vassals to a proud woman, the worst bondage,
You stand oblig'd with as much adoration
To entertaine him, that comes arm'd with strength,
To breake your fetters, as tand gallie-slaues
Pay such as doe redeeme them from the oare
I come not to intrap you, But aloud
Pronounce that you are manumiz'd, and to make
Your libertie sweeter, you shall see her fall,
(This Empresse, this Domitia, what you will)
That triumph'd in your miseries.
Domit.
Were, you serious
To proue your accusation, I could lend
Some helpe.
Cæn.
And I.
Jul.
And I.
Aret.
No atome to mee.
My eyes, and eares are euery where, I know all,
To the line and action in the play that tooke her;
Her quicke dissimulation to excuse
Her being transported, with her morning passion;
I brib'd the boy that did conuey the letter,
And hauing perus'd it, made it vp againe:
Your griefes, and angers, are to me familiar;
That Paris is brought to her, and how farre,
He shall be tempted.
This is aboue wonder.
Aret.
My gold can worke much stranger miracles
Then to corrupt poore waiters. Heere ioyne with me
'Tis a complaint to Cæsar. This is that
Shall ruine her, and raise you. Haue you set your hands
To the accusation.
Iul.
And will iustifie
What we haue subscrib'd to.
Cæn.
And with vehemencie.
Domit.
I will deliuer it.
Aret.
Leaue the rest to me then
Enter Cæsar with his Guard.
Cæs.
Let our Lieutenants bring vs victory,
While we enioy the fruites of peace at home,
And being secur'd from our intestiue foes,
Far worse then forreine enemies, doubts, and feares,
Though all the skie were hung with blazing meteors,
Which fond Astrologers giue out to be
Assur'd presages of the change of Empires,
And death of Monarchs, wee vndaunted yet
Guarded with our owne thunder, bid defiance,
To them, and fate, we being too strongly arm'd
For them to wound vs.
Aret.
Cæsar.
Jul.
As thou art
More then a man.
Cæn.
Let not thy passions bee
Rebellious to thy reason.
The Petition deliuer'd.
Domit.
But receiue
This tryall of your constancie, as vnmou'd
Thankes giuen to Ioue for triumphs?
Cæs.
Ha!
Domit.
Vouchsafe
A while to stay the lightning of your eyes.
Poore mortalls dare not looke on.
Aret.
There's no veine
Of yours, that rises high with rage, but is
An earthquake to vs.
Domit.
And if not kept clos'd
With more then humaine patience in a moment
Will swallow vs to the center.
Cæn.
Not that we
Repine to serue her, are we her accusers.
Iul.
But that she's falne so low.
Aret.
Which on sure proofes
VVe can make good.
Domitil.
And Show she is vnworthie
Of the least sparke of that diuiner fire
You haue confer'd vpon her.
Cæs.
I stand doubtfull.
And vnresolu'd what to determine of you.
In this malicious violence you haue offer'd
To the Altar of her truth, and purenesse to me,
You haue but fruitlesly labour'd to sullye
A white robe of perfection, blackmouth'd enuie
Could belch no spot on. But I will put off
The deitie, you labour to take from me,
And argue out of probabilities with you
As if I weare a man. Can I beleeue
That she, that borrowes all her light from me,
And knowes to vse it, would betray her darknesse
To your intelligence, and make that apparent,
Which by her perturbations in a play
VVas yesterday but doubted and find none,
But you that are her slaues, and therefore hate her
VVhose aydes she might imploy to make way for her?
Or Aretinus whom long since she knew
Of Cæsars secrets? could her beauty raise her
To this vnequald height to make her fall
The more remarkable? or must my desires
To her, and wrongs to Lamia be reuengd
By her, and on herselfe that drewe on both?
Or she leaue our imperiall bed to court
A publicke actor?
Aret.
who dares contradict
These more then humain reasons, that haue power
To cloth base guilt, in the most glorious shape
Of innocence?
Domit.
To wel she knew the strength,
And eloquence of her patron to defend her,
And thereupon presuming fell securely,
Not fearing an accuser, nor the truth.
Produc'd against her, which your loue and fauour
Will ne're discerne from falshood.
Cæs.
I'll not heere
A syllable more that may inuite a change
In my opinion of her. You haue rais'd,
A fiercer war within me by this fable,
(Though with your lines you vowe to make it storie)
Then if, and at one instant all my legions
Reuolted from me, and came arm'd against me.
Heere in this paper are the swords predestin'd
For my destruction; heere the fatall stars
That threaten more then ruine; this the deaths head
That does assure me, if she can proue false
That I am mortall, which a sudaine feauer
Would prompt me to beleeue, and fayntly yeeld to.
But now in my full confidence what she suffers,
In that, from any witnesse but my selfe,
I nourish a suspition she's vntrue,
My toughnes returnes to me. Lead on Monsters,
And by the forfeit of your liues confirme
She is all excellence, as you all basenesse,
Or let mankinde for her fall, boldly sweare
Exeunt omnes.
Scæna, 2.
Enter Domitia, Paris, Seruants.Domit.
Say we command, that none presume to dare
On forfeit of our fauour, that is life,
Out of a sawcie curiousnesse to stand
Within the distance of their eyes, or eares,
Till we please to be waited on. And sirrha
Exeunt seruants.
Howe're you are excepted, let it not
Beget in you an arrogant opinion
'Tis done to grace you.
Par.
With my humblest seruice
I but obey your summons, and should blush else
To be so neare you.
Domit.
'Twould become you rather
To feare, the greatnesse of the grace vouchsaf'd you
May ouerwhelme you, and 'twill doe no lesse.
If when you are rewarded, in your cups
You boast this priuacie.
Par.
That were mightiest Empresse
To play with lightning.
Domit.
You conceiue it right.
The meanes to kill, or saue, is not alone
In Cæsar circumscrib'd, for if incens'd
We haue our thunder to, that strikes as deadly.
Par.
'Twould ill become the lownesse of my fortune
To question what you can doe, but withall
Humilitie to attend what is your will,
And then to serue it.
Domit.
And would not a secret
(Suppose we should commit it to your trust)
Scald you to keepe it?
Par.
Though it rag'd within me
Till I turn'd cyndars, it should ne're haue vent.
To be an age a dying, and with torture
Or actuate what you command to me
A wretched obscure thing, not worth your knowledge,
Were a perpetuall happinesse.
Domit.
We could wish
That we could credit thee, and cannot find
In reason but that thou whom oft I haue seene
To personate a Gentleman, noble, wise,
Faithfull, and gainsome, and what vertues else
The Poet pleases to adorne you with
(But that as vessels still pertake the odour
Of the sweete pretious liquors they contain'd)
Thou must be reallie in some degree
The thing thou dost present. Nay doe not tremble,
We seriouslie beleeue it, and presume
Our Paris is the volume in which all
Those excellent guifts the Stage hath seene him grac'd with
Are curiouslie bound vp.
Par.
The argument
Is the same great Augusta, that I acting,
A foole, a coward, a traytor or cold cinique
Or any other weake, and vitious person
Of force I must be such. O gracious Madam,
How glorious soeuer, or deform'd,
I doe appeare in the Sceane, my part being ended,
And all my borrowed ornaments put off,
I am no more, nor lesse then what I was
Before I enter'd.
Domit.
Come you would put on
A wilfull ignorante, and not vnderstand,
What 'tis we point at. Must we in plaine language,
Against the decent modestie of our sex,
Say that we loue thee: loue thee to enioy thee,
Or that in our desires thou art preferr'd,
And Cæsar but thy second? thou in iustice
If from the height of Maiestie we can
(Looke downe vpon thy lownesse and embrace it,)
Art bound with seruor to looke vp to me.
O Madam heare me with a patient eare
And be but pleas'd to vnderstand the reasons
That doe deterre me from a happinesse
Kings would be riuals for. Can I that owe,
My life, and all that's mine to Cæsars bounties
Beyond my hopes, or merits showr'd vpon me,
Make payment for them with ingratitude,
Falshood, and treason? Though you haue a shape
Might tempt Hyppollitus, and larger power
To helpe, or hurt, then wanton Phædra had,
Let loyaltie, and dutie plead my pardon
Though I refuse to satisfie.
Domit.
You are coy
Expecting I should court you, let meane Ladies
Vse prayers, and intreaties to their creatures
To rise vp instruments to serue their pleasures;
But for Augusta so to loose her selfe
That holds command o're Cæsar, and the world,
Were pouertie of spirit. Thou must, thou shalt,
The violence of my passions knowes no meane,
And in my punishments, and my rewards
I'll vse no moderation. Take this onely
As a caution from me. Thread-bare Chastitie,
Is poore in the aduancement of her seruants,
But wantonnesse magnificent; and 'tis frequent
To haue the Salarie of vice waigh downe
The pay of vertue. So without more trifling
Thy sudaine answer.
Par.
In what a straight am I brought in!
Alas I know that the denial's death
Nor can my grant discouer'd threaten more.
Yet to dye innocent, and haue the glorie
For all posteritie to report that I
Refus'd an Empresse to preserue my faith
To my great master, in true iudgement must
Show fairer then to buy a guilty life,
With wealth, and honours. 'Tis the base I build on,
I dare not, must not, will not.
How contemn'd?
Since hopes, nor feares in the extreames preuaile not
I must vse a meane. Thinke who 'tis sues to thee
Denie not that yet which a brother may
Grant to his sister: as a testimonie
Cæsar, Aretinus, Iulia, Domitilla, Cænis aboue.
I am not scorn'd. Kisse me. Kisse me againe.
Kisse closer. Thou art now my Troyan Paris
And I thy Helen.
Par.
Since it is your will.
Cæs.
And I am Menelaus. But I shall be
Cæsar descends.
Something I know not yet.
Domit.
Why lose we time
And opportunitie. These are but sallads
To sharpen appetite. Let vs to the feast.
Courting Paris wantonly.
Where I shall wish that thou wert Jupiter
And I Alcmena, and that I had power
To lengthen out one short night into three,
And so beget a Hercules.
Cæs.
While Amphitrio
Stands by, and drawes the curtaines.
Par.
Oh?—
falls on his face.
Domit.
Betrai'd?
Cæs.
No, taken in a net of Vulcans filing,
Wherein my selfe the Theater of the Gods
Are sad spectators, not one of em daring
To witnesse with a smile he does desire
To be so sham'd for all the pleasure that
You haue sold your being for. What shall I name thee?
Ingratefull, trecherous, insatiate, all
Inuectiues, which in bitternes of spirit
Wrong'd men haue breath'd out against wicked women,
Cannot expresse thee. Haue I rays'd thee from
Thy lowe condition to the height of greatnesse,
Command, and Maiestie in one base act
To render me (that was before I hugg'd thee)
An adder in my bosome, more then man
A thing beneath a boast? did I force these
Of mine owne bloud as handmaids to kneele to
But how with benefits to binde thee mine;
And am I thus rewarded? not a knee?
Nor teare? nor signe of sorrow for thy fault?
Breake stubborne silence. What canst thou alleage
To stay my vengeance?
Domit.
This. Thy lust compell'd me
To be a strumpet, and mine hath return'd it
In my intent, and will, though not in act
To cuukcold thee.
Cæs.
O impudence ! take her hence,
And let her make her entrance into hell.
By leauing life with all the tortures that
Flesh can be sensible of. Yet stay. What power
Her beautie still holds o're my soule that wrongs
Of this vnpardonable nature cannot teach me
To tight my selfe and hate her?—Kill her.—Hold.
O that my dotage should increase from that
Which should breed detestation. By Minerua
If I looke on her longer. I shall melt
And sue to her. My iniuries forgot
Againe to be receiu'd into her fauour
Could honour yeild to it! Carrie her to her Chamber,
Be that her prison till in cooler bloud
I shall determine of her.
Exit with Domitia.
Aret.
Now step I in
While he's in this calme mood for my reward—
Sir, if my seruice hath deseru'd.
Cæs.
Yes. Yes,
And I'll reward thee, thou hast rob'd me of
All rest, and peace, and bin the principall meanes
To make me know that, of which if againe
Enter Guard.
I could be ignorant of. I would purchase it
With the losse of Empire; strangle him, take these hence to
And lodge them in the dungeon, could your reason
Dull wretches flatter you with hope to thinke
That this discouerie that hath showr'd vpon me
Perpetuall vexation should not fall
I will heare no reply, O Paris. Paris
Exeunt Guard Aretinus, Iulia, Cænis. Domitilla.
How shall I argue with thee? how begin,
To make thee vnderstand before I kill thee,
With what griefe and vnwillingnes 'tis forc'd from me?
Yet in respect I haue fauourd thee. I will heere
What thou canst speake to qualefie, or excuse
Thy readinesse to serue this womans lust.
And wish thou couldst giue me such satisfaction
As I might burie the remembrance of it;
Looke vp. We stand attentiue;
Par.
O dread Cæsar,
To hope for life, or pleade in the defence
Of my ingratitude were againe to wrong you.
I know I haue deseru'd death. And my suit is
That you would hasten it: yet that your highnes
When I am dead (as sure I will not liue)
May pardon me I'll onely vrge my frailtie,
Her will, and the temptation of that beautie
Which you could not resist. How would poore I then
Fly that which followd me, and Cæsar su'd for?
This is all. And now your sentence.
Cæs.
Which I know not
How to pronounce, O that thy fault had bin
But such as I might pardon; if thou hadst
In wantonnesse (like Nero) fir'd proud Rome
Betraide an armie, butcherd the whole Senate,
Committed Sacriledge, or any crime
The iustice of our Roman lawes cals death,
I had preuented any intercession
And freely sign'd thy pardon.
Par.
But for this
Alas you cannot, nay you must not Sir
Nor let it to posteritie be recorded
That Cæsar vnreueng'd, sufferd a wrong,
Which if a priuate man should sit downe with it
Cowards would baffell him.
With such true feeling
Thou arguest against thy selfe, that it
Workes more vpon me, then if my Minerua
(The grand protectresse of my life, and Empire,)
On forfeite of her fauour, cry'd aloud
Cæsar show mercie. And I know not how
I am inclinde to it. Rise. I'll promise nothing,
Yet cleare thy cloudie feares and cherish hopes,
What we must doe, we shall doe; we remember
A Tragedie, we oft haue seen with pleasure,
Call'd, the False Seruant.
Par.
Such a one we haue Sir.
Cæs.
In which a great Lord takes to his protection
A man forlorne, giuing him ample power
To order, and dispose of his estate
In his absence he pretending then a iourney.
But yet with this restraint that on no tearmes
This Lord suspecting his wines constancie
(She hauing playd false to a former husband)
The seruant though sollicited should consent
Though she commanded him to quench her flames.
Par.
That was indeed the argument.
Cæs.
And what
Didst thou play in it?
Par.
The false seruant Sir.
Cæs.
Thou didst indeed. Do the Players waite without?
Par.
They doe Sir and prepar'd to act the storie
Your Maiestie mention'd.
Cæs.
Call 'em in. Who presents
The iniur'd Lord?
Enter Æsopus, Latinus, a Boy drest for a Ladie.
Æsop.
T'is my part Sir,
Cæs.
Thou didst not
Doe it to the life. We can performe it better.
Off with my Robe, and wreath, since Nero scorn'd not
The publike Theater, we in priuate may
Wearing a beard, or other propertie
Will fit the person.
Æsop.
Onely Sir a foyle
The point, and edge rebutted, when you act
To doe the murther. If you please to vse this
And lay aside your owne sword.
Cæs.
By no meanes.
In iest nor earnest this parts neuer from me.
We'l haue but one short Sceane. That where the Ladie
In an imperious way commands the seruant
To be vnthankefull to his patron when
My cue's to enter prompt me nay begin
And doe it spritely though but a new Actor,
When I come to execution you shall find
No cause to laugh at me.
Lat.
In the name of wonder
What's Cæsars purpose?
Æsop.
There is no contending.
Cæs.
Why when?
Par.
I am arm'd.
And stood grim death now within my view and his
Vneuitable dart aim'd at my breast
His cold embraces should not bring an ague
To any of my faculties, till his pleasures
Were seru'd, and satisfied, which done Nestors yeeres,
To me would be vnwelcome.
Boy.
Must we intreate,
That were borne to command, or court a seruant
(That owes his foode and cloathing to our bountie)
For that, which thou ambitiouslie shouldst kneele for?
Vrge not in thy excuse the fauours of
Thy absent Lord, or that thou standst ingag'd
For thy life to his Charitie; nor thy feares
Of what may follow, it being in my power
To mould him any way.
Par.
As you may me
In what his reputation is not wounded
I know you are young, and faire, be vertuous too
And loyall to his bed, that hath aduanc'd you
To th'height of happinesse.
Boy.
Can my louesicke heart
Be cur'd with counsell? or durst reason euer
Offer to put in an exploded plea
In the Court of Venus. My desires admit not
The least delay. And therefore instantly
Giue me to vnderstand what I shall trust to.
For if I am refus'd, and not enioy
Those rauishing pleasures from thee, I run mad for;
I'll sweare vnto my Lord at his returne
(Making what I deliuer good with teares)
That brutishly thou wouldst haue forc'd from me
What I make suit for. And then but imagine
What 'tis to dye with these words slaue, and traytor,
With burning corrassues writ vpon thy forehead,
And liue prepar'd fort.
Par.
This he will beleeue
Vpon her information. 'Tis apparent
And then I am nothing. And of two extreames
Wisedome sayes chose the lesse. Rather then fall
Vnder your indignation, I will yeeld
This kisse, and this confirmes it.
Æsop.
Now. Sir now.
Cæs.
I must take them at it.
Æsop.
Yes Sir, be but perfect.
Cæs.
O villaine! thankelesse villaine! I should talke now;
But I haue forgot my part. But I can doe,
Thus, thus, and thus.
Kils Paris.
Par.
Oh, I am slaine in earnest.
Cæs.
'Tis true, and 'twas my purpose my good Paris
And yet before life leaue thee, let the honour
I haue done thee in thy death bring comfort to thee
If it had beene within the power of Cæsar
His dignitie preseru'd he had pardon'd thee.
But crueltie of honour did deny it.
To make thy end more glorious to distinguish
My Paris from all others, and in that
Haue showne my pittie. Nor would I let thee fall
By a Centurions sword, or haue thy limbes
Rent peece meale by the hangmans hooke howeuer:
Thy crime deseru'd it: but as thou didst liue
Romes brauest Actor, 'twas my plot that thou
Shouldst dye in action, and to crowne it dye
With an applause induring to all times,
By our imperiall hand. His soule is freed
From the prison of his flesh, let it mount vpward.
And for this truncke when that the funerall pile
Hath made it ashes, we'l see it inclos'd
In a golden vrne. Poets adorne his hearse
With their most rauishing sorrowes, and the stage
For euer mourne him, and all such as were
His glad spectators weepe his suddaine death,
The cause forgotten in his Epitaph.
Exeunt. A sad musicke the Players bearing off Paris body, Cæsar and the rest following.
The end of the fourth Act.
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