University of Virginia Library

[Actus quinti]

[scæna prima.]

Marcellus ([wt h a letter] proconsul of Sicilie) 2. & 3 marchant: [& Attendtes]
Marcellus:
vpon your recantation this Gallerien
was not Antiochus you had your pardons
signde by the Senate?

2 marchant:
yes my lorde

Marcellus:
troth tell mee
& freelie, I am noe informer did you
beleeue, and knowe hym such, or raysd that rumor
for private endes of your owne.

3 marchant:
may it please your excellence
to vnderstand, the feare of death wrought on vs
in a kinde to turne Apostatas: besides
[All the swords ready]
havinge prou'd our testimonies coulde not helpe hym
wee studied our safeties.

2 marchant:
a desire to
of the recoverie of our [our] owne kepd from vs
with stronge hand by his violent persecutor
Titus flaminivs, when Hee was at Carthage
vrg'd vs to seeke redresse, nor was it fit
wee shoulde oppose greate Rome.

Marcellus:
In worldlye wisdome
you are excusable. but.

3 marchant:
wee beseech your honor
presse vs noe further.

[OMITTED]e letter
Marcellus:
I doe not purpose it
doe you knowe what this containes?

2 marchant:
noe my good lord

3 marchant:

Marcellus:
twas manners in you.
but Ile discharge you of that feare. there is
noe hurt intended to you.

3 marchant:
wee thancke your lordship.

Marcellus
how is the service of flaminivs spoke of
in Rome?

2 Marchans:
with admiration, and many
divine great honors to hym.

Marcellus:
the peoples voice
is not oraculous ever. are you sure
the galley in wch your supposd kinge [rowes] is chainde,
was bounde for Siracusa?

3 marchant:
shee is now
in the port my lord.

Marcellus:
Titus flaminivs in her?

3 marchant:
vpon my certaine knowledge.

Marcell:
keepe your selves
conceald 'till you are calde for. when least hop'd for,
you shall haue iustice.

2 marchant:
your honors vassalls ever.

exevnt marchants.
Marcellus:
Here. Here it is apparent yt the Poet
wrot truth though noe proofe els coulde bee alleagd
to make it good that though the heavens lay open
to humane wishes, and the fates were bounde
to signe what wee desire, such clowdes of error
involue our reason, wee still begge a curse
and not a blessinge. how many borne vnto
ample possessions, & like pettie kinges
disposinge of their vassals, sated with
the peace, and quiet of a cuntrie life,
carried headlonge with ambition contend
to weare the golden fetters of imployment.
presuminge there's noe happinesse but in
the service of the state. but when they haue tri'ed
by a sad experience the burthen of 'em,
when 'tis not in their power at any rate
they woulde redeeme their calme securitie
morgagd in wantonesse. alas what are wee
that governe provines but prayes expo'sd
to everie subtle spie. & when wee haue
like spunges suckde in welth, wee are squeezd out
by the rough hande of the lawe, and faylinge in
one sillable of our com̄ission, with
the losse of what wee got with toyle, wee drawe
[Enter Cornelia, &] [a moore waitingwoman]
what was our owne in quæstion. you come timelye
to turne my tir'd thowghts from a sad discourse
that I had with my selfe.

Cornelia:
I rather feare sr
I bringe an argument alonge with mee
that will increase, not lessen such conceptions.
as I founde with you.

Marcellus:
why sweete? what's the matter?

Cornelia:

Marcellus:
wch I pay
without compulsion. but why doe you
lance this old sore?

Cornelia:
th'occasion com̄andes it
and now I woulde forget it I am forcde
in thanckefullnesse to call to memorie
the favours for wch wee must ever owe hym.
you had the honor in his court at Sardis
to bee stilde his freinde, an honor Rome, and Carthage
were rivalls for, and did deserue the envie
of his prime mignions, and favorites.
His naturall subiectes planted in his favour,
or rooted vp, as your dislike or prayse
reported 'em; the good kinge holdinge what
you spake to bee oraculous, & not
to bee disputed. His magnificent guiftes
confirmd his trewe affection, wch you were
more wearie to receaue then hee to gieue,
yet still hee studied newe ones.

Marcellus:
pray you noe more.

[Marcellus] Cor:
O 'tis a theme sr I coulde ever dwell on.
but since it does offende you, I will speake
of what concernes my selfe. Hee did not blushe
in the height of his fælicitie, to confesse
fabritivs, my lord, and father, for
his much lou'd kinsman, and as such obserud hym.
you may please to remember to, when at
a publicque sacrifice made to the gods
after a longe infection, in wch
the Asian kinges, and Queenes were his assistants,
with what respecte, and grace Hee did receaue mee;
And at a sollemne tiltinge, when hee had
put on the richest armor of the worlde,
smilinge Hee sayde. His wordes are still, & shall bee
writ in the tablet of my Heart. faire cousin
soe Hee began, & then you thought mee faire to,
since I am turnd souldier, twere a solecisme
in the language of the war to haue noe mistrisse,
and therefore as a prosperous omen to
my vndertakings, I desire to fight
(soe you with willingenesse gieue suffrage to it)
vnder your gratious colours; and then looseninge
a scarfe tied to mine arme, Hee did intreate mee
to fasten it on his. o with what ioy
I did obey hym, rapd beyonde my selfe
in my imagination to haue
soe greate a kinge my servant.

Marcellus:
you had to
some private conference.

Cornelia
& you gaue way [to't] to it
without a signe of iealousie, & dispensde with
the Roman gravitie.

Marcellus:

Cornelia:
it does prepare
a suite I haue wch you must not denie mee
to see the man, whoe as it is reported
in the exterior parts nature hath drawne
as his perfit coppie. there must be somethinge in hym
remarkeable in his resembl[inge]ance only
of kinge Antiochus features.

Marcellus:
'twas my purpose
& soe much my Cornelia, flaminivs
shall not denie vs.

[Enter [flaminivs] [Marcellus]. & Demetrivs.]
flaminivs:
as my dutie bindes mee
my stay here beeinge but short, I come vnsent for
to kisse your lordships hands.

Marcellus:
I answer you
in your owne language sr—and yet your stay here
may bee longer then you thincke.

flaminivs:
most Hono'rd Madam
I cannot stoope to lowe in tendringe of
my humblest service.

Cornelia:
you disgrace your courtship
in overactinge it my lord. I looke not
for such observance

flaminivs:
I am most vnhappie
yf that your excellence make any scruple
of doubt you may com̄ande mee.

Cornelia:
this assurance
gieues mee encouragement to intreate a favour
in wch my lord beeinge a suitor with
I hope shall finde a grant.

flaminivs:
though all that's mine
bee comprehended in't.

Marcellus:
your promise sr
shall not soe far ingage you. In respect
of some familiar passages betwene [vs]
[and] the kinge Antiochus when hee liu'd, and vs,
and though it needes it not, for farther proofe
that this is an impostor, wee desire
some conference with hym.

flaminivs:
for your satisfaction
I will dispense a little with the strictnes
of my com̄ission. sirrha will the Captaine
to bringe hym to the proconsull.

Cornelia:
His chaines tooke of
that I intreate to. since I woulde not looke on
the image of a kinge, I soe much honor'd
bounde like a slaue.

flaminivs:
see this greate ladies will
bee punctuallie obeyde.

exit Demetrivs.
Marcellus:
your wisdome sr
Hath donne the state a memorable service,
in stranglinge in the birth this dreadfull monster
and though with some your cruell vsage of hym
(for soe they call your fit severitie)
may finde a harshe interpretation, wise men
in iudgement must applaude it.

flaminivs:

Marcellus:
with my thanckes
for you soe graue advice, I'le put in practise
on all occasions what you deliver
& studie 'em as aphorismes. in the meane time
pray your accept such entertainment as
Syracusa can present you. when the impostor
arriues, let vs haue notice. pray you walke sr.

exevnt.

[scæna vltima.]

[Antiochus. Captaine. souldiers.]
Captaine:
waite at the Pallace gate, there is noe feare now
of his escape. Ile bee my selfe his guardian
till you heare further from mee.

Antiochus:
what new engine
hath crueltie founde out to rayse against
this poore demolishd rampire? it is leveld
with the earth alreadie. will they trivmph in
the ruines they haue made? or is there yet
one masterpeece of tyrannie in store
beyonde that I haue sufferd? yf there bee
a viall of affliction not pourde out yet
vpon this sinfull head I am prepar'd
and will looke on the clowde before it breake
without astonishement. scorne mee not captaine
as a vaine bragart, I will make this good,
and I haue strengths to doe it. I am armd
with such varieties of defensiue weapons,
lent to mee from my passiue fortitude,
that there's noe torment of a shape soe horrid
can shake my constancie. where lyes the scæne now?
thowgh the hangeinge of the stage were congeald gore
the Chorus flintye executioners
and the spectators, yf it coulde bee, more
inhumane then flaminivs, the cue gieven
the principall actor's readie.

Captaine:
yf I durst
I coulde shewe my compassion.

Antiochus
take heede Captaine.
pittie in Roman officers is a crime
to bee punnishde more then murther in colde blood.
beare vp to tell mee where I am I take it
is noe offence.

Captaine:
you are in Syracusa
in the court of the proconsul.

Antiochus:
whoe? Marcellus?

Captaine:

[OMITTED]Antiochus:

Captaine:
they are heere, and soone
[Enter Marcellus. flaminivs.] [Cornelia Moore woman] [& servants.]
they will resolue you.

Marcellus:
bee reserud. and let not
the meere resemblance of his shape transport you
beyonde your selfe. though I confesse the obiect
does much amaze mee.

Cornelia:
you impose my lord
what I want power to beare.

Marcellus:
let my example
though your fierce passions make war against it.
strengthen your reason.

Antiochus:
haue you taken yet
a full viewe of mee? in what part doe I
appeare a monster?

Cornelia:
His owne voice!

Marcellus:
forbeare.

Antiochus:
though I were an impostor as this fellowe
labours you to beleeue you breake the lawes
of faire humanitie in addinge to
affliction at the height, and I must tell you
the reverence you shoulde pay vnto the shape
of kinge Antiochus may challenge pittie
as a due debt, not scorne. wisemen preserue
dumbe pictures of their freindes, & looke vpon em
with feelinge, and affection, yet not holde it
a foolishe superstition. but there is
in thanckefullnesse a greater tye on you
to showe compassion.

Marcellus:
were it possible
thow couldst bee [Dom Seb] kinge Antiochus.

Antiochus:
what then?

Marcellus:
I shoulde both say and doe

Antiochus:
nothinge for mee,
(as far as my persuasion coulde prevent it)
not suitinge with the qualitie, and condition
of one that owes his loyaltie, to Rome.
and since it is by the inscrutable will
of fate determinde that the royalties
of Asia must bee conferd vpon her
for what offence I knowe not, 'tis in vaine
for men to oppose it. you expresse my lord
a kinde of sorrow for mee, in wch madam
you seeme to bee a sharer. that you may
haue some proofe to defende it, for your mirth sake
Ile play the iugler, or more subtle gipsey
& to your admiration reveale
strange misteries to you, wch as you are Romans
you must receive for cunninge trickes, but gieue
noe farther credit to 'em.

flaminivs:

Marcellus:
I dare stande his charmes
with open eares. speake on.

Antiochus:
yf soe haue at you
Can you call to your memorie when you were
at Sardis with Antiochus, before
His Græcian expedition, what Hee
with his owne handes presented you as a favour
noe third man by to witnesse it?

Marcellus:
gieue mee leaue
to recollecte my selfe. yes—sure 'twas soe.
Hee gaue mee a faire sworde.

Antiochus:
'tis trewe, and you
vowd never to part from it. is it still
in your possession?

Marcellus:
the same sword I haue
and while I liue will keepe.

Antiochus:
will you not say
it beeinge fower and twentye yeares since you
were master of that guift, yf now I knowe it
amonge a thousande others, that I haue
the art of memorie?

Marcellus:
I shall receaue it
as noe com̄on sleight. sirrha. fetch all the swordes
for mine owne vse in my armorie. & doe you heare?
doe as I gieue directions.

servant:
with all care sr.

exit servant.
Antiochus:
to entertaine the time vntill your servant
returnes. there is noe sillable that pas'de
betwene you, and Antiochus, wch I coulde not
articulatelye deliver. you must still
bee confident that I am an impostor
or els the tricke is nothinge.

Cornelia:
Can this bee?

enter servant with many swords[OMITTED]
Antiochus:
o welcome freind. most choice & curious swordes
but mine is not amonge em.

Marcellus:
bringe the rest.

Enter another servant with more swordes.
Antiochus:
I this is it. this is the sword I gaue you
before I went to Greece. bee not amazde,
nor let this trifle purchase a beleefe
I am Antiochus. here is one will assure you
theis are but iuglinge trickes of an affronter.

flaminivs:
they are noe more. a contract's seald betwene
the divell, and this seducer, at the price
of his damnde soule. & his familiar Dæmon
acquaints hym with theis passages.

Marcellus:
I knowe not
but I am thunderstrooke.

Cornelia:
I can containe
my selfe noe longer.

Antiochus:
stay deare Madam. though
credulitie bee excusable in your sex,
to take away all colour of guilt in you
you shall haue stronger proofes. the scarfe you gaue mee,
as a testimonie you adopted mee
into your service I ware on mine armor
when I fought with marcus Scaurus. and mine eie
hath on the suddaine founde a pretious iewell[OMITTED]
you d[OMITTED]inde to receaue from mee. th[OMITTED]
[OMITTED]wch you weare on your[OMITTED]


[OMITTED]I ack[OMITTED]


[OMITTED] it was the[OMITTED]inge Antiochus guift.


[OMITTED] I will


[OMITTED] make a discoverie of a secret in it


[OMITTED] of wch you yet are ignorant. pray you trust it


[OMITTED] for kinge Antiochus sake into my handes


[OMITTED] I thancke your readines. nay drie your eies,
you hinder els the facultie of seeinge
the cunninge of the lapidarie. I can
pull out the stone, & vnder it you shall finde
my name, and cipher I then vsde ingraven.

Cornelia:
'tis most apparent. though I loose my life for't
theis knees shall pay their dutye.

Antiochus:
by noe meanes.
for your owne sake bee still incredulous
since your faith cannot saue mee. I should knowe
this moorishe woman. yes. tis shee. thou weret
one of my laundrie. & thou wast calde Zanthia
while thou were't mine I am glad thou hast lighted on
soe gratious a mistrisse.

Moore:
mine owne kinge!
o let mee kisse your feete. what cursed villaines
haue thus transformd you.

flaminivs:
tis not safe my lord
to suffer this.

Marcellus:
I am turnd statue. or
all this is but a vision.

Antiochus:
your eare madam.
since what I now shall say is such a secret
as is knowne only to your selfe, and mee
and must exclude a third though your owne lord
from beeinge of the counsaile. Havinge gaynd
accesse, and privacie with you, my hot blood
(noe freinde to modest purposes) prompted mee
with pills of poysond language, candied ore
with hopes of future greatenesse to attempt
the ruine of your honor. I inforc'd then
my power to iustefie the ill & presde you
with mountainous promises of loue, and service.
But when the buildinge of your faith, and vertue
began to totter, and a kinde of grant
was offerd. my then sleepinge temperance
began to rowze it selfe, & breakinge through
the obstacles of lust, when most assurde
to inioy a pleasant hower I let my sute fall
& with a gentle reprehension taxde
your forwarde pronenesse, but with many vowes
nere to discover it wch heavn can witnes, I haue & will keepe faithfullie.

Cornelia:
this is
the kinge Antiochus as sure as I am
the daughter of my mother.

Marcellus:
bee advisde

flaminivs:
this is little lesse then treason.

Cornelia:
they are traytors
traytors to innocence and oppresd iustice
that dare affirme the contrarie.

Marcellus:
pray you temper
[OMITTED]e violence of your passion,
[OMITTED] b[OMITTED]

C[OMITTED]rne[OMITTED]

Antiochus:
liue longe madam [OMITTED]
to nobler, & more profitable vses [OMITTED]
I am a fallinge structure, and desire not [OMITTED]
your honors shoulde bee buried in my ruines [OMITTED]
let it suffice my lord you must not see
the sun yf in the policie of state
it is forbidden. with compassion
of what a miserable kinge hath suffer'd
preserue mee in your memorie.

[Marcellus:] flam:
you stande as
this sorcerer had bewitchde you. dragge hym to
his ore, and let his waightie chaines bee doublde

Marcellus:
for my sake let the poore man haue what favour
you can affoord hym.

flaminivs:
sr you must excuse mee.
you haue abusde the libertie I gaue you.
but villaine you pay deere for't. I will trust
the execution of his punnishement
to noe man but my selfe. His cries, and grones
shall bee my howerlye musicque. soe my lord
I take my leaue abruptlye

Cornelia:
may all plauges
that ever follow'd tyrannie pursue thee.

Marcellus:
pray you stay a little.

flaminivs:
on noe termes

Marcellus:
yeelde soe [muc] much
to my intreaties.

flaminivs:
not a minute, for
your governement.

Marcellus:
I will not purchase sr
your company at such a rate. & yet
must take the boldnesse vpon mee to tell you
you must, and shall stay.

flaminivs:
how?

Marcellus:
nay what is more
as a prisoner, not a ghest. looke not soe high
Ile humble your prowde thoughts.

flaminivs:
you dare not doe this
without authoritie.

Marcellus:
you shall finde I haue
sufficient warrant with detayninge you
to take this man into my custodie
thowgh 'tis not in my power what ere you are
to doe you further favour I thus free you
out of this divells pawes.

Antiochus:
I take it as
a lesseninge of my torments.

flaminivs:
you shall answer
this in another place.

Marcellus:
but you shall here
yeelde an accompt without appeale for wh«a[OMITTED]»
you haue alreadie donne. you may p«e[OMITTED]se[OMITTED]» [OMITTED]the letter)[OMITTED]
shake you alreadie? doe «y»ou f«i*»de «I» ha[OMITTED]


[OMITTED]nt call in the Asian marchants.
enter the 2 marchants & a garde
[OMITTED]rt
[OMITTED]now to bee hangde
[OMITTED]n hym that pitties thee.
[OMITTED]cusers
«[OMITTED]e»adie & will proue that you tooke bribes
of the Carthaginian marchants, to detaine
their lawfull prize, & for your sordid endes
abusde the trust com̄itted by the state
to right their vassalls. the wise senate, as
they will rewarde your good, and faithfull service
cannot in iustice without punnishement
passe ore your ill. guiltinesse makes you dumbe
but 'till that I haue leasure and you finde
your tongue, to prison with hym.

flaminivs:
I proue to late
as heavn is mercifull, mans crueltie
never escapes vnpunnishde.

exevnt with flaminivs
Antiochus:
how a smile
labours to breake forth from mee. but what is
Romes pleasure shall bee donne with mee?

Marcellus:
pray you thincke Sr
a Roman, not your constant freinde that tells you
you are confinde vnto the Gyaræ
with a stronge garde vpon you.

[Ent: Garde (agen)—]
Antiochus:
then 'tis easie
to prophecie I haue not longe to liue
though the manner how I shall dye is vncertaine.
nay weepe not since 'tis not in you to helpe mee
theis showers of teares are fruitlesse. may my storie
teach potentates humilitie, and instructe
prowde monarchs, though they governe humane thinges
a greater power does rayse, or pull downe [th] kinges.

[florish]