 | The Emperovr of the East |  |
Act. 3.
Scæna 1.
Paulinus, Philanax.Paulinus.
Nor this, nor the age before vs euer look'd on
The like solemnitie.
Philan.
A suddain feuer
Kep'd mee at home. Pray you my Lord acquaint me
With the particulars.
Paul.
You may presume
No pompe, nor ceremony could be wanting,
Where there was Priuiledge to command, and meanes
To cherish rare inuentions.
Phil.
I beleeue it;
But the summe of all in briefe.
Paulinus.
Pray you so take it;
Faire Athenais not longe since a Suitor,
And almost in her hopes forsaken, first
Was Christned, and the Emperours mothers name
Eudoxia, as hee will'd, impos'd vpon her:
Pulcheria the euer matchlesse Princesse,
Assisted by her reuerend Aunt Maria,
Her God-mothers.
Phil.
And who the masculine witnesse?
Paul.
At the new empresse suite I had the honor.
For which I must euer serue her.
Phil.
'twas a grace,
With iustice you may boaste of.
Paul.
The marriage followed,
And as 'tis sayd, the Emperour made bold
To turne the day to night, for, to bed they went
Assoone as they had din'd, and there are wagers
Lay'd by some merrye Lord's, hee hath already.
Phil.
That is yet
To be determin'd of; but I am certaine,
A Prince so soone in his disposition alter'd,
Was neuer heard nor reade of.
Paul.
But of late,
Frugall and sparing, now nor boundes, nor limits
To his magnificent bounties. Hee affirm'd,
Hauing receiu'd more blessings by his empresse
Then hee could hope, in thankefulnesse to heauen
He cannot be to prodigall to others.
What euer s'offer'd to his royall hand
Hee signes without perusing it.
Phil.
I am heere
Inioyned to free all such as lye for debt,
The creditors to bee pay'd out of his coffers.
Paul.
And I all malefactors that are not
Conuicted, or for treason or fowle murther,
Such only are excepted;
Phil.
'Tis a rare clemencie!
Paul.
Which wee must not dispute, but put in practise.
Exeunt.
Scæn. 2.
Lowd Musick. Showtes within: Heauen preserue the Emperour, Heauen blesse the Empresse. Then in State, Chrysapius, Patriarch. Paulinus. Theodosius. Athenais. Pulcheria. Her two young Sisters bearing vp Athenais trayne. Followed, by Philanax. Gratianus. Timantus. Suitors, presenting petitions. The Emperour sealing them. Pulcheria appeares troubled.Pul.
Sir by your owne rules of Philosophie
You know things violent last not, royall bounties
With moderation, but when their excesse
In giuing gyant-bulkes to others, take from
The Princes iust proportion, they loose
The names of vertues, and, their natures chang'd,
Grow the most dangerous vices
Theod.
In this, sister,
Your wisdome is not circular; they that sowe
In narrow boundes, cannot expect in reason
A croppe beyond their ventures, what I doe
Disperse, I lend, and will with vsury
Returne vnto my heape: I only then
Am rich, and happy, (though my coffers sound
With emptinesse) when my glad subiects feele,
Their plenty and felicitie is my gifte;
And they will finde, when they with cheerefulnesse
Supplie not my defectes, I being the stomacke
To the politick body of the State, the limbes
Grow suddainely faint, and feeble; I could vrge
Proofes of more finenesse in their shape and language,
But none of greater strength: dissuade mee not,
What wee will, we will doe; yet to assure you,
Your care does not offend vs, for an houre,
Bee happy in the conuerse of my best
And deerest comfort; may you please to licence
My priuacie some few minutes?
Athenais.
Licence Sir,
I haue no will, but is deriu'd from yours,
And that still waites vpon you, nor can I
Bee left with such security with any,
As with the gratious Princesse, who receiues
Addition, though shee bee all excellence,
In being stilde your sister.
Theod.
O sweete creature!
Let mee bee censur'd fond, and too indulgent,
Nay though they say vxorious, I care not,
Her loue, and sweete humility exact
Her matchlesse goodnesse, Forward.
Exeunt, Theodosius and the traine.
Pulch.
Now you finde
Your dying fathers prophecie that foretolde
Your present greatnesse, to the full accomplish'd.
For the poore aides, and furtherance I lent you,
I willingly forget.
Ath.
Eu'n that bindes me
To a more strict remembrance of the fauor,
Nor shall you from my foule ingratitude,
In any circumstance euer finde cause
T'upbraid me with your benefit,
Pul.
I beleeue so.
Pray you giue vs leaue: what now I must deliuer
Vnder the deepest scale of secrecy,
Though it be for you good, will giue assurance
Of what is look'd for, if you not alone
Heare, but obey my counsels.
Ath.
They must be
Of a strange nature, if with zealous speed
I put 'em not in practice.
Pul.
'Twere impertinence
To dwell on circumstances, since the wound
Requires a suddain cure, especially
Since you that are the happy instrument
Elected to it, though yong in your iudgement
Write far aboue your yeeres, and may instruct
Such as are more experienc'd.
Ath.
Good madam,
In this I must oppose you, I am well
Acquainted with my weaknesse, and it will not
Become your wisdome, by which I am rais'd
To this titulary height, that should correct
The pride, and ouerweening of my fortune,
That merit to me, vnto which I can
Pretend no interest; pray you excuse
My bold simplicity, and to my waight
Designe me where you please, and you shall finde
In my obedience, I am still your creature.
Pul.
'Tis nobly answer'd, and I glory in
The building I haue rais'd; go on, sweet Lady,
In this your vertuous progresse but to the point,
You know, nor do I enuy it, you haue
Acquir'd that power, which, not long since, was mine,
In gouerning the Emperor, and must vse
The strength you hold in the heart of his affections,
For his priuate, as the publique preseruation,
To which there is no greater enemy,
Then his exorbitant prodigality,
How ere his sycophants, and flatterers call it.
Royall magnificence, and though you may
Vrge what's done for your honor, must not be
Curb'd, or be controul'd by you, you cannot in
Your wisdome but conceiue, if that the torrent
Of his violent bounties be not stopp'd, or lessen'd,
It will proue most pernitious. Therefore, Madam,
Since 'tis your duty, as you are his wife,
To giue him sauing counsells, and in being
Almost his idoll, may command him to
Take any shape you please, with a powerfull hand,
To stop him in his precipice to ruine.
Ath.
Auert it heauen.
Pul.
Heauen is most gratious to you, madam,
In choosing you to be the instrument
Of such a pious work. You see he signes
What suit soeuer is preferr'd, not once
Inquiring what it is, yeelding himselfe
A prey to all; I would therefore haue you, Lady,
As I know you will to aduise him, or command him,
As he would reap the plenty of your fauours,
And that before he giues, he would consider,
The what, to whom, and wherefore.
Ath.
Do yo think
Such arrogance, or vsurpation, rather,
Of what is proper, and peculiar
To euery priuate husband, and much more
To him an Emperor, can ranck with th'obedience
And duty of a wife? are we appointed
In our creation (let me reason with you)
To rule, or to obey? or 'cause he loues me
With a kinde impotence, must I tyrannize
Ouer his weaknesse? or abuse the strength
With which he armes me to his wrong? or, like
A prostituted creature, merchandize
Our mutuall delight for hire? or to
Serue mine owne sordid ends? in vulgar nuptials
Priority is exploded, though there be
A difference in the parties, and shall I,
His vassall from obscurity rais'd by him
To this so eminent light, presume to appoint him
To do, or not to do this, or that: when wiues
Are well aocommodated by their husbands
With all things both for vse, and ornament,
Let them fix there, and neuer dare to question
Their wils or actions. For my selfe, I vow,
Though now my Lord would rashly giue away
His Scepter, and imperiall Diadem,
Or if there could be any thing more pretious,
I would not crosse it; but I know this is
But a triall of my temper, and as such
I do receiue it, or if't be otherwise,
You are so subtill in your arguments,
I dare not stay to heare them.
Pulcher.
Is't eu'n so?
I haue power ore these yet, and command their stay,
To hearken nearer to me.
We are charg'd
By the Emperor, our brother, to attend
The Empresse seruice.
2 Sister.
You are too mortifi'd sister,
(With reuerence I speak it) for yong Ladies
To keepe you company. I am so tir'd
With your tedious exhortations, doctrines, vses,
Of your religious morality,
That for my health sake, I must take the freedome
To enioy a little of those pretty pleasures
That I was borne to.
1 Sister.
When I come to your yeeres,
Ile do as you do, but till then, with your pardon,
Ile lose no more time. I haue not learn't to dance yet,
Nor sing, but holy hymnes, and those to vile tunes too;
Nor to discourse, but of Schoolemens opinions.
How shall I answer my sutors? since, I hope,
Ere long I shall haue many, without practice
To write, and speake somthing that's not deriu'd
From the fathers of Philosophy.
2 Sister.
We shall shame
Our breeding Sister, if we should go on thus.
1 Sister.
'Tis for your credit, that we study
How to conuerse with men; women with women
Yeelds but a harren argument.
2 Sister.
She frownes,
But you'll protect vs Madam?
Ath.
Yes, and loue
Your sweet simplicity.
1 Sister.
All yong gyrles are so,
Till they know the way of't.
2 Sister.
But when we are enter'd,
We shall on a good round pace,
Ath.
Ile leaue you Madam.
1 Sister.
And we our duties with you.
Exeunt Athenais and the yong Ladyes.
On all hands
Thus slighted? no way left? am I growne stupid
In my inuention? can I make no vse
Of the Emperors bounties? now 'tis thought: within there.
Seruant.
Madam.
Enter a Seruant.
Pul.
It shall be so; neerer; your eare
Draw a petition to this end.
Seru.
Besides
The danger to prefer it, I beleeue
Twill nere be granted.
Pul.
How's this? are you growne,
From a seruant, my director? let me heare
No more of this. Dispatch, Ile master him
At his owne weapon.
Exit Seruant.
Enter Theodosius, Favorinus, Philanax, Timantus, Gratianus.
Theod.
Let me vnderstand it,
If yet there be ought wanting that may perfect
A generall happinesse.
Fauor.
The peoples ioy
In seas of acclamations flow in
To wait on yours.
Philanax.
Their loue with bounty leuied,
Is a sure guard. Obedience forc'd from feare,
Paper fortification, which in danger
Will yeeld to the impression of a reed,
Or of it selfe fall off.
Theod.
True, Philanax.
And by that certain compasse we resolue
To steere our Barque of gouernment.
Enter Seruant with the petition.
Pul.
'Tis well.
The.
My deerest, and my all-deseruing Sister,
Pray you, rise, although your suite were halfe my Empire,
'Tis freely granted.
Pulch.
Your alacritie
To giue hath made a begger; yet before
My suite is by your sacred hand and seale
Confirm'd, 'tis necessary you peruse
The summe of my request.
Theod.
Wee will not wrong
Your iudgement, in conceiuing what 'tis fit
For you to aske, and vs to grant, so much,
As to proceede with caution, giue mee my signet,
With confidence I signe it, and heere vow.
By my fathers soule, but with your free consent
It is irreuocable.
Timantus.
What if shee now
Calling to memorie, how often wee
Haue cross'd her gouernment, in reuenge hath made
Petition for our heads?
Gratianus.
They must euen off then,
No ransone can redeeme vs.
Theod.
Let those iewells
So highly rated by the Persian merchants
Bee bought, and as a sacrifice from vs
Presented to Eudoxa. Shee being only
Worthy to weare 'em, I am angrie with
The vnresistable necessitie.
Of my occasions, and important cares
That so long keepe mee from her.
Exeunt Theodosius and the trayne.
Pulcher.
Goe to the Empresse,
And tell her on the suddaine, I am sicke,
And doe desire, the comfort of a visit,
If shee please to vouchsafe it. From me vse
Your humblest language: But when once I haue her
In a higher straine, say it raise stormes, no matter.
Fooles iudge by the euent, my endes are honest.
Exeunt.
Scæne 3.
Theodosius. Timantus. Philanax.Theod.
What is become of her? can shee that carries
Such glorious excellence, of light about her,
Be any where conceal'd?
Philanax.
Wee haue sought her lodgings,
And all we can learne from the seruants is,
Shee by your maiesties sisters wayted on,
(The attendance of her other officers
By her expresse command deni'd,)
Theod.
Forbeare
Impertinent circumstances, whither went shee? speake.
Phil.
As they ghesse, to the lawrell groue.
Theod.
So slightly garded!
What an earth-quake I feele in mee! and but that
Religion assures the contrarie,
The Poets dreames of lustfull Fawnes, and Satyres,
Would make me feare, I know not what.
Enter Paulinus,
Paul.
I haue found her,
And it please your Maiestie.
Theod.
Yes, it doth please mee.
But why return'd without her?
Paul.
As shee made
Her speediest approches to your presence,
A seruant of the Princesses Pulcheria
Encounterd her; what 'twas, he whisperd to her
And will'd me to excuse her absence from you,
The third part of an houre.
The.
In this she takes
So much of my life from me; yet Ile beare it
With what patience I may; since 'tis her pleasure.
Go back, my good Paulinus, and intreat her
Not to exceed a minute.
Timant.
Here's strange fondnesse!
Exeunt.
Scæne 4.
Pulcheria. Seruants.Pul.
You are certaine she will come?
Ser.
She is already
Enter'd your outward lodgings.
Pul.
No traine with her?
Ser.
Your excellence sisters only.
Pulch.
'Tis the better;
See the doores strongly guarded, and deny
Accesse to all, but with our speciall licence.
Why dost thou stay? shew your obedience,
Your wisdome now is vselesse.
Exeunt Seruants.
Enter Athenais, Arcadia, Flaccilla.
Flac.
She is sick sure,
Or, in fit reuerence to your Maiesty,
She had waited you at the doore.
Ar.
'Twould hardly be
Pulcheria walking by.
Excus'd, in ciuill manners, to her equall,
But with more difficulty to you, that are
So far aboue her.
Ath.
Not in her opinion;
T'acknowledge a superior.
Ar.
There she walks.
Fla.
If she be not sick of the sullens, I see not
The least infirmity in her.
Ath.
This is strange!
Ar.
Open your eyes; the Empresse.
Pul.
Reach that chaire:
Now sitting thus at distance, Ile vouchsafe
To looke vpon her.
Ar.
How! sister: pray you awake,
Are you in your wits?
Fla.
Grant heauen, your too much learning
Does not conclude in madnesse.
Ath.
You intreated
A visit from me.
Pul.
True, my seruant vs'd
Such language, but now as a mistresse I
Command your seruice.
Ath.
Seruice!
Ar.
She's stark mad, sure.
Pul.
Youle finde I can dispose of what's mine owne
Without a guardian.
Ath.
Follow me. I will see you
When your frantique fit is ore. I do begin
To be of your beleefe.
Pulch.
It will deceiue you.
Thou shalt not str from hence, thus as mine owne
I seize vpon thee.
Flac.
Help, help, violence
Offer'd to the Empresse person.
Pulch.
'Tis in vaine:
Shee was an Empresse once, but, by my gift,
Which, being abus'd, I do recall my grant.
You are read in story; call to remembrance,
What the great Hectors mother Hecuba
Was to Vlysses, Ilium sack'd.
A slaue.
Pulch.
To me thou art so:
Ath.
Wonder and amazement
Quite ouerwhelme me: how am I transform'd?
How haue I lost my liberty?
Knocking without: Enter Seruant.
Pulcheria.
Thou shall know
Too soone, no doubt. Who's that with such rudenesse
Beats at the doore?
Ser.
The Prince Paulinus, madam,
Sent from the Emperor to attend vpon
The gratious Empresse.
Ar.
And who is your slaue now?
Fla.
Sister, repent in time, and beg pardon
For your presumption.
Pulch.
It is resolu'd:
From me returne this answer to Paulinus;
She shall not come; she's mine; the Emperor hath
No interest in her.
Exit Seruant.
Ath.
Whatsoere I am,
You take not from your power ore me, to yeeld
A reason for this vsage.
Pulch.
Though my will is
Sufficient to ad to thy affliction,
Know wretched thing, 'tis not thy fate, but folly
Hath made thee what thou art: 'tis some delight
To vrge my merits to one so vngratefull;
Therefore with horror heare it. When thou wert
Thrust as a stranger from thy fathers house,
Expos'd to all calamities that want
Could throw vpon thee, thine owne brothers scorne,
And in thy hopes, as by the world forsaken,
My pity, the last altar that was left thee,
I heard thy Syren charmes, with feeling heard them,
And my compassion made mine eyes vy teares
Were emulous for thy imperiall bed,
The garments of thy sorrowes cast aside,
I put thee in a shape as would haue forc'd
Enuy from Cleopatra, had she seene thee;
Then, when I knew my brothers blood was warm'd
With youthfull fires, I brought thee to his presence,
And how my deepe designes, for thy good plotted,
Succeeded to my wishes, is apparant,
And needs no repetition.
Ath.
I am conscious
Of your so many, and vnequall'd fauors,
But finde not how I may accuse my selfe
For any facts committed, that with iustice,
Can raise your anger to this height against me.
Pul.
Pride and forgetfulnesse would not let thee see that,
Against which now thou canst not close thine eyes.
What iniury could be equall to thy late
Contempt of my good counsell, when I vrg'd
The Emperors prodigall bounties, and intreated
That you would vse your power to giue 'em limits,
Or, at the least, a due consideration
Of such as su'd, and for what, ere he sign'd it?
In opposition you brought against me
Th'obedience of a wife, that Ladyes were not,
Being well accommodated by their Lords,
To question, but much lesse to crosse their pleasures;
Nor would you, though the Emperor were resolu'd
To giue away his Scepter, hinder it,
Since 'twas done for your honor, couering with
False colors of humility your ambition.
Ath.
And is this my offence?
Pul.
As wicked counsell
Is still most hurtfull vnto those that giue it;
Such as deny to follow what is good,
In reason, are the first that must repent it.
When I please you shall heare more, in the meane time
From an Empresse to a bondewoman.
Theod.
Force the doores,
Kill those that dare resist.
Enter Theodosius. Paulinus. Philanax. Chrysapius. Gratianus.
Ath.
Deere Sir redeeme mee.
Flaccilla.
O suffer not, for your owne honors sake,
The Empresse you so late lou'd to bee made
A prisoner in the court.
Arcad.
Leape to his lippes,
You'll finde them the best sanctuarie.
Flaccilla.
And trie then,
What interest my reuerend Sister hath
To force you from 'em.
Theod.
What strange may-game's this?
Though done in sport, how ill this leuitie
Becomes your wisdome?
Pulch.
I am serious Sir,
And haue done nothing but what you in honor,
And as you are your selfe an Emperour,
Stand bound to iustifie.
Theod.
Take heed, put not these
Strange trialls on my patience.
Pulcher.
Doe not you Sir,
Denie your owne act; as you are a man,
And stand on your owne bottomes, 'twill appeare
A childish weakenes to make void a grant,
Sign'd by your sacred hand, and seale, and strengthend
With a religious oth, but with my licence,
Neuer to be recall'd. For some few minutes,
Let reason rule your passion, and in this,
deliuers the deed.
Bee pleas'd to reade my interest; you will finde there
What you in me call violence, is iustice,
And that I may make vse of what's mine owne,
And what an Emperour giues, should stand as firme
As the celestiall poles vpon the shoulders
Of Atlas, or his successor in that office
The greate Alcides.
Theod.
Miseries of more waight,
Then 'tis faind they supported, fall vpon mee,
What hath my rashnesse done? in this transaction
Drawne, in expresse and formall termes I haue
Giuen and consign'd into your handes, to vse
And obserue, as you please, my deere Eudoxa.
It is my deed, I doe confesse it is,
And as I am my selfe, not to bee cancell'd:
But yet you may shew mercie, and you will,
When you consider that there is no beauty,
So perfit in a creature, but is soilde
With some vnbeseeming blemish; you haue labour'd
To build mee vp a compleate Prince, 'tis granted,
Yet as I am a man, like other Monarchs,
I haue defects and frayleties, my facilitie,
To send petitioners with pleas'd lookes from me,
Is all I can be charg'd with, and it will
Become your wisdome, (since 'tis in your power)
In charitie to prouide, I fall no further
Or in my oth, or honor.
Pul.
Royall Sir,
This was the marke I aim'd at, and I glorie
At the length, you so conceaue it. 'twas a weakenes
To measure by your owne integritie
The purposes of others. I haue showne you
In a true mirror what fruite growes vpon
The tree of hudwinckt bounty, and what dangers
Precipitation in the managing
Your great affaires produceth.
Theod.
I embrace it
As a graue aduertisement, and vow heereafter
Neuer to signe petitions at this rate.
For mine, see Sir, 'tis cancel'd, on my knees
I redeliuer what I now beg'd from you.
Teares the deed:
Shee is my second gift.
Theod.
Which if I part from
Till death diuorce vs.
Kissing Athen.
Athendis.
So Sir,
Theod.
Nay sweete chide not
I am punish'd in thy lookes, defer the rest,
Till we are more priuate.
Pulch.
I aske pardon too
If in my personated passion I
Appeard to harshe, and rough.
Ath.
'Twas gentle language, what I was then considerd
Pulch.
O deere Madame,
It was decorum in the Scane:
Athen.
This triall,
When I was Athenais, might haue pass'd,
But as I am the Empresse.
Theod.
Nay no anger,
Since all good was intended.
Exeunt. Theodosius. Athenais. Arcadia. Flaccilla.
Pulcheria.
Building on,
That certaine base, I feare not what can follow,
Exit Pulch.
Paulinus.
These are strange deuices Philanax.
Philan.
True my Lord,
May all turne to the best.
Grat.
The Emperours lookes
Promis'd a calme.
Chrysapius.
But the vex'd Empresse frownes
Presag'd a second storme.
Paul.
I am sure I feele one,
In my legge already.
Philan.
Your old friend, the goute?
Paul.
My forc'd companion, Philanax.
Chrys.
To your rest:
Rest and forbearing wine, with a temperate dyet,
Though many Montebancks pretend the cure of't,
I haue found my best Physitians,
Phil.
Ease to your Lordship.
Exeunt.
The ende of the third Act.
| The Emperovr of the East | |