 | The Tragedy of Thierry and Theodoret |  |
Actus Secundus.
Scæna Prima.
Enter Thierry, Brunhalt, Bawdber, Lecure, &c.Thier.
You are here in a sanctuary; and that viper
(Who since he hath forgot to be a Son,
I much disdain to think of as a brother)
Had better, in despight of all the gods,
To have raiz'd their Temples, and spurn'd down their Altars,
Than in his impious abuse of you,
To have call'd on my just anger.
Brun.
Princely Son;
And in this, worthy of a near name
I have in the relation of my wrongs,
Been modest, and no word my tongue deliver'd
T'express my insupportable injuries,
But gave my heart a wound: Nor has my grief
Being from what I suffer; But that he,
Degenerate as he is, should be the actor
Of my extremes; And force me to divide
The fiers of brotherly affection,
Which should make but one flame.
Thier.
That part of his
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The tears of Orphans, Widows, or all such
As dare acknowledge him to be their Lord,
Ioyn'd to your wrongs, with his heart blood have power
To put it out: and you, and these your servants,
Who in our favours shal find cause to know
In that they left not you, how dear we hold them;
Shal give Theodoret to understand,
His ignorance of the prizeless Jewel, which
He did possess in you, mother in you,
Of which I am more proud to be the donor,
Than if th'absolute rule of all the world
Were offer'd to this hand; Once more you are welcome,
Which with all ceremony due to greatness
I would make known, but that our just revenge
Admits not of delay; Your hand Lord Generall.
Enter Protaldie, with soldiers.
Brun.
Your favor and his merit I may say
Have made him such, but I am jelous how
Your subjects will receive it.
Thier.
How my subjects?
What doe you make of me? Oh heaven! My subjects!
How base should I esteem the name of Prince
If that poor dust, were any thing before
The whirle-wind of my absolute command?
Let 'em be happy and rest so contented:
They pay the tribute of their hearts & knees,
To such a Prince that not alone has power,
To keep his own but to increase it; That
Although he hath a body may add to
The fam'd night labor of strong Hercules:
Yet is the master of a continence
That so can temper it, that I forbear
Their daughters, and their wives, whose hands though strong,
As yet have never drawn by unjust mean
Their proper wealth into my treasury,
But I grow glorious, and let them beware
That in their least repining at my pleasures,
They change not a mild Prince, (for if provok'd
I dare and will be so) into a Tyrant.
Brun.
You see there's hope that we shall rule again,
And your fal'n fortunes rise.
Bawd.
I hope your Highness
Is pleas'd that I should still hold my place with you;
For I have been so long us'd to provide you
Fresh bits of flesh since mine grew stale, that surely
If cashir'd now, I shall prove a bad Cator
In the Fish-market of cold chastity,
Lecure.
For me I am your own, nor since I first
Knew what it was to serve you, have remembred
I had a soul, but such an one whose essence
Depended wholy on your Highness pleasure,
And therefore Madam—
Brun.
Rest assur'd you are
Such instruments we must not lose.
Lecure., Bawd.
Our service.
Thier.
You have view'd them then, what's your opinion of them?
In this dull time of peace, we have prepar'd 'em
Apt for the war. Ha?
Prota.
Sir, they have limbs
That promise strength sufficient, and rich armors
The Soldiers best lov'd wealth: More, it appears
They have been drill'd, nay very pretily drill'd:
For many of them can discharge their muskets
Without the danger of throwing off their heads,
Or being offensive to the standers by,
By sweating too much backwards; Nay I find
They know the right, and left hand file, and may
With some impulsion no doubt be brought
To pass the A, B, C, of war, and come
Unto the Horn-book.
Thier.
Well, that care is yours;
And see that you effect it.
Prota.
I am slow
To promise much, But if within ten days,
By precepts and examples, not drawn from
Worm-eaten presidents of the Roman wars
But from mine own, I make them not transcend
All that e'er yet bore armes, let it be said,
Protaldye brags, which would be unto me
As hatefull as to be esteem'd a coward:
For Sir, few Captaines know the way to win 'em,
And make the soldiers valiant. You shall seem
Lie with them in their trenches, talk, and drink,
And be together drunk; And, what seems stranger,
We'll sometimes wench together, which once practis'd
And with some other care and hidden acts,
They being all made mine, I'll breath into them
Such fearless resolution and such fervor,
That though I brought them to beseige a fort,
Whose walls were steeple high, and cannon proof,
Not to be undermin'd, they should fly up,
Like swallows: and the parapet once won,
For proof of their obedience, if I will'd them
They should leap down again, and what is more,
By some directions they should have from me,
Not break their necks.
Thi.
This is above belief.
Brun.
Sir, on my knowledg though he hath spoke much,
He's able to do more.
Lecure.
She means on her.
Brun.
And howsoever in his thankfulness,
For some few favors done him by my self,
He left Austracia, not Theodoret,
Though he was chiefly aim'd at, could have laid
Withall his Dukedomes power, that shame upon him,
Which in his barborous malice to my honor,
He swore with threats to effect.
Thier.
I cannot but
Believe you Madam, thou art one degree
Grown nearer to my heart, and I am proud
To have in thee so glorious a plant
Transported hither, In thy conduct, we
Go on assur'd of conquest; our remove
Shall be with the next Sun.
Enter Theoderet, Memberge, Martell, Devitry.
Lecure.
Amazement leave me, 'tis he.
Bawd.
We are again undone.
Prot.
Our guilt hath no assurance nor defence.
Bawd.
If now your ever ready wit fail to protect us,
We shall be all discover'd
Brun.
Be not so
In your amazement and your foolish fears,
I am prepared for't.
Theod.
How? Not one poor welcome,
In answer of so long a journey made
Only to see your brother.
Thier.
I have stood
Silent thus long, and am yet unresolv'd
Whether to entertaine thee on my sword,
As sits a parricide of a mothers honor;
Or whether being a Prince, I yet stand bound
(Though thou art here condemn'd) to give thee hearing
Before I execute. What foolish hope,
(Nay pray you forbear) or desperate madness rather,
(Unless thou com'st assur'd, I stand in debt
As far to all impiety as thy self)
Has made thee bring thy neck unto the axe?
Since looking only here, it cannot but
Draw fresh blood from thy fear'd up conscience,
To make thee sensible of that horror, which
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Like said I? Thou art worse: since thou darest strive
In her defame to murther thine alive.
Theod.
That she that long since had the boldness to
Be a bad woman, (though I wish some other
Should so report her) could not want the cunning,
(Since they go hand in hand) to lay fair colors
On her black crimes, I was resolv'd before,
Nor make I doubt but that she hath impoyson'd
Your good opinion of me, and so far
Incens'd your rage against me, that too late
I come to plead my innocence.
Brun.
To excuse thy impious scandalls rather.
Prot.
Rather forc'd with fear to be compel'd to come.
Thierry.
Forbear.
Theod.
This moves not me, and yet had I not been
Transported on my own integrity,
I neither am so odious to my subjects,
Nor yet so barren of defence, but that
By force I could have justified my guilt,
Had I been faulty, but since innocence
Is to it self an hundred thousand gards,
And that there is no Son, but though he owe
That name to an ill mother, but stands bound
Rather to take away with his own danger
From the number of her faults, than for his own
Security, to add unto them. This,
This hath made me to prevent th'expence
Of bloud on both sides, the injuries, the rapes,
(Pages, that ever wait upon the war:)
The account of all which, since you are the cause,
Believe it, would have been required from you;
Rather I say to offer up my daughter,
Who living onely could revenge my death,
With my heart blood a sacrifice to your anger
Than that you should draw on your head more curses
Than yet you have deserved.
Thier.
I do begin
To feel an alteration in my nature,
And in his full sail'd confidence, a showre
Of gentle rain, that falling on the fire
Of my hot rage hath quenched it, ha! I would
Once more speak roughly to him, and I will,
Yet there is something whispers to me, that
I have said too much. How is my heart devided
Between the duty of a Son, and love
Due to a brother! yet I am swayed here,
And must aske of you, how 'tis possible
You can effect me that have learned to hate,
Where you should pay all love?
Theod.
Which joyn'd with duty,
Upon my knees I should be proud to tender,
Had she not us'd her self so many swords
To cut those bonds that tide me to it.
Thier.
Fie no more of that.
Theod.
Alass it is a theme,
I take no pleasure to discourse of; Would
It could assoon be buried to the world,
As it should die to me: nay more, I wish
(Next to my part of heaven) that she would spend
The last part of her life so here, that all
Indifferent Judges might condemn me, for
A most malicious slanderer, nay texde it
Upon my forehead, if you hate me mother,
Put me to such a shame, pray you do, believe it
There is no glory that may fall upon me,
Can equall the delight I should receive
In that disgrace; provided the repeal
Of your long banish'd virtues, and good name,
Usher'd me to it.
Thier.
See, she shews her self
An ensie mother, which her tears confirme.
Theod.
'Tis a good sign, the comfortablest rain
I ever saw.
Thier.
Embrace: Why this is well,
May never more but love in you, and duty
On your part rise between you.
Bawd.
Do you hear Lord Generall,
Does not your new stamp'd honor on the suddain
Begin to grow sick?
Prota.
Yes I find it fit,
That putting off my armor I should think of
Some honest hospitall to retire to.
Bawd.
Sure although I am a bawd, yet being a Lord,
They cannot whip me for't, what's your opinion?
Lecure.
The beadle will resolve you, for I cannot,
There is something that more near concerns my self,
That calls upon me.
Mart.
Note but yonder scarabs,
That liv'd upon the dung of her base pleasures,
How from the fear that she may yet prove honest
Hang down their wicked heads.
Vitry.
What is that to me?
Though they and all the polcats of the Court,
Were trust together, I perceive not how
It can advantage me a cardekue,
To help to keep me honest.
A horn.
Enter a Post.
Thier.
How, from whence?
Post.
These letters will resolve your grace.
Thier.
What speak they?
Reads.
How all things meet to make me this day happy?
See mother, brother, to your reconcilement
Another blessing almost equall to it,
Is coming towards me; My contracted wife
Ordella, daughter of wise Datarick,
The King of Aragon is on our confines;
Then to arrive at such a time, when you
Are happily here to honor with your presence
Our long defer'd, but much wish'd nuptiall,
Falls out above expression; Heaven be pleas'd
That I may use these blessings powr'd on me
With moderation.
Brun.
Hell and furies ayd me,
That I may have power to avert the plagues
That press upon me.
Thier.
Two dayes journy sayest thou,
We will set forth to meet her: in the mean time
See all things be prepar'd to entertain her;
Nay let me have your companies, there's a Forrest
In the mid way shall yeild us hunting sport,
To ease our travel, I'll not have a brow
But shall wear mirth upon it, therefore clear them.
We'll wash away, all sorrow in glad feasts;
And the war we mean to men, we'll make on beasts.
Exeunt omnes, præter Brun. Bawdber, Portaldy. Lecure.
Brun.
Oh that I had the Magick to transforme you
Into the shape of such, that your own hounds
Might tear you peece-meale; Are you so stupid?
No word of comfort? have I fed you mothers
From my excess of moysture, with such cost
And can you yeild no other retribution,
But to devour your maker, pandar sponge,
Impoysoner, all grown barren?
Prota.
You your self
That are our mover, and for whom alone
We live, have fail'd yourself in giving way
To the reconcilement of your Son.
Lecure.
Which if
You had prevented, or would teach us how
They might again be sever'd, we could easily
Remove all other hind'rance; that stop
The passage of your pleasures.
Baud.
And for me,
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Fresh delicats, hang me.
Brun.
Oh you are dull, and find not
The cause of my vexation; Their reconcilement
Is a mock castle built upon the sand
By children, which when I am pleas'd to o'rethrow,
I can with ease spurn down.
Lecure.
If so, from whence
Grows your affliction?
Brun.
My grief comes along
With the new Queen, in whose grace all my power
Must suffer shipwrack, for me now,
That hitherto have kept the first, to know
A second place, or yeeld the least precedence
To any others death; To have my sleeps
Less enquir'd after, or my rising up
Saluted with less reverence, or my gates
Empty of suitors, or the Kings great favours
To pass through any hand but mine, or he
Himself to be directed by another,
Would be to me: doe you understand me, yet
No meanes to prevent this.
Prota.
Fame gives her out
To be a woman of chastity
Not to be wrought upon; and therefore Madam
For me, though I have pleas'd you, to attempt her
Were to no purpose.
Brun.
Tush, some other way.
Baud.
Faith I know none else, all my bringing up
Aim'd at no other learning.
Lecure.
Give me leave,
If my art fail me not, I have thought on
A speeding project.
Brun.
What i'st? but effect it,
And thou shalt be my Æsculapius,
Thy image shall be set up in pure gold,
To which I'll fall down and worship it.
Lecure.
The Lady is fair.
Brun.
Exceeding fair.
Lecure.
And young.
Brun.
Some fifteen at the most.
Lecure.
And loves the King with equall ardor.
Brun.
More, she dotes on him.
Lecure.
Well then, think you if I make a drink
Which given unto him on the bridall night
Shall for five days so rob his faculties,
Of all ability to pay that duty,
Which new made wives expect, that she shall swear
She is not match'd to a man.
Prota.
'Twere rare.
Lecure.
And then,
If she have any part of woman in her,
She'll or fly out, or at least give occasion
Of such a breach which nere can be made up,
Since he that to all else did never fail
Of as much as could be perform'd by man
Proves only Ice to her.
Brun.
'Tis excellent.
Bawd.
The Physitian
Helps ever at a dead lift; a fine calling,
That can both raise, and take down, out upon thee.
Brun.
For this one service I'm ever thine,
Prepare it; I'll give it him my self, for you Protaldye,
By this kiss, and our promis'd sport at night,
Doe conjure you to bear up, not minding
The opposition of Theodoret,
Or any of his followers; What so ere
You are, yet appear valiant, and make good
The opinion that is had of you: For my self
In the new Queens remove, being made secure,
Fear not, I'll make the future building sure,
Exeunt.
Wind horns.
Enter Theodoret, Thierry.
Theod.
This Stag stood well, and cunningly.
Thierry.
My horse,
I'm sure, has found it, for her sides are
Blooded from slank to shoulder, where's the troop?
Enter Martell.
Theodoret.
Past homeward, weary and tir'd as we are,
Now Martell, have you remembred what we thought of?
Mart.
Yes Sir, I have snigled him, and if there be
Any desert in his blood, beside the itch,
Or manly heat, but what decoctions
Leaches, and callifes have cram'd into him,
Your Lordship shall know perfect.
Thier.
What's that, may not I know too;
Theod.
Yes Sir,
To that end we cast the project.
Thierry.
What i'st?
Mart.
A desire Sir,
Upon the gilded flag your Graces favor
Has stuck up for a Generall, and to inform you,
For this hour he shall pass the test, what valour,
Staid judgement, soul, or safe discretion
Your mothers wandring eyes, and your obedience
Have slung upon us, to assure your knowledge,
He can be, dare be, shall be, must be nothing,
Load him with piles of honors; Set him off
With all the cunning foyls that may deceive us:
But a poor, cold, unspirited, unmanner'd,
Unhonest, unaffected, undone, fool,
And most unheard of coward, a meer lump
Made to loade beds withall, and like a night-mare,
Ride Ladies that forget to say their prayers,
One that dares only be diseas'd, and in debt,
Whose body mewes more plaisters every month,
Than women doe old faces.
Thier.
No more, I know him,
I now repent my error, take your time
And try him home, ever thus far reserv'd,
You tie your anger up.
Mart.
I lost it else Sir.
Thier.
Bring me his sword fair taken without violence.
For that will best declare him.
Theod.
That's the thing.
Their.
And my best horse is thine.
Mart.
Your Graces servant.
Exit.
Theod.
You I'll hunt no more Sir.
Thier.
Not to day, the weather
Is grown too warm, besides the dogs are spent,
We'll take a cooler morning, let's to horse,
And hollow in the troop.
Exeunt.
Wind horns.
Enter 2 Huntsmen.
1.
I marry Twainer,
This woman gives indeed, these are the Angels
That are the keepers saints.
2.
I like a woman
That handles the deers dowsets with discretion;
And payes us by proportion.
1.
'Tis no treason
To think this good old Lady has a stump yet
That may require a corrall.
2.
And the bells too.
Enter Protaldye.
Shee has lost a friend of me else, but here's the clark,
No more for feare o'th' bell ropes.
Prota.
How now Keepers,
Saw you the King?
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Yes Sir, he's newly mounted,
And as we take 't ridden home.
Pro,
Farewll then.
Exit Keepers.
Enter Martell.
My honour'd Lord, Fortune has made me happy
To meet with such a man of men to side me.
Protald.
How Sir, I know ye not
Nor what your fortune means.
Mart.
Few words shall serve, I am betrai'd Sir:
Innocent and honest; malice and violence,
Are both against me, basely and foully layd for;
For my life Sir, danger is now about me,
Now in my throat Sir.
Protald.
Where Sir?
Mart.
Nay I fear not,
And let it now powr down in storms upon me,
I have met with a noble guard.
Prot.
Your meaning Sir,
For I have present business.
Mart.
O my Lord,
Your honor cannot leave a gentleman
At least a fair design of this brave nature,
To which your worth is wedded, your profession
Hatcht in, and made one peece in such a perill,
There are but six my Lord.
Prot.
What six?
Mart.
Six villains sworn, and in pay to kill me.
Protaldye.
Six?
Mart.
Alas Sir, what can six do, or sixscore, now you are present?
Your name will blow 'em off: say they have shot too,
Who dare present a peece? your valour's proof Sir.
Prot.
No, I'll assure you Sir, nor my discretion
Against a multitude; 'Tis true, I dare fight
Enough, and well enough, and long enough:
But wisedome Sir, and weight of what is on me,
In which I am no more mine own, nor yours Sir,
Nor as I take it any single danger,
But what concerns my place, tels me directly,
Beside my person, my fair reputation,
If I thrust into crowds, and seek occasions
Suffers opinion, six? Why Hercules
Avoyded two men, yet not to give example;
But only for your present dangers sake Sir,
Were there but four Sir, I car'd not if I kill'd them,
They will serve to whet my sword.
Mart.
There are but four Sir,
I did mistake them; but four such as Europe,
Excepting your great valour.
Prot.
Well consider'd,
I will not meddle with 'em, four in honor,
Are equall with fourscore, besides they're people
Only directed by their fury.
Mart.
So much nobler shall be your way of justice.
Prot.
That I find not.
Mart.
You will not leave me thus?
Prot.
I would not leave you, but look you Sir,
Men of my place and business, must not
Be question'd thus.
Mart.
You cannot pass Sir,
Now they have seen me with you without danger.
They are here Sir, within hearing, take but two.
Prot.
Let the law take 'em; take a tree Sir
I'll take my horse, that you may keep with safety,
If they have brought no hand-saws, within this hour
I'll send you rescue, and a toyl to take 'em.
Mart.
You shall not goe so poorly, stay but one Sir.
Prot.
I have been so hamper'd with these rescues,
So hew'd an tortur'd, that the truth is Sir,
I have mainly vowd against 'em, yet for your sake,
If as you say there be but one, I'll stay.
And see fair play o' both sides.
Mart.
There is no
More Sir, and as I doubt a base one too.
Prot.
Fie on him, goe lug him out by th'ears.
Mart.
Yes,
This is he Sir, the basest in the kingdome.
Prot.
Do you know me?
Mart.
Yes, for a generall fool,
A knave, a coward, and upstart stallion bawb,
Beast, barking puppy, that dares not bite.
Prot.
The best man best knows patience.
Mart.
Yes,
This way Sir, now draw your sword, and right you,
Or render it to me, for one you shall doe.
Pro.
If wearing it may do you any honor,
I shall be glad to grace you, there it is Sir.
Mart.
Now get you home, and tell your Lady Mistris,
Shee has shot up a sweet mushrum; quit your place too,
And say you are counsel'd well, thou wilt be beaten else
By thine own lanceprisadoes; when they know thee,
That tuns of oyl of roses will not cure thee;
Goe get you to your foyning work at Court,
And learn to sweat again, and eat dry mutton;
An armor like a frost will search your bones
And make you roar you rogue, Not a reply,
For if you doe, your ears goe off.
Prot.
Still patience.
Exeunt.
Loud musick, A Banquet set out.
Enter Thierry, Ordella, Brunhalt, Theodoret, Lecure, Bawdber. &c.
Thier.
It is your place, and though in all things else
You may and ever shall command me, yet
In this I'll be obey'd.
Ordella.
Sir, the consent,
That made me yours, shall never teach me to
Repent I am so; yet be you but pleas'd
To give me leave to say so much; The honor
You offer me were better given to her,
To whom you owe the power of giving.
Thier.
Mother,
You hear this and rejoyce in such a blessing
That payes to you so large a share of duty,
But fie no more, for as you hold a place
Nearer my heart than she, you must sit nearest
To all those graces, that are in the power
Of Majesty to bestow.
Brun.
Which I'll provide,
Shall be short liv'd Lecure.
Lecure.
I have it ready.
Brun.
'Tis well, wait on our cup.
Lecure.
You honor me.
Thier.
We are dull,
No obiect to provoke mirth.
Theod.
Martell,
If you remember Sir, will grace your Feast,
With some thing that will yield matter of mirth,
Fit for no common view.
Thier.
Touching Protaldye.
Theod.
You have it.
Brun.
What of him, I fear his baseness
aside.
In spight of all the titles that my favours
Have cloth'd him, which will make discovery
Of what is yet conceal'd.
Enter Martell.
Theod.
Look Sir, he has it,
Nay we shall have peace when so great a soldier
As the renoun'd Portaldye, will give up
His sword rather then use it.
Brun.
'Twas thy plot,
Which I will turn on thine own head.
aside.
457
Pray you speak,
How won you him to part from't?
Mart.
Won him Sir,
He would have yielded it upon his knees
Before he would have hazarded the exchange
Of a philip of the forehead: had you will'd me
I durst have undertook he should have sent you
His Nose, provided that the loss of it
Might have sav'd the rest of his face: he is, Sir
The most unutterable coward that e'er nature
Blest with hard shoulders, which were only given him,
To the ruin of bastinados.
Thier.
Possible?
Theod.
Observe but how she frets.
Mart.
Why believe it:
But that I know the shame of this disgrace,
Will make the beast to live with such, and never
Presume to come more among men; I'll hazard
My life upon it, that a boy of twelve
Should scourge him hither like a Parish Top,
And make him dance before you.
Brun.
Slave thou liest,
Thou dar'st as well speak Treason in the hearing
Of those that have the power to punish it,
As the least syllable of this before him,
But 'tis thy hate to me.
Martel.
Nay, pray you Madam,
I have no ears to hear you, though a foot
To let you understand what he is.
Brun.
Villany.
Theod.
You are too violent.
Enter Protaldye.
The worst that can come
Is blanketing; for beating, and such virtues
I have been long acquainted with.
Mart.
Oh strange!
Bawdb.
Behold the man you talk of.
Brun.
Give me leave,
Or free thy self, (think in what place you are)
From the soul imputation that is laid
Upon thy valour (be bold, I'll protect you)
Or here I vow (deny it or forswear it)
These honors which thou wear'st unworthily,
Which be but impudent enough, and keep them,
Shall be torn from thee with thy eyes.
Prot.
I have it,
My volour! is there any here beneath,
The stile of King, dares question it?
Thier.
This is rare.
Prot.
Which of my my actions, which have still been noble,
Has rend'rd me suspected?
Thier.
Nay Martel
You must not fall off.
Mart.
Oh Sir, fear it not,
Doe you know this sword?
Prot.
Yes.
Mart.
Pray you on what terms
Did you part with it?
Prot.
Part with it say you?
Mart.
So.
Thier.
Nay, study not an answer, confess freely.
Prot.
Oh I remember't now at the Stags falls,
As we to day were hunting, a poor fellow,
And now I view you better, I may say
Much of your pitch: this silly wretch I spoke of
With his petition falling at my feet,
(Which much against my Will he kist,) desir'd
That as a special means for his preferment,
I would vouchsafe to let him use my sword,
To cut off the Stags head,
Brun.
Will you hear that?
Bawdb.
This Lye bears a similitude of Truth.
Prot.
I ever courteous, (a great weakness in me)
Granted his humble suit.
Mart.
Oh impudence?
Thier.
This change is excellent.
Mart.
A word with you,
Deny it not, I was that man disguis'd,
You know my temper, and as you respect
A daily cudgeling for one whole year,
Without a second pulling by the ears,
Or tweaks by th'nose, or the most precious balm
You us'd of patience, patience do you mark me,
Confess before these Kings with what base fear
Thou didst deliver it.
Prot.
Oh, I should burst,
And if I have not instant liberty
To tear this fellow limb by limb, the wrong.
Will break my heart, although Herculean,
And somewhat bigger; there's my gage, pray you hear,
Let me redeem my credit.
Thier.
Ha, ha, forbear.
Mart.
Pray you let me take it up, and if I do not,
Against all odds of Armor and of Weapons,
With this make him confess it on his knees
Cut off my head.
Prot.
No, that's my office,
Bawdb.
Fie, you take the Hangmans place.
Ordel.
Nay, good my Lord
Let me attone this difference, do not suffer
Our bridal night to be the Centaurs Feast.
You 're a Knight, and bound by oath to grant
All just suits unto Ladies; for my sake
Forget your suppos'd wrong.
Prot.
Well let him thank you,
For your sake he shall live, perhaps a day;
And may be, on submission longer.
Theod.
Nay Martel you must be patient.
Mart.
I am yours,
And this slave shall be once more mine.
Thier.
Sit all;
One health, and so to bed, for I too long
Deferr my choicest delicates.
Brun.
Which if poison
Have any power, thou shalt like Tantalus
Behold and never taste, be careful.
Lecu.
Fear not.
Brun.
Though it be rare in our Sex, yet for once
I will begin a health.
Thier.
Let it come freely.
Brun.
Lecure, the cup; here to the son we hope
This night shall be an Embrion.
Thier.
You have nam'd
A blessing that I most desir'd, I pledge you;
Give me a larger cup, that is too little
Unto so great a god.
Brun.
Nay, then you wrong me,
Follow as I began.
Thier.
Well as you please.
Brun.
Is't done?
Lecu.
Unto your wish I warrant you,
For this night I durst trust him with my Mother.
Thier.
So 'tis gone round, lights.
Brun,
Pray you use my service.
Ordel.
'Tis that which I shall ever owe you, Madam,
And must have none from you, pray pardon me.
Thier.
Good rest to all.
Theod.
And to your pleasant labour.
Mart.
Your company, Madam, good night
Exeunt all but Brunhalt, Protal, Lecure, Bawdber.
Brun.
Nay, you have cause to blush, but I will hide it,
And what's more, I forgive you; is't not pity
That thou that art the first to enter combate
With any Woman, and what is more, o'ercome her,
In which she is best pleas'd, should be so
To meet a man.
458
Why would you have me lose
That bloud that is dedicated to your service
In any other quarrel?
Brun.
No, reserve it.
As I will study to preserve thy credit:
You sirrah, be't your care to find out one
That is poor, though valiant, that at any rate
Will, to redeem my servants reputation,
Receive a publique baffling.
Bawdb.
Would your Highness
Were pleas'd to inform me better of your purpose.
Brun.
Why one, Sir, that would thus be box'd
Or kick'd, do you apprehend me now?
Bawdb.
I feel you Madam,
The man that shall receive this from my Lord,
Shall have a thousand crowns.
Pro.
He shall,
Bawdb.
Besides
His day of bastinadoing past o'er,
He shall not lose your grace, nor your good favour?
Brun.
That shall make way to it.
Bawdb.
It must be a man
Of credit in the Court, that is to be
The foil unto your volour.
Prot.
True, it should.
Bawdb.
And if he have place there, 'tis not the worse.
Brun.
'Tis much the better.
Bawdb.
If he be a Lord,
'Twill be the greater grace
Brun.
Thou art in the right.
Bawdb.
Why then behold that valiant man and Lord,
That for your sake will take a cudgeling:
For be assur'd, when it is spread abroad
That you have dealt with me, they'll give you out
For one of the Nine Worthies.
Brun.
Out you pandar,
Why, to beat thee is only exercise
For such as do affect it, lose not time
In vain replies, but do it: come my solace
Let us to bed, and our desires once quench'd
We'll there determine of Theodorets death
For he's the Engine us'd to ruin us;
Yet one work more, Lecure, art thou assur'd
The potion will work?
Lecure.
My life upon it,
Brun.
Come my Protaldye, then glut me with
Those best delights of man, that are deny'd
To her that does expect them, being a Bride.
| The Tragedy of Thierry and Theodoret | |