University of Virginia Library

Actus Secundus.

Scæna prima.

Enter the Emperour, Maximus, Lycinius, Proculus, Chilax, as at Dice.
Emp.
Nay ye shall set my hand out, tis not just
I should neglect my fortune, now tis prosperous.

Lyc.
If I have any thing to set your Grace,
But Clothes or good conditions, let me perish,
You have all my mony Sir;

Pro.
And mine,

Chi.
And mine too.

Max.
Vnlesse your Grace will credit us,

Emp.
No bare boord,

Lyc.
Then at my Garden-House;

Emp.
The Orchard too.

Lyc.
And 't please your Grace,

Emp.
Have at 'em,

Pro.
They are lost;

Lyc.
Why farewell Fig-trees,

Emp.
Who sets more?

Chil.
At my Horse Sir,

Emp.
The dapl'd Spaniard?

Chil.
He.

Emp.
He's mine,

Chil.
He is so;

Max.
Your shorthorse is soone curried:

Chil.
So it seemes Sir,
So may your Mare be too, if luck serve.

Max.
Ha?

Ch.
Nothing my Lord but grieving at my fortune,

Emp.
Come Maximus, you were not wont to flinch thus

Max.
By Heaven Sir, I have lost all.

Emp.
Ther's a ring yet,

Max.
This was not made to loose Sir,

Emp.
Some love token;
Set it I say;

Max.
I doe beseech your Grace,
Rather name any house I have.

Emp.
How strange,
And curious you are growne of toyes? redeem't
If so I win it, when you please, to morrow,
Or next day as ye will, I care not,
But only for my luck sake: Tis not Rings
Can make me richer.

Max.
Will you throw Sir? there 'tis:

Emp.
Why then have at it fairely: myne.

Max.
Your Grace
Is only ever fortunate: to morrow,
An't be your pleasure Sir, Ile pay the price on't;

Emp.
To morrow you shall have it without price Sir,
But this day 'tis my victory: good Maximus,
Now I bethink my selfe, goe to Æcius,
And bid him muster all the Cohorts presently;
They mutiny for pay I heare, and be you
Assistant to him; when you know their numbers,
Ye shall have monyes for 'em, and above
Something to stop their tongues withall.

Max.
I will Sir,
And gods preserve you in this mind still.

Emp.
Shortly Ile see 'em march my selfe.

Max.
Gods ever keep ye.—
Exit Max.

Emp.
To what end doe you think this ring shall serve now?
For you are fellowes only know by roate,
As birds record their lessons.

Chil.
For the Lady,

Emp.
But how for her?

Chil.
That I confesse I know not,

Emp.
Then pray for him that do's: fetch me an Eunuch
That never saw her yet: and you two see
Exit. Chil.
The Court made like a Paradise.

Lyc.
We will Sir.

Emp.
Full of faire shewes and Musiques; all your arts
(As I shall give instructions) screw to 'th highest,
For my maine peece is now a doing: and for feare
You should not take, Ile have an other engine,
Such as if vertue be not only in her,
She shall not choose but leane to, let the women
Put on a graver shew of welcome.

Pro.
Well Sir.

Emp.
They are a thought too eager.—

Enter Chilax and Lycias the Eunuch.
Chil.
Here's the Eunuch,

Eun.
Long life to Cesar.

Emp.
I must use you Lycias:
Come let's walk in, and then Ile shew ye all:
If women may be fraile, this wench shall fall.

Exeunt.

Scæne 2.

Enter Claudia, and Marcellina.
Claudia.
Sirrha, what ayles my Lady, that of late
She never cares for company?

Mar.
I know not,
Vnlesse it be that company causes Cuckolds.

Clau.
That were a childish feare;

Mar.
What were those Ladyes,
Came to her lately,
From the Court?

Clau.
The same wench.
Some grave Instructors on my life, they look
For all the world like old hactht hilts.

Mar.
Tis true wench.
For here and there, and yet they painted well too,
One might discover where the gold was worne
Their Iron ages.

Clau.
If my judgment faile not,
They have been sheathed like rotten ships,

Mar.
It may be.

Clau.
For if ye mark their rudders, they hang weakly.

Mar.
They have past the line belike: wouldst live Clau.
Till thou wert such as they are?

Clau.
Chimney pieces.
Now heaven have mercy on me, and young men,
I had rather make a drallery till thirty,
While I were able to endure a tempest,
And beare my fights out bravely, till my tackle
Whistled i'th wind, and held against all weathers,
While I were able to beare with my tyres
And so discharg 'em, I would willingly
Live Marcellina, not till barnacles
Bred in my sides.

Mar.
Thou art i'th right wench.
For who would live, whom pleasures had forsaken,
To stand at marke, and cry a bow short signeur?
Were there not men came hither too?

Clau.
Brave fellowes.
I feare me Bawdes of five i'th' pound.

Mar.
How know you?

Clau.
They gave me great lights to it.

Mar.
Take heed Claudia.

Clau.
Let them take heed, the spring comes on.

Mar.
To me now,
They seem'd as noble visitants.

Clau.
To me now
Nothing lesse Marcellina, for I marke 'em,
And by this honest light, for yet tis morning,
Saving the reverence of their guilded doublets
And Millan skins.

Mar.
Thou art a strange wench Claudia.

Clau.
Ye are deceived, they shew'd to me directly
Court crabbs that creepe a side way for their living
I know 'em by the breeches that they beg'd last,

Mar.
Peace, my Lady comes; what may that be?

Clau.
A Sumner
Enter Lucina, and Lycias the Eunuch.
That cites her to appeare.

Mar.
No more of that wench.

Eun.
Madam, what answer to your Lord?

Luci.
Pray tell him, I am subject to his will,

Eun.
Why weepe you Madam?
Excellent Lady, there are none will hurt you.

Luci.
I do beseech you tell me Sir.

Eun.
What Lady?

Luci.
Serve ye the Emperor?

Eun.
I do.

Luci.
In what place?

Eun.
In's chamber Madam.

Luci.
Do ye serve his will too?

Eun.
In faire and just commands.

Luci.
Are ye a Romane?

Eun.
Yes noble Lady, and a Mantuan.

Luci.
What office bore your parents?

Eun.
One was Pretor.

Luci.
Take heed then how you staine his reputation,

Eun.
Why worthy Lady?

Luci.
If ye know, I charge ye,
Ought in this Message, but what honesty,
The trust and faire obedience of a servant,
May well deliver, yet take heed, and help me.

Eun.
Madam, I am no Broker;

Claud.
Ile be hangd then.

Eun.
Nor base procurer of mens lusts; Your husband,
Praid me to doe this office, I have done it,
It rests in you to come, or no:

Luc.
I will Sir;

Eun.
If ye mistrust me, doe not,

Luc.
Ye appeare so worthy,
And to all my sence so honest,
And this is such a certain signe ye have brought me,
That I believe.

Eun.
Why should I couzen you?
Or were I brib'd to doe this villany,
Can mony prosper, or the foole that takes it,
When such a vertue falls?

Luc.
Ye speake well Sir;
Would all the rest that serve the Emperour,
Had but your way.

Claud.
And so they have ad unguem:

Luc.
Pray tell my Lord, I have receivd his Token,
And will not faile to meete him; yet good Sir, thus much
Before you goe, I doe beseech ye too,
As little notice as ye can, deliver
Of my appearance there,

Eun.
It shall be Madam,
And so I wish you happinesse.

Luc.
I thank you.—

Exeunt.

Scæn. 2.

Enter Æcius pursuing Pontius the Captaine, and Maximus following.
Tumult & noise within.
Max.
Temper your selfe Æcius,

Pon.
Hold my Lord.
I am a Roman, and a Souldier,

Max.
Pray Sir;

Æci.
Thou art a lying Villaine, and a Traytor;
Give me my selfe, or by the Gods my friend
You'l make me dangerous; how dar'st thou pluck
The Souldiers to sedition, and I living,
And so Rebellion in 'em, and even then
When I am drawing out to action?

Pon.
Heare me,

Max.
Are yee a man?

Æci.
I am a true hearted Maximus,
And if the Villaine live, we are dishonourd.

Max.
But heare him what he can say.

Æci.
That's the way,
To pardon him; I am so easie naturd,
That if he speak but humbly I forgive him.

Pon.
I doe beseech yee Noble Generall,

Æci.
Has found the was already, give me rome,
One stroake, and if he scape me then ha's mercy;

Pon.
I doe not call yee Noble, that I feare ye,
I never care'd for death; if ye will kill me,
Consider first for what, not what you can doe;
Tis true, I know ye for my Generall,
And by that great Prerogative may kill:
But doe it justly then.

Æci.
He argues with me.
By Heaven a made up Rebell.

Max.
Pray consider,
What certaine grounds ye have for this.

Æci.
What grounds?
Did I not take him preaching to the Souldiers
How lazily they liv'd, and what dishonours
It was to serve a Prince so full of woman.
Those were his very words, friend;

Max.
These, Æcius,
Though they were rashly spoke, which was an errour
(A great one Pontius) yet from him that hungers
For warres, and brave imployment, might be pardond.
The heart, and harbourd thoughts of ill, make Traytors,
Not spleeny speeches.

Æci.
Why should you protect him?
Goe too, it shewes not honest;

Max.
Taynt me not,
For that shewes worse Æcius: All your friendship
And that pretended love ye lay upon me,
Hold back my honesty, is like a favour
You doe your slave to day, to morrow hang him,
Was I your bosome peece for this?

Æci.
Forgive me.
The nature of my zeale, and for my Country,
Makes me sometimes forgive my selfe; for know,
Though I most strive to be without my passions,
I am no God: For you Sir, whose infection
Ha's spread it selfe like poyson through the Army,
And cast a killing fogge on faire Allegiance,
First thank this Noble Gentleman, y'e had dy'de else.
Next from your place, and honour of a Souldier,
I here seclude you.

Pon.
May I speak yet?

Max.
Heare him:

Æci.
And while Æcius holds a reputation,
At least command, ye beare no Armes for Rome Sir.

Pon.
Against her I shall never: The condemnd man,
Ha's yet that priviledge to speak my Lord;
Law were not equall else.

Max.
Pray heare Aecius,
For happily the fault he has committed,
Though I believe it mighty, yet considered,
If mercy may be thought upon, will prove
Rather a hastie sin, then heynous.

Aec.
Speake.

Pon.
Tis true my Lord, ye took me tir'de with peace,
My words, almost as ragged as my fortunes.
Tis true I told the Souldier, whom we serv'd,
And then bewaild, we had an Emperour
Led from us by the flourishes of Fencers;
I blam'd him too for women.

Aec.
To the rest Sir;

Pon.
And like enough I blest him then as Souldiers
Will doe sometimes: Tis true I told 'em too,
We lay at home, to show our Country
We durst goe naked, durst want meate, and mony,
And when the Slave drinkes Wine, we durst be thirstie:
I told 'em this too, that the Trees and Roots
Were our best pay-masters; the Charity
Of longing women, that had bought our bodies,
Our beds, fires, Taylers, Nurses, Nay I told 'em,
(For you shall heare the greatest sin, I said Sir)
By that time there be wars agen, our bodies
Laden with scarres, and aches, and ill lodgings,
Heates, and perpetuall wants, were fitter praires,
And certaine graves, then cope the foe on crutches:
Tis likely too, I counselld 'em to turne
Their Warlike pikes to plough-shares, their sure Targets
And Swords hatcht with the bloud of many Nations,
To Spades, and pruning Knives, for those get mony,
Their warlike Eagles, into Dawes, or Starlings,
To give an Ave Cesar as he passes,
And be rewarded with a thousand dragma's
For thus we get but yeares and beets.

Æci.
What think you,
Were these words to be spoken by a Captain,
One that should give example?

Max.
'Twas too much;

Pon.
My Lord, I did not wooe 'em from the Empire,
Nor bid 'em turne their daring steele gainst Cæsar,
The Gods for ever hate me, if that motion
Were part of me: Give me but imployment, Sir;
And way to live, and where you hold me vicious,
Bred up in mutiny, my Sword shall tell ye,
And if you please, that place I held, maintaine it,
Gainst the most daring foes of Rome, I am honest,
A lover of my Country, one that holds
His life no longer his, then kept for Cæsar.
Weigh not (I thus low on my knee beseech you)
What my rude tongue discovered, t'was my want,
No other part of Pontius: you have seen me,
And you my Lord, doe something for my Country,
And both beheld the wounds I gave and took,
Not like a backward Traytor.

Æci.
All this language,
Makes but against you Pontius, you are cast,
And by mine honor, and my love to Cæsar,
By me shall never be restord; In my Campe
I will not have a tongue, though to himselfe
Dare talke but neere sedition; as I governe,
All shall obey, and when they want, their duty
And ready service shall redresse their needs,
Not prating what they would be.

Pon.
Thus I leave ye,
Yet shall my praires still, although my fortunes
Must follow you no more, be still about ye,
Gods give ye where ye fight the Victory,
Ye cannot cast my wishes.

Æci.
Come my Lord,
Now to the Field agen:

Max.
Alas poore Pontius.—

Exeunt.

Scæn. 4.

Enter Chilax at one dore, Lycinius, and Balbus at another.
Lyc.
How now?

Chi.
Shee's come,

Bal.
Then Ile to'th Emperor.—
Exit Balbus.

Chi.
Doe; Is the Musick placed well?

Lyc.
Excellent.

Chil.
Lycinius, you and Proclus receive her,
In the great Chamber at her, entrance,
Let me alone; and doe you heare Lycinius,
Pray let the Ladies ply her further off,
And with much more discretion: one word more,

Lyc.
Well;

Chil.
Are the Iewells, and those ropes of Pearle,
Layd in the way she passes?

Lyc.
Take no care man—
Exeunt Lyc.

—Enter Emperor, Balbus and Proclus.
Emp.
What is she come?

Chil.
She is Sir; but t'wer best;
Your Grace were seen last to her,

Emp.
So I mean;
Keep the Court emptie Proculus,

Pro.
Tis done Sir.

Emp.
Be not too sudaine to hir.

Chil.
Good your Grace,
Retire and man your selfe; let us alone,
We are no children this way: doe you heare Sir?
Tis necessary that her waiting women
Be cut off in the Lobby, by some Ladies,
The'd break the businesse else.

Emp.
Tis true, they shall.

Chil.
Remember your place Proculus,

Pro.
I warrant ye.—

Exeunt Emperor, Balbus and Pro.
Enter Lucina, Claudia, and Marcellina.
Chi.
She enters: who are waytors there? the Emperor
Calls for his Horse to ayre himselfe.

Luci.
I am glad,
I come so happily to take him absent,
This takes away a little feare; I know him,
Now I begin to feare agen: Oh honour,
If ever thou hadst temple in weak woman.
And sacrifice of modesty burnt to thee,
Hold me fast now, and help me;

Chil.
Noble Madam,
Ye are welcome to the Court, most nobly welcome,
Ye are a stranger Lady,

Luc.
I desire so;

Chil.
A wondrous stranger here,
Nothing so strange:
And therefore need a guide I think.

Luc.
I doe Sir,
And that a good one too.

Chil.
My service Lady.
Shall be your guard in this place; But pray ye tell me,
Are ye resolv'd a Courtier?

Luc.
No I hope Sir;

Clau.
You are Sir.

Chil.
Yes my faire one,

Clau.
So it seemes,
You are so ready to bestow your selfe,
Pray what might cost those Breeches?

Chil.
Would you weare 'em,
Madam ye have a witty woman.

Mar.
Two Sir,
Or else yee underbuy us.

Luc.
Leave your talking:
But is my Lord here, I beseech ye Sir?

Chil.
He is sweet Lady, and must take this kindly,
Exceeding kindly of ye, wondrous kindly
Ye come so farre to visit him: Ile guide ye,

Luc.
Whether?

Chil.
Why to your Lord,

Luc.
Is it so hard Sir,
To find him in this place without a Guide?
For I would willingly not trouble you.

Chil.
It will be so for you that are a stranger;
Nor can it be a trouble to doe service
To such a worthy beauty, and besides—

Mar.
I see he will goe with us.

Clau.
Let him amble.

Chil.
It fits not that a Lady of your reckoning,
Should passe without attendants.

Luc.
I have two Sir.

Chil.
I mean without a man; You'l see the Emperor?

Luc.
Alas I am not fit Sir,

Chil.
You are well enough.
Hee'l take it wondrous kindly: Harke,

Luc.
ye flatter,
Good Sir, no more of that.

Chil.
Well, I but tell ye;

Luc.
Will ye goe forward, since I must be mand,
Pray take your place.

Claud.
Cannot ye man us too Sir?

Chil.
Give me but time.

Mar.
And you'l try all things:

Chil.
No?
Hmake ye no such promise,

Claud.
If ye doe Sir;
Take heed ye stand to't.

Chil.
Wondrous merry Ladies.

—Enter Lycinius, and Proculus, Balbus.
Luc.
The wenches are dispos'd, pray keep your way Sir.

Exit
Lyc.
She is comming up the staires; Now the Musick;
And as that stirs her, let's set on: perfumes there.

Pro.
Discover all the Iewells:

Lyc.
Peace,

Musicke.
SONGS.

SECOND.

Enter Chilax, Lucina, Claudia, and Marcellina.
Luc.
Pray Heaven my Lord be here, for now I feare it.
Well Ring, if thou bee'st counterfeit, or stolne,
As by this preparation I suspect it,
Thou hast betraid thy Mistris: pray Sir forward,
I would faine see my Lord.

Chil.
But tell me Madam,
How doe ye like the Song?

Luc.
I like the ayre well,
But for the words, they are lascivious,
And over-light for Ladies.

Chil.
All ours love 'em.

Luc.
Tis like enough, for yours are loving Ladies

Lyc.
Madam, ye are welcome to the Court. Who waits?
Attendants for this Lady;

Luc.
Ye mistake Sir;
I bring no triumph with me,

Lyc.
But much honour.

Pro.
Why this was nobly done; and like a neighbour,
So freely of your selfe to be a visitant,
The Emperour shall give ye thanks for this.

Luc.
O no Sir;
Ther's nothing to deserve 'em,

Pro.
Yes, your presence;

Luc.
Good Gentlemen be patient, and believe
I come to see my husband, on command too,
I were no Courtier else.

Lyc.
That's all one Lady,
Now ye are here, y'are welcome, and the Emperor
Who loves ye, but too well:

Luc.
No more of that Sir.
I came not to be Catechizd,

Pro.
Ah Sirah;
And have we got you here, faith Noble Lady,
Wee'l keep you one month Courtier.

Luc.
Gods defend Sir,
I never likd a trade worse,

Pro.
Harke ye:

Luc.
No Sir;

Pro.
Ye are grown the strangest Lady,

Luc.
How?

Pro.
By Heaven,
Tis true I tell ye, and you'l find it.

Luc.
I?
Ile rather find my grave, and so informe him.

Pro.
Is it not pity Gentlemen, this Lady,
(Nay Ile deale roughly with ye, yet not hurt ye)
Should live alone, and give such heavenly beauty,
Only to walls, and hangings?

Luc.
Good Sir, patience:
I am no wonder, neither come to that end,
Ye doe my Lord an injury to stay me,
Who though ye are the Princes, yet dare tell ye
He keeps no wife for your wayes.

Bal.
Well, well Lady;
How ever you are pleasd to think of us,
Ye are welcome, and ye shall be welcome;

Luc.
Shew it
In that I come for then, in leading me
Where my lov'd Lord is, not in flattery:—
Jewells shewd.
Nay ye may draw the Curtain, I have seen 'em
But none worth halfe my honesty.

Claud.
Are these Sir,
Layd here to take?

Pro.
Yes, for your Ladys Gentlewoman;

Mar.
We had been doing else,

Bal.
Meaner Iewels
Would fit your worths;

Claud.
And meaner clothes your bodies.

Luc.
The Gods shall kill me first.

Lyc.
Ther's better dying;
I'th Emperors arms goe too, but be not angry—
These are but talkes sweet Lady,

Enter Phorba, and Ardelia.
Phor.
Where is this stranger? rushes, Ladyes, rushes,
Rushes as greene as Summer for this stranger;

Pro.
Heer's Ladies come to see you.

Luc.
You are gone then?
I take it tis your Que,

Pro.
Or rather manners,
You are better fitted Madam, we but tire ye,
Therefore wee'l leave you for an houre, and bring
Your much lov'd Lord unto you—

Exeunt.
Luc.
Then Ile thanke ye,
I am betraid for certaine; well Lucina,
If thou do'st fall from vertue, may the earth
That after death should shout up gardens of thee,
Spreading thy living goodnesse into branches,
Fly from thee, and the hot Sun find thy vices.

Phor.
You are a welcom woman;

Ard.
Blesse me heaven,
How did you find the way to Court?

Luc.
I know not.
Would I had never trod it.

Phor.
Pre-thee tell me,
Good Noble Lady, and good sweet heart love us,
For we love thee extreamly; is not this place
A Paradice to live in?

Luc.
To those people
That know no other Paradice but pleasure,
That little I enjoy contents me better.

Ard.
What heard ye any Musick yet?

Luc.
Too much.

Phor.
You must not be thus froward; what, this gown
Is one o'th prettiest by my troth Ardelia,
I ever saw yet; t'was not to frowne in Lady,
Ye put this gowne on when ye came.

Ard.
How doe ye?
Alas poore wretch how cold it is!

Luc.
Content ye;
I am as well as may be, and as temperate,
If ye will let me be so: wher's my Lord?
For ther's the businesse that I came for Ladies:

Phor.
Wee'l lead ye to him, hee's i'th Gallery,

Ard.
Wee'l shew ye all the Court too.

Luc.
Shew me him,
And ye have shewd me all I come to look on,

Phor.
Come on, wee'l be your guides, and as ye goe,
We have some pretty tales to tell ye Lady,
Shall make ye merry too; ye come not here,
To be a sad Lucina.

Luc.
Would I might not.—

Exeunt.—
Enter Chilax and Balbus.
Chil.
Now the soft Musick; Balbus run—

Bal.
I flye Boy—
Exit Balbus.

Chil.
The women by this time are worming of her,—
If she can hold out them, the Emperour
Musicke.
Takes her to taske: he h'as her; hark the Musick:

Luc.
Good your Grace,
Where are my women Sir?

Emp.
They are wise, beholding
What you thinke scorne to looke on, the Courts bravery:
Would you have run away so slily Lady,
And not have seen me?

Luc.
I beseech your Majestie,
Consider what I am, and whose,

Emp.
I doe so;

Luc.
Believe me, I shall never make a Whore Sir,

Emp.
A friend ye may, and to that man that loves ye,
More then you love your vertue.

Luc.
Sacred Cesar,

Emp.
You shall not kneel to me Sweet,

Luc.
Look upon me,
And if ye be so cruell to abuse me,
Think how the Gods will take it; do's this beauty
Aflict your soule? Ile hide it from you ever,
Nay more, I will become so leprous,
That ye shall curse me from ye: My deer Lord,
H'as serv'd ye ever truly, fought your Battailes,
As if he daily longd to dye for Cesar,
Was never Traytor Sir; nor never tainted
In all the actions of his life.

Emp.
I know it.

Luc.
His fame and family have growne together,
And spred together like to sayling Cedars,
Over the Roman Diadem; ô let not,
As ye have any flesh that's humane in you,
The having of a modest wife decline him,
Let not my vertue be the wedge to break him,
I doe not think ye are lascivious,
These wanton men belye ye, you are Cesar,
Which is the Father of the Empires honour,
Ye are too neere the nature of the Gods,
To wrong the weakest of all creatures: Women.

Emp.
I dare not do it here, rise faire Lucina,
I did but try your temper, ye are honest,
And with the commendations waite on that
Ile lead ye to your Lord, and ye to him:
Wipe your faire eyes: he that endeavours ill,
May well delay, but never quench his hell.—

Exeunt.