University of Virginia Library

Actus Tertius.

Scæna Prima.

Enter a Priest of Venus and a Boye.
Pr.
Find him by any meanes; and good child tell him
He has forgot his old friend, give him this,
And say this night without excuse or busines
As ever he may find a friend, come to me,
He knowes the way and how, begon.

Boy.
I gallop.
Exit Boy.

Clean.
I have bin looking you;

Pr.
The faire Cleanthe,
VVhat may your busines be?

Clean.
O holy Mother
Such busines of such strange waite, now or never.
As ye have loved me, as ye doe or may doe,
When I shall find a fit time.

Pr.
If by my meanes
Your busines may be fitted; ye know me,
And how I am tyed unto you; be bold daughter
To build your best hopes,

Clean.
O but 'tis a strange one
Stuck with as many dangers—

Pr.
Ther's the working,
Small things performe themselves and give no pleasures;
Be confident through death ile serve.

Clean.
Here.

Pr.
Fye no corruption

Clean.
Take it; 'tis yours,
Be not so spiced, 'tis good gold
And goodnes is no gall to'th conscience,
I know you have wayes to vent it: ye may hold it

Pr.
Ile keep it for ye; when?

Clean.
To morrow morning
Ile visit ye agen; and when occasion
Offers it selfe—

Pr.
Instruct me, and have at ye—

Clean.
Farewell till then; be sure.

Pr.
As your owne thoughts, Ladie.

Clean.
'Tis a maine worke and full of feare.

Pr.
Fooles only
(Exit Cle.
Make their effects seeme fearefull: farewell daughter.
This gold was well got for my old tuff Souldier
Now I shall be his sweet agen; what busines
Is this she has a foote? some lustie lover
Beyond her line, the young wench would faine piddle
A little to revive her, must be thought of,
'Tis even so; she must have it; but how by my meanes
A devill can she drive it? I that wait still
Before the Goddesse giving Oracle
How can I profit her? 'tis her owne project,
And if she cast it false her owne fault be it.
Exit. Priest.

Enter Polidor Eumenes Captains, Stremon.
Pol.
Why this is utter madnes

Eumen.
Thus it is Sir

Pol.
Only the Princesse sight?

1. Cap.
All we can judge at;

Poli.
This must be loo'kt to timelie.

Eumen.
Yes and wiselie;

Pol.
He do's not offer at his life

Eumen.
not yet sir
That we can heare of

Pol.
Noble Gentlemen;
Let me entreat your watches over him,
Ye cannot doe a worthier worke.

2. Cap.
We came Sir
Provided for that service?

Pol.
Where is Chilax?

Strem.
A little busie Sir?

Pol.
Is the foole and boye here.

Strem.
They are Sir,

Enter Memnon.
Pol.
Let 'em be still so; and as they find his humors

Eumen.
Now ye may behold him

Pol.
Stand close and worke no noyse;
By his eyes now Gentlemen,
I guesse him full of anger

Eumen.
Be not seene there

Mem.
The houre's past long agoe, hees false and fearefull,
Coward goe with thy catine soule, thou our dog.
Thou cold clod, wilde fire warme thee, monstrous fearful,
I know the slave shakes but to thinke on't.

Pol.
VVhose that?

Eumen.
I know not Sir.

Mem.
But I shall catch yee rascall,
Your mangie soule is not immortall here, Sir,
Ye must die, and we must meet; we must, maggot,
Be sure we must, for not a nooke of hell,
Not the most horrid pit shall harbour thee.
The Devills taile shall hide thee, but ile have thee,
And how ile use thee, whips and firebrands
Tosting thy taile against a flame of wilde fire,
And basting it with brimstone, shall be nothing,
Nothing at all; ile teach ye to be treacherous;
Was never slave so living'd since hell was hell
As I will swinge thy slaves soule and be sure on't.

Pol.
Is this imagination, or some circumstance
For 'tis extreame strange.

Eumen.
So is all he does Sir

Mem.
Till then ile leave ye? whose there? wheres the Surgeon.

Demagoras.
Enter Surgion.
Dem.
My Lord.

Mem.
Bring the Surgeon.
And waite you too.

Enter Surgeons
Poli.
What wood ye with a Surgeon

Eume.
Things mustring in his head: pray marke

Mem.
Come hither.
Have you brought your Instruments.

Sur.
They are within Sir,

Mem.
Put to the doores a while there; ye can incise
To a haires bredth without defacing;

Sur.
Yes sir.

Mem.
And take out fairely from the flesh;

Sur.
The least thing.

Mem.
Well, come hither then; take off my doublet,
For looke ye Surgeon, I must have ye cut
My Heart out here, and handsomly: Nay, stare not,
Nor doe not start; I'le cut your throat else Surgeon,
Come sweare to doe it.

Surg.
Good sir—

Mem.
Sirra, hold him,
I'le have but one blow at his head.

Sur.
I'le doe it,
Why what should we doe living after you sir?
Wee'le die before if yee please.

Mem.
No, No.

Surg.
Living? hang living,
Is there ne're a Cat hole where I may creep through?
Woo'd I were in the Indies.

Mem.
Sweare then, and after my death presently
To kill your selves and follow, as ye are honest,
At ye have faiths and loves to me.

Dema.
Wee'l doe it.

Eumen.
Pray doe not stir yet, we are neare enough
To run between all dangers.

Mem.
Here I am sir;
Come looke upon me, view the best way boldly,
Feare nothing, but cut home; if your hand shake sirra,
Or any way deface my heart i'th' cutting,
Make the least scratch upon it, but draw it whole,
Excellent faire, shewing at all points, Surgeon,
The honour and the valour of the owner,
Mixt with the most immaculate love I send it,
Looke too't, I'le slice thee to the soule.

Sur.
Ne're feare sir,
I'le doe it daintily; would I were out once.

Mem.
I will not have ye smile sirra when ye do it,
As though ye cut a Ladies corne; tis scurvie;
Doe me it as thou dost thy praiers, seriously.

Sur.
I'le doe it in a dump sir.

Mem.
In a dog sir,
I'le have no dumps, nor dumplins: fetch your tooles,
And then I'le tell ye more.

Sur.
If I returne
To heare more I'le be hang'd for't.

Mem.
Quick, quick.

Dema.
Yes sir,
With all the heeles we have,

Exeunt Surgeon. Demagoras.
Eumen.
Yet stand.

Poli.
Hee'le doe it.

Eumen.
He cannot and we here.

Mem.
Why when ye rascalls,
Ye dull slaves: will ye come sir? Surgeon, Serring,
Dogleach, shall I come fetch ye?

Poli.
Now i'le to him,
God save ye honour'd brother

Mem.
My deare Polidor,
Welcome from travell welcome; and how doe ye?

Pol.
Well sir, would you were so.

Mem.
I am, I thanke ye,
You are a better'd man much, I the same still,
An old rude Souldier, sir.

Pol.
Pray be plaine brother,
And tell me but the meaning of this vision,
For to me it appeares no more: so farre
From common course and reason.

Mem.
Thanke thee Fortune,
At length I have found the man: the man must do it,
The man in honour bound.

Pol.
To doe what?

Mem.
Harke, for I will blesse ye with the circumstance
Of that weak shaddow that appear'd.

Pol.
Speake on sir.

Walkes with him.
Mem.
It is no storie for all eares.

Pol.
The Princesse?

Mem.
Peace and heare all: how:

Eumen.
Sure 'tis dangerous
He starts so at it,

Pol.
Your heart, doe ye know sir?

Mem.
Yes, pray thee be softer.

Pol.
Me to doe it?

Mem.
Only Reserv'd, and, dedicated.

Pol.
For shame brother
Know, what ye are, a man.

Mem.
None of your Athens
Good sweet sir, no Philosophy, thou feel'st not
The honourable end, foole.

Pol.
I am sure I feele
The shame & scorn that follows; have ye serv'd thus long
The glory of your Country, in your Conquests,
The envy of your neighbours, in your vertues,
Rul'd Armies of your owne, given Lawes to Nations,
Belov'd and fear'd as far as Fame has travel'd,
Call'd the most fortunate and happy Memnon,
To loose all here at home, poorely to loose it,
Poorely and pettishly, ridiculously
To fling away your fortune? where's your wisdome?
Where's that you govern'd others by, discretion?
Do's your Rule lastly hold upon your selfe? fie brother,
How are ye falne? get up into your honour
The top branch of your bravery, and from thence
Looke and lament how little Memnon seemes now.

Mem.
Hum! tis well spoken; but do'st thou think, young scholler
The tongues of Angels from my happinesse
Could turne the end I aime at? no: they cannot;
This is no booke case brother: will ye doe it?
Use no more art, I am resolv'd.

Pol.
Ye may, sir
Command me to doe any thing that's honest,
And for your noble end: but this it carries.

Mem.
Ye shall not be so honour'd; live an Asse still,
And learne to spell for profit: goe, goe studie.

Eumen.
Ye must not hold him up so, he is lost then.

Mem.
Get thee to schoole agen, and talke of turnips,
And find the naturall cause out, why a dog
Turnes thrice about e're he ly downe: there's learning.

Pol.
Come, I will doe it now; 'tis brave, I find it,
And now allow the reason.

Mem.
O doe ye so sir,
Doe ye find it currant?

Pol.
Yes, yes, excellent.

Mem.
I told ye.

Pol.
I was foolish: I have here too
The rarest way to find the truth out; hark ye,
Ye shall be rul'd by me.

Mem.
I will be: but—

Po.
I reach it,
If the worst fall, have at the worst: wee'le both goe
But two dayes, and 'tis thus; ha?

Mem.
'Twill doe well so

Pol.
Then if not excellent, doe ye conceive it

Mem.
'Twill worke for certaine

A bowle ready.
Pol.
O 'twill tickle her
And you shall know then by a line

Mem.
I like it
But let me not be fool'd againe

Pol.
Doubt nothing
You doe me wrong then, get ye in there privat
As I have taught ye; Basta

Mem.
Worke
(Exit Memnon.)

Pol.
I will doe

Eumen.
Have ye found the cause

Pol.
Yes, and the straingest, Gentlemen,
That ere I heard of, anon ile tell ye; Stremon
Be you still neere him to affect his fancie
And keepe his thoughts off: Let the Foole and Boy
Stay him, they may doe some pleasure too; Eumenes
VVhat if he had a wench, an handsome whore brought
Rarely drest up, and taught to state it?

Eumen.
VVell Sir

Pol.
His cause is meerly heat: and made beleeve
It were the Princesse mad for him,

Eumen.
I thinke
'Twere not amisse.

1 Cap.
And let him kisse her

Pol.
VVhat els?

2 Cap.
Ile be his bawde ant please you, young and holesome
I can assure ye he shall have

Eumen.
Faith let him

Pol.
A shall, I hope 'twill helpe him, walke a little
Ile tell you how his case stands, and my project
In which you must be mourners, but by all meanes
Stir not you from him: Stremon.

Strem.
On our Lives Sir

Exeunt.
Enter Priest and Chilax.
Priest.
O y'ar a pretious Man; two daies in towne
And neuer see your old friend?

Chi.
Prithe pardon me

Pr.
And in my conscience if I had not sent

Chi.
No more I would a come; I must

Pr.
I find ye
God a mercy want ye never care for me
But when your slops are emptie

Chi.
Nere feare that wench
Shall find good currant coyne still; is this the old house?

Pr.
Have ye forgot it?

Chi.
And the dore still standing
That goes into the Temple?

Pr.
Still.

Chi.
The Robes to,
That I was wount to shift in here?

Pr.
All here still.

Chi.
O ye tuff rogue what troubles have I trotted through?
VVhat feares and frights, every poore mouse a monster
That I heard stir, and every stick I trod on
A sharp sting to my conscience

Pr.
Las poore conscience,

Chi.
And all to liquor thy old bootes wench

Pr.
Out beast!

Chi.
To new carine thy carkas, that's the truth on't
How does thy keele? does it need nayling? a tother
VVhen all thy linnen's up: and a more yare?

Pr.
Fye Fye Sir

Chi.
Nere stem'd the straights?

Pr.
How you talke?

Chi.
I am old wench,
And talking to an old Man is like a stomacher
It keepes his blood warme

Pr.
But; pray tell me

Chi.
Any thing

Pr.
Where did the boy meet with ye, at a wench sure
At one end of a wench, a Cup of wine sure

Chi.
Thou know'st I am too honest

Priest.
That's your fault
And that the Surgeon knowes

Chi.
Then farewell
I will not faile ye soone

Priest.
Ye shall staye Supper
I have sworne ye shall, by this ye shall

Chi.
I will wench,
But after Supper for an houre, my busines

Pr.
And but an houre

Chi.
No by this kisse, that ended
I will returne and all night in thine Armes wench

Pr.
No more, ile take your meaning; comes 'tis Supper time

Exeunt.
Enter Calis, Cleanthe, Lucippe.
Calis.
Thou art not well

Clean.
Your grace sees more a great deale
Then I feele (yet I lye) o brother I

Cal.
Marke her,
Is not the quicknes of her ey consumed, wench?
The livelye red and white?

Lucip.
Nay she is much alter'd
That on my understanding, all her sleep's Ladie
Which were as sound and sweet

Cle.
Pray doe not force me
Good Madam where I am not, to be ill,
Conceit's a double sicknes; on my faith your highnes
Is meere mistaken in me

A Dead March within of Druns and Sagbutts
Cal.
I am glad on't
Yet this I have ever noted when thou wast thus
It still forerun some strange event: my Sister
Died when thou wast thus last: harke harke ho,
What mournefull noyse is this comes creeping forward,
Still it growes neerer, neerer, do ye heare it?

Enter Polidor and Captaines. Eumenes mourning.
Lucip.
It seemes some Souldiers funerall: see it enters

Cal.
What may it meane?

Pol.
The Gods keep ye faire Calis

Cal.
This man can speake, and well; a stands and views us
Woo'd I were nere worse look't upon: how humbly
His eyes are cast now to the earth: pray marke him
And marke how rarely he has ranckt his troubles:
See now a weepes, they all weep; a sweeter sorrow
I never look't upon, nor one that braver
Became his griefe; your will with all.

Pol.
Great Ladie
Plucks out the Cup.
Excellent beauty

Cal.
He speakes handsomelie
What a rare rhetorician his greif plaies,
That stop was admirable

Pol.
See see thou Princesse
Thou great commander of all hearts

Cal.
I have found it,
Oh how my soule shakes:

Pol.
See, see the noble hart
Of him that was the noblest: see and glory
Like the proud God himselfe in what thou hast purchas'd
Behold the heart of Memnon: does it start ye?

Cal.
Good gods, what has his wildenes done?

Pol.
Looke boldlie
You boldlie sed you durst looke wretched woman,
Nay flie not back faire follie, 'tis too late now
Vertue and blooming honour bleed to death here,
Take it the Legacie of Love bequeath'd ye,
Of cruell Love, a cruell Legacie;
What was the will that wrought it? then can ye weepe?
Imbalme it in your truest teares?
If Women can weepe a truth, or ever sorrow sunck yet
Into the soule of your sex, for 'tis a Jewell
The VVorlds worth cannot weigh downe,
Take it Ladie; And with it all (I dare not curse) my sorrowes
And may they turne to Serpents.

Eumen.
How she lookes
Still upon him: see now a teare steales from her

2. Cap.
But still she keepes her ey firme

Pol.
Next read this,
But since I see your spirit somewhat troubled
Ile doe it for ye

2. Capt.
Still she eyes him mainlie

Eumen.
Now it poures downe

Pol.
I like it rarelie Ladie

Eumen.
How greedily she swallowes up his language?

2. Cap.
Her eye inhabits on him

Pol.
Cruell Ladie,
Great as your beautie scornefull; had your power
But equall poise on all hearts; all hearts perish't;
But Cupid has more shafts then one, more flames too
And now he must be open ey'd, 'tis Justice:
Live to injoye your longing; live and laugh at
The losses and the miseries we suffer;
Live to be spoken when your crueltie
Has cut of all the vertue from this Kingdome
Turned honour into earth, and faithfull service

Cal.
I sweare his angers excellent

Pol.
Truth and most tried love
Into disdaine and downefall,

Calis.
Still more pleasing,

Pol.
Live then I say famous for civill slaughters,
Live and lay out your triumphs, guild your glories
Live and be spoken this is she this Ladie,
This goodly Ladie, yet most killing beautie;
This with the two edg'd eyes, the heart for hardnes
Out doing rockes; and coldnes, rockes of Christall
This with the swelling soule, more coye of Courtship
Then the proud sea is when the shores embrace him
Live till the mothers find ye; read your story
And sowe their barren curses on your beauty,
Till those that have enjoy'd their loves despise ye,
Till Virgins pray against ye, old age find ye
And even as wasted coales glow in their dying
So may the Gods reward ye in your ashes:
But y'ar the Sister of my King; more prophesies
Els I should utter of ye true loves and loyall
Blesse themselves ever from ye: so I leave ye

Calis.
Prithee be angry still young man: good faire Sir
Chide me againe, what wood this man doe pleas'd,
That in his passions can bewitch soules stay,

Eumen.
Upon my life she loves him

Calis.
Pray stay

Po.
No

Cal.
I doe command ye

Po.
No, ye cannot Ladie
I have a spell against yee, Faith and Reason,
Yee are to weak to reach me: I have a heart too,
But not for hawkes meat, Ladie

Cal.
Even for Charity
Leave me not thus aflicted: you can teach me

Po.
How can you Preach that Charitie to others
That in your owne soule are an Athiest
Beleeving neither power nor feare: I trouble ye,
The Gods be good unto ye.

Cal.
Amen.

Lucip.
Ladie,

She Swounes
Cle.
O royall Madam, Gentlemen for heav'n sake,

They come back.
Po.
Give her fresh air she comes again: away sirs
And here stand close till we perceive the working

Eumen.
Ye have undone all

Pol.
So I feare

2. Cap.
She loves ye

Eumen.
And then all hopes lost this way

Pol.
Peace she rises

Clean.
Now for my purpose Fortune

Calis.
Wher's the Gentleman

Lucip.
Gone Madam

Cal.
Why gone?

Lucip.
Has dispatch't his busines

Cal.
A came to speake with me
A did.

Clean.
A did not

Cal.
For I had many questions

Lucip.
On my Faith Madam, he
Talk't a great while to ye

Cal.
Thou conceiv'st not.
He talk't not as he should doo; o my heart
Away with that sad sight; didst thou ere love me?

Lucip.
Why doe you make that question?

Cal.
If thou didst
Run, run wench, run: nay see how thou stir'st

Lucip.
Whither?

Cal.
If 'twer for any thing to please thy selfe
Thou wood'st run to'th devill: but I am growne

Clean.
Fie Ladie

Cal.
I aske none of your fortunes, nor your loves
None of your bent desires I slack, ye are not
In love with all men, are ye? one for shame
You will leave your honour'd mistris? why doe ye stare so
What is that ye see about mee, tell me;
Lord what am I become? I am not wilde sure,
Heaven keepe that from me: o Cleanthe help me
Or I am suncke to death

Cle.
Ye have offended and mightily, love is incenst against yee
And therefore take my Councell, to the Temple
For that's the speediest physick: before the Goddesse
Give your repentant prayers: aske her will
And from the Oracle attend your sentence
She is milde and mercifull

Calis.
I will: o Venus
Even as thou lov'st thy selfe!

Clean.
Now for my fortune

Exeunt Calis and Women.
Pol.
What shall I doe?

1. Cap.
VVhy make your selfe

Po.
I dare not,
No Gentlemen, I dare not be a villaine
Though her bright beauty would entice an Angell
I will to'th King my last hope: get him a Woman
As we before concluded: and as ye passe
Give out the Spartans are in armes; and terrible
And let some letters to that end be fain'd too
And sent to you, some Poets too, to the Generall
And let me worke: be nere him still,

Eumen.
We will Sir

Pol.
Farwell: and pray for all: what 'ere I will ye
Doe it, and hope a faire end

Eumen.
The Gods speed ye.

Exeunt.
Enter Stremon Foole, Boy, and Servants.
Servant.
He lies quiet

Strem.
Let him lye and as I told ye
Make ready for this shew: h'as divers times
Been calling upon Orpheus to appeare
And shew the joyes: now I wilbe that Orpheus,
And as I play and sing like beasts and trees
I woo'd have you shapt and enter: thou a Dog, foole,
I have sent about your sutes: the Boy a bush,
An Asse you, you a Lion

Foole.
I a dog?
Ile fit you for a Dog. Bow wow

Strem.
'Tis excellent
Steale in and make no noise

Foole.
Bow wow

Strem.
Away rogue.

Exeunt.
Enter Priest and Chilax.
Priest.
Good sweet friend be not long

Chi.
Thou think'st each houre ten
Till I be ferreting

Pr.
You know I love ye

Chi.
I will not be above an houre; let thy robe be readie
And the doore be kept

Knock. Cleanthe knocks within.
Pr.
Who knocks there?
Yet more busines?

Enter Cleanthe.
Chi.
Have ye more pensioners, the Princesse woman?
Nay then ile stay a little, what games a foote now?

Clean.
Now is the time

Chi.
A rancke bawde by this hand, too
She grinds a both sides: hey boyes

Priest.
How, your brother Siphax?
Loves he the Princesse?

Cle.
Deadlie, and you know
He is a Gentleman descended noblie.

Chi.
But a ranck knave as ever pist

Cle.
Bold Mother
Heres more gold and some jewells

Chi.
Heres no villany
I am glad I came to'th hearing

Pr.
Alas Daughter,
What would ye have me doe?

Chi.
Hold off ye old whore;
Ther's more gold comming; alls mine, all

Cle.
Doe ye shrink now,
Did ye not promise faithfully and told me
Through any danger?

Pr.
Any I can wade through

Cle.
Ye shall, and easilie the sin not seene neither
Heres for a better stole and a new vaile mother
Come ye shall be my friend: if all hit

Chi.
Hang me
Ile make ye richer then the Goddesse.

Pr.
Say then
I am yours, what must I doe?

Cle.
I'th morning
But very early, will the Princesse visit
The Temple of the Goddesse, being troubled
With strange things that distract her: from the Oracle
(Being strongly too in love) she will demand
The Goddesse pleasure, and a Man to cure her,
That Oracle you give: describe my Brother
You know him perfectly.

Pr.
I have seene him often

Cle.
And charge her take the next man she shall meet with
When she comes out; you understand me

Pr.
VVell.

Cle.
Which shalbe he attending; this is all
And easily without suspition ended,
Nor none dare disobey, 'tis Heaven that does it,
And who dares crosse it then, or once suspect it?
The venture is most easie.

Pr.
I will doe it.

Clean.
As ye shall prosper;

Pr.
As I shall prosper.

Cle.
Take this too, and farewell; but first harke hither.

Chi.
What a young whores this to betray her mistris?
A thousand Cuckolds shall that husband be,
That marries thee, thou art so mischievous.
Ile put a spoke among your wheeles

Clean.
Be constant

Pr.
'Tis done

Chi.
Ile doe no more at drop shot then
Exit Chilax.

Pr.
Farewell wench.

Exeunt Priest and Cleanthe