 | The Loyal Svbiect |  |
Actus Quartus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Olimpia with a Casket, and Alinda.Al.
Madam, the Duke has sent for the two Ladies.
Olim.
I prethee go: I know thy thoughts are with him.
Go, go Alinda, do not mock me more.
I have found thy heart wench, doe not wrong thy Mistris,
Thy too much loving Mistris: doe not abuse her.
Al.
By your owne faire hands I understand ye not.
Ol.
By thy own faire eyes I understand thee too much,
Too farre, and built a faith there thou hast ruine.
Goe, and enjoy thy wish, thy youth, thy pleasure,
Enjoy the greatnesse no doubt he has promised,
Enjoy the service of all eyes that see thee,
The glory thou hast aim'd at, and the triumph:
Onely this last love I aske, forget thy Mistris.
Al.
Oh, who has wrong'd me? who has ruin'd me?
Poore wretched Girle, what poyson is flung on thee?
Excellent vertue, from whence flowes this anger?
Ol.
Go, ask my Brother, ask the faith thou gav'st me,
Aske all my favours to thee, aske my love,
Last, thy forgetfulnesse of good: then flye me,
For we must part Alinda.
Al.
You are wearie of me;
I must confesse, I was never worth your service,
Your bounteous favours lesse; but that my duty,
My ready will, and all I had to serve ye—
O heaven thou know'st my honestie.
Ol.
No more:
Take heed, heaven has a justice: take this ring with yee,
This doting spell you gave mee: too well Alinda,
Thou knew'st the vertue in't; too well I feele it:
Nay keep that too, it may sometimes remember ye,
When you are willing to forget who gave it,
And to what vertuous end.
Al.
Must I goe from yee?
Of all the sorrowes sorrow has—must I part with yee?
Part with my noble Mistris?
Ol.
Or I with thee wench.
Al.
And part stain'd with opinion? Farewell Lady,
Happy and blessed Lady, goodnesse keep yee:
Thus your poore servant full of griefe turnes from yee,
For ever full of griefe, for ever from yee.
I have no being now, no friends, no Countrey,
I wander heaven knowes whither, heaven knows how.
No life, now you are lost: onely mine innocence,
That little left me of my selfe, goes with me,
That's all my bread and comfort. I confesse Madam,
Truely confesse, the Duke has often courted me.
Ol.
And powr'd his soule into thee, won thee.
Al.
Doe you think so?
Well, time that told this tale, will tell my truth too,
And say ye had a faithfull, honest servant:
The businesse of my life is now to pray for ye,
Pray for your vertuous loves; Pray for your children,
When heaven shall make ye happy.
Ol.
How she wounds me?
Either I am undone, or she must go: take these with yee,
Some toyes may doe ye service; and this money;
And when ye want, I love ye not so poorely,
Not yet Alinda, that I would see ye perish.
Prethee be good, and let me heare: look on me,
I love those eyes yet dearely; I have kiss'd thee,
And now Ile doe't againe: farewell Alinda,
I am too full to speak more, and too wretched.
Exit.
Al.
You have my faith,
And all the world my fortune.
Exit.
Scene 2.
Enter Theodore.The.
I would faine heare
What becomes of these two Wenches:
And if I can, I will doe 'em good.
Enter Gentleman passing over the Stage.
Doe you heare my honest friend?
He knowes no such name:
What a world of businesse,
Which by interpretation are meere nothings,
These things have here? 'Masse now I think on't better,
I wish he be not sent for one of them
To some of these by-lodgings: me thought I saw
A kinde of reference in his face to Bawderie.
Enter Gent. with a Gentlewom. passing over the Stage.
He has her, but 'tis none of them: hold fast theefe:
An excellent touzing knave. Mistris
You are to suffer your penance some half hour hence now
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Will prevaile with one of these waiting gentlewomen,
They are taken with these soluble things exceedingly;
This is some yeoman oth'bottles now that has sent for hir,
That she calls father: now woe to this Ale incence.
By your leave sir.
Enter a Servant.
Ser.
Well sir; what's your pleasure with me?
The.
You do not know the way to the maids lodgings?
Ser.
Yes indeed doe I sir.
The.
But you will not tell me?
Ser.
No indeed will not I, because you doubt it.
Exit.
Enter 2. Servant.
Th.
These are fine gim-cracks: hey, here comes another,
A Flaggon full of wine in's hand, I take it.
Well met my friend, is that wine?
2 Ser.
Yes indeed is it.
The.
Faith Ile drink on't then.
2 Ser.
Ye may, because ye have sworne sir.
The.
'Tis very good, Ile drinke a great deale now sir.
2 Ser.
I cannot helpe it sir.
The.
Ile drinke more yet.
2 Ser.
'Tis in your owne hands.
The.
There's your pot, I thank ye.
Pray let me drinke againe.
2 Ser.
Faith but ye shall not.
Now have I sworn I take it. Fare ye well sir.
Exit.
Th.
This is the fin'st place to live in I e're enterd.
Here comes a gentlewoman, & alone; Ile to her.
Enter Lady.
Madam, My Lord my Master.
Lady.
Who's your Lord sir?
The.
The Lord Boroskie, Lady.
Lady.
Pray excuse me:
Here's something for your paines: within this houre sir,
One of the choise young Ladies shall attend him:
Pray let it be in that Chamber juts out to the water;
'Tis private and convenient: doe my humble service
To my honourable good Lord, I beseech ye sir;
If it please you to visit a poore Lady—
You carrie the 'haviour of a noble Gentleman,
The.
I shall be bold.
Lady.
'Tis a good aptnesse in ye.
I lye here in the Wood-yard, the blew lodgings sir;
They call me merily the Lady of the—Sir;
A little I know what belongs to a gentleman,
And if it please you take the paines.
Exit.
The.
Deare Lady, take the paines?
Why a horse would not take the pains that thou requir'st now,
To cleave old crab-tree? one of the choise yong Ladies:
I would I had let this Bawd goe, she has frighted me;
I am cruelly afraid of one of my Tribe now;
But if they will doe, the devill cannot stop 'em.
Why should he have a young Lady? are women now
Oth' nature of Bottles, to be stopt with Corks?
O the thousand little furies that flye here now?
How now Captaine?
Enter Putskie.
Puts.
I come to seek you out sir,
And all the Town I have travell'd.
The.
What's the newes man?
Puts.
That that concernes us all, and very neerely:
The Duke this night holds a great feast at Court,
To which he bids for guests all his old Counsellors,
And all his favourites: your Father's sent for.
The.
Why he is neither in conncell, nor in favour.
Pu.
Thats it: have an eye now, or never, & a quick one,
An eye that must not wink from good intelligence.
I heard a Bird sing; they mean him no good office.
The.
Art sure he sups here?
Enter Ancient.
Puts.
Sure as 'tis day.
The.
'Tis like then:
How now, where hast thou been Ancient?
Anc.
Measuring the City:
I have left my Brooms at gate here;
By this time the Porter has stole 'em to sweep out rascals.
Theod.
Brooms?
An.
I have been crying Brooms all the towne over,
And such a Mart I have made, there's no trade neare it.
O the young handsome wenches, how they twitter'd,
When they but saw me shake my ware, and sing too;
Come hither Master Broom-man I beseech ye:
Good Master Broom-man hither cries another.
The.
Thou art a mad fellow.
An.
They are all as mad as I: they all have trades now,
And roare about the streets like Bull-beggers.
The.
What company of souldiers are they?
Anc.
By this meanes I have gather'd
Above a thousand tall and hardy souldiers,
If need be Colonell.
The.
That need's come Ancient,
And 'twas discreetly done: goe, draw 'em presently,
But without suspition: this night we shall need 'em;
Let 'em be neare the Court, let Putskie guide 'em;
And wait me for occasion: here Ile stay still.
Puts.
If it fall out we are ready; if not we are scatter'd:
Ile wait ye at an inch.
The.
Doe, farewell.
Exeunt.
Scene 3.
Enter Duke, Boroskie.Duke.
Are the Souldiers still so mutinous?
Bor.
More then ever,
No Law nor Justice frights 'em: all the Towne over
They play new pranks and gambols: no mans person,
Of what degree soever, free from abuses:
And durst they doe this, (let your grace consider)
These monstrous, most offensive things, these villanies,
If not set on, and fed? if not by one
They honour more then you? and more aw'd by him?
Du.
Happily their owne wants.
Boros.
I offer to supply 'em,
And every houre make tender of their moneyes:
They scorne it, laugh at me that offer it:
I feare the next device will be my life sir;
And willingly Ile give it, so they stay there.
Duke.
Doe you think Lord Archas privie?
Bor.
More then thought,
I know it Sir, I know they durst not doe
These violent rude things, abuse the State thus,
But that they have a hope by his ambitions—
Du.
No more: he's sent for?
Boros.
Yes, and will be here sure.
Du.
Let me talke further with you anon.
Bor.
Ile wait sir.
Du.
Did you speak to the Ladies?
Bor.
They'll attend your grace presently.
Du.
How doe you like 'em?
Bor.
My eyes are too dull Judges.
They wait here sir.
Exit.
Du.
Be you gone then: Come in Ladies:
Enter Honora and Viola.
Welcom to th'court sweet beauties; now the court shines,
When such true beames of beauty strike amongst us:
Welcome, welcome, even as your owne joyes welcome.
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Is't not a place created for all sweetnesse?
Why were you made such strangers to this happinesse?
Barr'd the delights this holds? the richest jewels
Set ne're so well, if then not worne to wonder,
By judging eyes not set off, lose their lustre:
Your Countrey shades are faint; blasters of beauty;
The manners like the place, obscure and heavie;
The Rose buds of your beauties turne to cankers,
Eaten with inward thoughts: whilst there ye wander.
Here Ladies, here, you were not made for Cloisters,
Here is the Sphere you move in: here shine nobly,
And by your powerfull influence command all:
What a sweet modestie dwells round about 'em,
And like a nipping morne pulls in their blossoms?
Hon.
Your grace speaks cunningly, you doe not this,
I hope sir, to betray us, wee are poore triumphs;
Nor can our losse of honour adde to you sir:
Great men, and great thoughts, seek things great & worthy,
Subjects to make 'em live, and not to lose 'em;
Conquests so nobly won, can never perish;
We are two simple maids, untutor'd here sir;
Two honest maids, is that a sin at Court sir?
Our breeding is obedience, but to good things,
To vertuous and to faire: what wou'd you win on us?
Why doe I aske that question, when I have found yee?
Your Preamble has pow'rd your heart out to us;
You would dishonour us; which in your translation
Here at the Court reads thus, your grace would love us,
Most dearely love us: sticke us up for mistresses:
Most cerraine, there are thousands of our Sex sir
That would be glad of this, and handsome women,
And crowd into this favour, faire young women,
Excellent beauties sir: when ye have enjoyd 'em,
And suckt those sweets they have, what Saints are these then?
What worship have they won? what name you ghesse sir,
What storie added to their time, a sweet one?
Du.
A brave spirited wench.
Hon.
Ile tell your grace,
And tell yee true: ye are deceiv'd in us two,
Extreamly cozend sir: And yet in my eye
You are the handsomst man I ever lookt on,
The goodliest gentleman; take that hope with yee;
And were I fit to be your wife (so much I honour yee)
Trust me I would scratch for ye but I would have yee.
I would wooe you then.
Du.
She amazes me:
But how am I deceiv'd?
Hon.
O we are too honest,
Believe it sir, too honest, far too honest,
The way that you propound too ignorant,
And there is no medling with us; for we are fooles too,
Obstinate, peevish fooles: if I would be ill,
And had a wantons itch, to kick my heeles up,
I would not leap intoth' Sun, and doe't there,
That all the world might see me: an obscure shade sir,
Darke as the deed, there is no trusting light with it,
Nor thats that lighter far, vain-glorious greatnesse.
Du.
You will love me as your friend?
Ho.
I will honour yee,
As your poore humble handmaid serve, and pray for ye.
Du.
What sayes my little one; you are not so obstinate?
Lord how she blushes: here are truely faire soules:
Come you will be my love?
Viol.
Good sir be good to me,
Indeed Ile doe the best I can to please yee;
I doe beseech your grace: Alas I feare ye.
Du.
What shouldst thou feare?
Hon.
Fie sir, this is not noble.
Du.
Why doe I stand entreating, where my power—
Ho.
You have no power, at least you ought to have none
In bad and beastly things: arm'd thus, Ile dye here,
Before she suffer wrong.
Du.
Another Archas?
Ho.
His childe sir, and his spirit.
Du.
Ile deale with you then,
For here's the honour to be won: sit down sweet,
Prethee Honora sit.
Ho.
Now ye intreat I will sir.
Du.
I doe, and will deserve it.
Ho.
That's too much kindnesse.
Du.
Prethee look on me.
Ho.
Yes: I love to see yee,
And could look on an age thus, and admire ye:
Whilst ye are good and temperate I dare touch ye,
Kisse your white hand.
Du.
Why not my lips?
Ho.
I dare sir.
Du.
I doe not thinke ye dare.
Ho.
I am no coward.
Doe you believe me now? or now? or now sir?
You make me blush: but sure I mean no ill sir:
It had been fitter you had kiss'd me.
Du.
That Ile doe too.
What hast thou wrought into me?
Ho.
I hope all goodnesse:
Whilst ye are thus, thus honest, I dare doe any thing,
Thus hang about your neck, and thus doat on yee;
Blesse those faire lights: hell take me if I durst not—
But good Sir pardon me. Sister come hither,
Come hither, feare not wench: come hither, blush not,
Come kisse the Prince, the vertuous Prince, the good Prince:
Certaine he is excellent honest.
Du.
Thou wilt make me—
Ho.
Sit downe, and hug him softly.
Du.
Fie Honora,
Wanton Honora; is this the modesty,
The noble chastity your on-set shew'd me,
At first charge beaten back? Away.
Hon.
Thank ye:
Upon my knees I pray, heaven too may thank ye;
Ye have deceiv'd me cunningly, yet nobly
Ye have cozen'd me: In all your hopefull life yet,
A Scene of greater honour, you ne're acted:
I knew Fame was a lyar, too long, and loud tongu'd,
And now I have found it: O my vertuous Master.
Viol.
My vertuous Master too.
Hon.
Now you are thus,
What shall become of me let Fortune cast for't.
Du.
Ile be that fortune, if I live Honora,
Enter Alin.
Thou hast done a cure upon me, counsell could not.
Al.
Here take your ring sir, & whom ye mean to ruine,
Give it to her next; I have paid for't dearely.
Hon.
A Ring to her?
Du.
Why frownes my faire Alinda?
I have forgot both these againe.
Al.
Stand still sir,
Ye have that violent killing fire upon ye,
Consumes all honour, credit, faith.
Hon.
How's this?
Al.
My Royall Mistris favour towards me,
Woe-worth ye sir, ye have poyson'd, blasted.
43
I sweet?
Al.
You have taken that unmanly liberty,
Which in a worse man, is vaine-glorious feigning,
And kild my truth.
Du.
Upon my life 'tis false wench.
Al.
Ladies,
Take heed, ye have a cunning gamster,
A handsome, and a high; come stoar'd with Antidotes,
He has infections else will fire your blouds.
Du.
Prethee Alinda heare me.
Al.
Words steept in honey,
That will so melt into your mindes, buy Chastity,
A thousand wayes, a thousand knots to tie ye;
And when he has bound ye his, a thousand ruines.
A poore lost woman ye have made me.
Du.
Ile maintaine thee,
And nobly too.
Al.
That Gin's too weak to take me:
Take heed, take heed young Ladies: still take heed,
Take heed of promises, take heed of gifts,
Of forced feigned sorrowes, sighes, take heed.
Du.
By all that's mine, Alinda—
Al.
Sweare
By your mischiefes:
O whither shall I goe?
Du.
Goe back againe,
Ile force her take thee, love thee.
Al.
Fare ye well Sir,
I will not curse ye; onely this dwell with ye,
When ever you love, a false beliefe light on ye.
Exit.
Hon.
Wee'll take our leaves too sir.
Duk.
Part all the world now,
Since she is gone.
Hon.
You are crooked yet, deare Master,
And still I feare—
Exeunt.
Duke.
I am vext,
And some shall finde it.
Exit.
Scæne 4.
Enter Archas and a Servant.Ar.
'Tis strange
To me to see the Court, and welcome:
O royall place, how have I lov'd and serv'd thee?
Who lies on this side, know'st thou?
Ser.
The Lord Burris.
Ar.
Thou hast nam'd a gentleman
I stand much bound to.
I think he sent the Casket sir?
Ser.
The same Sir.
Ar.
An honest minded man, a noble Courtier:
The Duke made perfect choice when he took him.
Goe you home, I shall hit the way
Without a guide now.
Ser.
You may want something sir.
Ar.
Onely my horses,
Which after Supper let the Groom wait with:
Ile have no more attendance here.
Ser.
Your will sir?
Exit.
Enter Theodore.
Theod.
You are well met here sir.
Ar.
How now boy,
How do'st thou?
The.
I should aske
You that question: how doe you sir?
How doe you feele your selfe?
Ar.
Why well, and lustie.
The.
What doe you here then?
Ar.
Why I am sent for
To Supper with the Duke.
The.
Have you no meat at home?
Or doe you long to feed as hunted Deere doe,
In doubt and feare?
Ar.
I have an excellent stomach,
And can I use it better
Then among my friends boy?
How doe the wenches?
The.
They doe well enough sir,
They know the worst by this time: pray be rul'd sir,
Goe home againe, and if ye have a Supper
Eate it in quiet there: this is no place for ye,
Especially at this time,
Take my word for't.
Ar.
May be they'll drink hard;
I could have drunk my share Boy.
Though I am old, I will not out.
The.
I hope you will.
Hark in your eare: the Court's
Too quick of hearing.
Ar.
Not mean me wel?
Thou art abus'd and cozen'd.
Away, away.
The.
To that end sir I tell ye.
Away, if ye love your selfe.
Ar.
Who dare doe these things,
That ever heard of honesty?
The.
Old Gntleman,
Take a fooles counsell.
Ar.
'Tis a fooles indeed;
A very fooles: thou hast more of
These flams in thee, these musty doubts:
Is't fit the Duke send for me,
And honour me to eate within his presence,
And I, like a tal fellow, play at bo-peep
With his pleasure?
The.
Take heed
Of bo-peep with your pate, your pate sir,
I speak plain language now.
Ar.
If 'twere not here,
Where reverence bids me hold,
I would so swinge thee, thou rude,
Unmanner'd knave; take from his bounty,
His honour that he gives me, to beget
Sawcy, and sullen feares?
The.
You are not mad sure:
By this faire light, I speak
But what is whisper'd,
And whisper'd for a truth.
Ar.
A dog: drunken people,
That in their Pot see visions,
And turne states, mad-men and children:
Prethee doe not follow me;
I tell thee I am angrie:
Doe not follow me.
The.
I am as angrie
As you for your heart.
I and as wilfull too: goe, like a Wood-cock,
And thrust your neck ith' noose.
Ar.
Ile kill thee.
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Doe not follow me.
Exit.
The.
A strange old foolish fellow: I shall heare yet,
And if I doe not my part hisse at me.
Exit.
Scæne 5.
Enter two Servants preparing a Banquet.1. Ser.
Beleeve me fellow here will be lusty drinking.
Many a washt pate in wine I warrant thee.
2 Ser.
I am glad the old Generall's come: upon my conscience
That joy will make half the Court drunk. Hark the Trumpets,
They are comming on; away.
1 Ser.
Wee'll have a rowse too.
Exit.
Enter Duke, Archas, Burris, Boroskie, Attend. Gent.
Duk.
Come seat your selves: Lord Archas sit you there.
Ar.
Tis farre above my worth.
Duke.
Ile have it so:
Are all things ready?
Bor.
All the Guards are set,
The Coutt gates shut.
Duk.
Then doe as I prescrib'd yee.
Be sure no further.
Bor.
I shall well observe ye.
Du.
Come bring some wine: here's to my sister gentlemen;
A health, and mirth to all.
Ar.
Pray fill it full sir.
'Tis a high health to vertue: here Lord Burris,
A maiden health: you are most fit to pledge it,
You have a maiden soule, and much I honour it.
Passion o'me, ye are sad man.
Du.
How now Burris.
Goe to, no more of this.
Ar.
Take the rowse freely,
'Twill warme your bloud, and make ye fit for jollity.
Your graces pardon: when we get a cup sir,
We old men prate a pace.
Du.
Mirth makes a banquet;
As you love me no more.
Bur.
I thank your grace.
Give me it; Lord Boroskie.
Boros.
I have ill braines sir.
Bur.
Damnable ill, I know it.
Boros.
But Ile pledge sir
This vertuous health.
Bu.
The more unfit for thy mouth.
Enter two Servants with Cloaks.
Du.
Come, bring out Robes, & let my guests look nobly,
Fit for my love, and presence: begin downward.
Off with your cloaks, take new.
Ar.
Your grace deales truely
Like a munificent Prince, with your poor subjects,
Who would not fight for you? what cold dull coward
Durst seek to save his life when you would aske it?
Begin a new health in your new adornments,
The Dukes, the Royall Dukes: ha, what have I got
Sir? ha! the robe of death!
Duke.
You have deserv'd it.
Ar.
The livorie of the grave? do you start all from me?
Doe I smell of earth already? Sir look on me,
And like a man; is this your entertainment?
Doe you bid your worthiest guests to bloudy Banquets.
Enter a Guard.
A Guard upon me too? this is too foule play
Boy to thy good, thine honour; thou wretched Ruler,
Thou sonne of fooles and flatterers, heire of hypocrites,
Am I serv'd in a hearse that sav'd ye all?
Are ye men or devills? doe ye gape upon me,
Wider, and swallow all my services?
Entombe them first, my faith next, then my integritie,
And let these struggle with your mangy mindes,
Your sear'd, and seal'd up consciences, till ye burst.
Boros.
These words are death.
Ar.
No those deeds that want rewards, sirrah,
Those Battells I have fought, those horrid dangers,
Leaner then death, and wilder then destruction,
I have march'd upon, these honour'd wounds, times story,
The bloud I have lost, the youth, the sorrowes suffer'd,
These are my death, these that can ne're be recompenced,
These that ye sit a brooding on like Toads.
Sucking from my deserts the sweets and favours,
And render me no pay againe but poisons.
Bor.
The proud vaine souldier thou hast set—
Ar.
Thou lyest.
Now by my little time of life lyest basely,
Malitiously and loudly: how I scorne thee?
If I had sweld the souldier, or intended
An act in person, leaning to dishonour,
As ye would faine have forced me, witnesse heaven,
Where clearest understanding of all truth is,
(For these are spightfull men, and know no piety)
When Olin came, grim Olin, when his marches,
His last Incursions made the City sweat,
And drove before him, as a storme drives Haile,
Such showrs of frosted fears, shook all your heart-strings;
Then when the Volga trembled at his terrour,
And hid his seven curl'd heads, afraid of bruising,
By his arm'd horses hoofes; had I been false then,
Or blowne a treacherous fire into the souldier,
Had but one sparke of villanie liv'd within me,
Ye'ad had some shadow for this black about me.
Where was your souldiership? why went not you out?
And all your right honourable valour with ye?
Why met ye not the Tartar, and defi'd him?
Drew your dead-doing sword, and buckl'd with him?
Shot through his Squadrons like a fierie Meteor?
And as we see a dreadfull clap of thunder
Rend the stiffe hearted Oakes, and tosse their roots up:
Why did not you so charge him? you were sick then,
You that dare taint my credit slipt to bed then,
Stewing and fainting with the feares ye had,
A whorson shaking fit opprest your Lordship:
Blush Coward knave, and all the world hisse at thee.
Duk.
Exceed not my command.
Exit.
Bor.
I shall observe it.
Exit.
Ar.
Are you gone too? Come weep not honest Burris,
Good loving Lord, no more teares: 'Tis not his malice,
This fellowes malice, nor the Dukes displeasure,
By bold bad men, crowded into his nature,
Can startle me: fortune ne're raz'd this Fort yet:
I am the same, the same man, living, dying;
The same mind to 'em both, I poize thus equall;
Onely the jugling way that told me to it,
The Judas way, to kisse me, bid me welcome,
And cut my throat, a little sticks upon me.
Farewell, commend me to his grace, and tell him,
The world is full of servants, he may have many:
And some I wish him honest: hee's undone else:
But such another doating Archas never,
So try'd and touch'd a faith: farewell for ever.
Bur.
Be strong my Lord: you must not go thus lightly.
Ar.
Now, what's to doe? what sayes the Law unto me?
Give me my great offence that speaks me guilty,
Bor.
Laying aside a thousand petty matters,
45
Which you put first fire to, and these are deadly,
I come to one maine cause, which though it carries
A strangenesse in the circumstance, it carries death too,
Not to be pardon'd neither: ye have done a sacriledge.
Ar.
High heaven defend me man: how, how Borosky?
Bor.
Ye have tooke from the Temple those vow'd Arms,
The holy Ornament you hung up there,
No absolution of your vow, no order
From holy Church to give 'em backe unto you
After they were purified from war, and rested
From bloud, made cleane by ceremony: from the Altar
You snatch'd 'em up againe, againe ye wore 'em,
Againe you staind 'em, staind your vow, the Church too,
And rob'd it of that right was none of yours sir,
For which the Law requires your head, ye know it.
Ar.
Those Armes I fought in last?
Bor.
The same.
Ar.
God a mercy,
Thou hast hunted out a notable cause to kill me:
A subtle one: I dye, for saving all you;
Good sir remember if you can, the necessitie,
The suddainesse of time, the State all stood in;
I was entreated to, kneel'd to, and prai'd to,
The Duke himselfe, the Princes, all the Nobles,
The cries of Infants, bedrid fathers, virgins;
Prethee find out a better cause, a hansomer,
This will undo thee too: people will spit at thee,
The devill himselfe would be asham'd of this cause;
Because my hast made me forget the ceremony,
The present danger every where, must my life satisfie?
Bor.
It must, and shall.
Ar.
O base ungratefull people,
Have ye no other Sword to cut my throat with
But mine owne noblenesse? I confesse, I tooke 'em,
The vow not yet absolv'd, I hung 'em up with:
Wore 'em, fought in 'em, gilded 'em againe
In the fierce Tartars blouds; for you I tooke 'em,
For your peculiar safety, Lord, for all,
I wore 'em for my Countries health, that gron'd then:
Tooke from the Temple, to preserve the Temple;
That holy place, and all the sacred monuments,
The reverent shrines of Saints, ador'd and honour'd,
Had been consum'd to ashes, their owne sacrifice,
Had I been slacke, or staid that absolution,
No Priest had liv'd to give it; my owne honour
Cure of my Country murder me?
Bor.
No, no sir,
I shall force that from ye, will make this cause light too,
Away with him: I shall plucke downe that heart sir.
Ar.
Breake it thou maiest; but if it bend, for pitty,
Doggs, and Kits eate it: come I am honours Martyr.
Ex.
Scæne 6.
Enter Duke, and Burris.Du.
Exceed my warrant?
Bur.
You know he loves him not.
Du.
He dares as well meet death, as do it, eat wildfire,
Through a few feares I meane to trye his goodnesse,
That I may find him fit, to weare here Burris;
I know Boroskie hates him, to death hates him,
I know he's a Serpent too, a swolne one
Noise within.
But I have puld his sting out; what noise is that?
The.
Within.
Down with 'em, down with 'em, down with the gates.
Sold.
Within.
Stand, stand, stand.
Puts.
Within.
Fire the Pallace before ye.
Bur.
Upon my life the Souldier, sir, the Souldier.
A miserable time is come.
Enter Gent.
Gent.
Oh save him,
Upon my knees, my hearts knees, save Lord Archas,
We are undone else.
Du.
Dares he touch his body?
Gent.
He racks him fearefully, most fearefully.
Du.
Away Burris,
Take men, and take him from him; clap him up,
And if I live, I'le find a strange death for him:
Ex. Bur.
Are the Souldiers broke in?
Gent.
By this time sure they are sir,
They beate the gates extreamely, beate the people.
Du.
Get me a guard about me; make sure the lodgings
And speake the Souldiers faire.
Gent.
Pray heaven that take sir.
Exit.
Enter Putsky, Ancient, Souldiers, with Torches.
Put,
Give us the Generall, wee'l fire the Court else,
Render him safe and well,
An.
Do not fire the Cellar,
There's excellent wine in't Captain, and though it be cold whether,
I do not love it mul'd: bring out the Generall,
Wee'll light ye, such a bonefire else; where are ye?
Speak, or wee'l tosse your Turrets, peep out of your hives
Wee'l smoake ye else: is not that a nose there?
Put out that nose againe, and if thou dar'st
But blow it before us: now he creepes out on's burrough.
Puts.
Give us the Generall.
Enter Gent.
Gent.
Yes, Gentlemen;
Or any thing ye can desire.
Anc.
You musk-cat
Cordevan-skin, we will not take your answer.
Put.
Where is the Duke? speak suddenly, and send him hether.
Anc.
Or wee'l so frie your buttucks.
Gent.
Good sweet Gentlemen—
Anc.
We are neither good, nor sweet, we are Souldiers
And you miscreants that abuse the Generall,
Give fire my boyes 'tis a darke evening,
Let's light 'em to their lodgings.
Enter Olimpia, Honora, Viola, Theodore, Women.
Hon.
Good brother be not fierce.
The.
I will not hurt her,
Feare not sweet Lady.
Ol.
'May do what you please sir,
I have a sorrow that exceeds all yours,
And more, contemnes all danger.
Enter Duke above
The.
Where is the Duke?
Du.
He's here; what would ye Souldiers? wherefore troop ye
Like mutinous mad-men thus?
The.
Give me my father.
Put., Anc.
Give us our Generall.
The.
Set him here before us,
Ye see the pledge we have got; ye see these torches;
All shall to ashes, as I live, immediately,
A thousand lives for one.
Du.
But heare me?
Put.
No, we come not to dispute.
Enter Archas and Bur.
The.
By heaven I sweare he's rackt and whipt.
Hon.
Oh my poore father!
Put.
Burne, kill, and burne.
Ar.
Hold, hold I say: hold Souldiers,
On your allegeance hold.
The.
We must not.
Ar.
Hold:
I sweare by heaven he it a barbarous Traitour stirs first,
A villaine, and a stranger to obedience,
46
Why did you use your old man thus? thus cruelly
Torture his poore weake body? I ever lov'd ye.
Du.
Forget me in these wrongs, most noble Archas.
Ar.
I have balme enough for all my hurts: weep no more sir,
A satisfaction for a thousand sorrowes:
I do beleeve ye innocent, a good man,
And heaven forgive that naughty thing that wrong'd me.
Why looke ye wild my friends? why stare ye one me?
I charge ye as ye are men, my men, my lovers,
As ye are honest faithfull men, faire Souldiers,
Let downe your anger: Is not this our Soveraigne,
The head of mercie, and of Law? who dares then,
But Rebels is scorning Law, appeare thus violent?
Is this a place for Swords? for threatning fires?
The reverence of this house dares any touch,
But with obedient knees, and pious duties?
Are we not all his Subjects? all sworn to him?
Has not he power to punish our offences?
And do not we dayly fall into 'em? assure your selves
I did offend and highly, grievously,
This good sweet Prince I offended, my life forfeited,
Which yet his mercy, and his old love met with,
And only let me feele his light rod this way:
Ye are to thanke him for your Generall,
Pray for his life, and fortune: sweat your blouds for him.
You are offenders too, daily offenders,
Proud insolencies dwell in your hearts, and ye do 'em,
Do 'em against his peace, his Law, his Person;
Ye see he only sorrowes for your sins,
And where his power might persecute, forgives ye:
For shame put up your Swords, for honesty,
For orders sake and whose ye are, my Souldiers,
Be not so rude.
The.
They have drawne bloud from ye sir.
Ar.
That was the bloud rebel'd, the naughty bloud,
The proud provoking bloud; 'tis well 'tis out boy;
Give you example first; draw out, and orderly.
Hon.
Good brother doe.
Ar.
Honest and high example,
As thou wilt haue my blessing follow thee,
Inherit all mine honours: thanke ye Theodore,
My worthy son.
The.
If harme come, thanke your selfe sir;
I must obey ye.
Exit.
Ar.
Captaine, you know the way now:
A good man, and a valiant, you were ever,
Inclind to honest things: I thanke ye Captaine.
Ex. Soul.
Souldiers, I thanke ye all: and love me still,
But do not love me so you lose allegeance,
Love that above your lives: once more I thanke ye.
Du.
Bring him to rest, and let our cares waite on him;
Thou excellent old man, thou top of honour,
Where justice, and obedience onlie build,
Thou stocke of vertue, how am I bound to love thee?
In all thy noble waies to follow thee?
Bur.
Remember him that vext him sir.
Du.
Remember?
When I forget that villaine, and to pay him
For all his mischiefes, may all good thoughts forget me.
Ar.
I am very sore,
Du.
Bring him to bed with ease Gentlemen,
For everie stripe I'le drop a teare to wash 'em,
And in my sad repentance—
Ar.
'Tis too much,
I have a life yet left to gaine that love sir.
Exeunt
| The Loyal Svbiect | |