 | The Humorous Lieutenant |  |
Actus Quintus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Leontius, and Celia.Leo.
I know he do's not deserve ye; h'as us'd ye poorely:
And to redeeme himselfe—
Cel.
Redeeme?
Leo.
I know it—
There's no way left:
Cel.
For heavens sake doe not name him.
Doe not thinke on him sir, he's so far from me
In all my thoughts now, methinkes I never knew him.
Leo.
But yet I would see him againe.
Cel.
No, never, never.
Leo.
I doe not meane to lend him any comfort;
But to afflict him, so to torture him;
That even his very soule may shake within him:
To make him know, though he be great and powerfull,
'Tis not within his aime to deale dishonourably,
And carry it off, and with a maid of your sort.
Cel.
I most confesse, I could most spightfully afflict him;
Now, now, I could whet my anger at him;
Now, arm'd with bitternesse, I could shoot through him;
I long to vex him:
Leo.
And doe it home, and bravely:
Cel.
Were I a man?
Leo.
Ile helpe that weakenesse in ye:
I honour ye, and serve ye.
Cel.
Not onely to disclaime me,
When he had seal'd his vowes in heaven, sworne to me,
And poore beleeving I became his servant:
But most maliciously to brand my credit,
Staine my pure name.
Leo.
I would not suffer it:
See him I would againe, and to his teeth too:
Od's precious, I would ring him such a lesson—
Cel.
I have done that already.
Leo.
Nothing, nothing:
It was too poore a purge; besides, by this time
He has found his fault, and feeles the hells that follow it.
That, and your urg'd on anger to the highest.
Why, 'twill be such a stroake—
Cel.
Say he repent then,
And seeke with teares to soften, I am a woman;
A woman that have lov'd him, sir, have honour'd him:
I am no more.
Leo.
Why, you may deale thereafter.
Cel.
If I forgive him, I am lost.
Leo.
Hold there then,
The sport will be to what a poore submission—
But keepe you strong.
Cel.
I would not see him.
Leo.
Yes,
You shall ring his knell:
Cel.
How if I kill him?
Leo.
Kill him: why, let him dye.
Cel.
I know 'tis fit so.
But why should I that lov'd him once, destroy him?
O had he scap't this sin, what a brave Gentleman—
Leo.
I must confesse, had this not falne, a nobler,
A handsomer, the whole world had not show'd ye:
And to his making such a mind.
Cel.
'Tis certaine:
But all this I must now forget.
Leo.
You shall not
If I have any art: goe up sweet Lady,
And trust my truth.
Cel.
But good sir bring him not.
Leo.
I would not for the honour ye are born too,
But you shall see him, and neglect him too, and scorn him.
Cel.
You will be neere me then.
Leo.
I will be with ye;
Yet ther's some hope to stop this gap, ile work hard.
Exe.
Scæne 2.
Enter Antigonus, Menippus, two Gent. Lieutenant, and Lords.Antig.
But is it possible this fellow tooke it?
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It seemes so by the violence it wrought with,
Yet now the sits ev'n off.
Men.
I beseech your Grace.
Ant.
Nay, I forgive thy wife with all my heart,
And am right glad she dranke it not her selfe,
And more glad that the vertuous maid escapt it,
I would not for the world 'thad hit: but that this Souldier,
Lord how he lookes, that he should take this vomit;
Can he make rimes too?
2 Gent.
'Has made a thousand sir,
And plaies the burthen to 'em on a Jewes-trump.
Ant.
He lookes as though he were bepist: do you love me sir?
Lie.
Yes surely even with all my heart.
Ant.
I thanke ye;
I am glad I have so good a subject: but pray ye tell me,
How much did ye love me, before ye dranke this matter?
Lie.
Even as much as a sober man might; & a Souldier
That your Grace owes just halfe a yeares pay to.
Ant.
Well remembred;
And did I seeme so young and amiable to ye?
Lieu.
Methought you were the sweetest youth—
Ant.
That's excellent.
Lieu.
I truly sir; and ever as I thought on ye,
I wish'd, and wish'd—
Ant.
What didst thou wish I prethee?
Lieu.
Ev'n, that I had been a wench of fifteene for ye,
A hansome wench sir.
Ant.
Why? God a mercy Souldier:
I seeme not so now to thee.
Lieu.
Not all out:
And yet I have a grudging to your Grace still.
Ant.
Thou wast never in love before?
Lieu.
Not with a King,
And hope I shall never be again: Truly sir,
I have had such plundges, and such bickrings,
And as it were such runnings atilt within me,
For whatsoever it was provok't me toward ye.
Ant.
God-a-mercy still.
Lieu.
I had it with a vengeance,
It plaid his prize.
Ant.
I would not have been a wench then,
Though of this age.
Lieu.
No sure, I should have spoiled ye.
Ant.
Well, goe thy waies, of all the lusty lovers
That ere I saw—wilt have an other potion?
Lieu.
If you will be another thing, have at ye.
Ant.
Ha, ha, ha: give me thy hand, from henceforth thou art my souldier,
Do bravely, Ile love thee as much.
Lieu.
I thanke ye;
But if you were mine enemie, I would not wish it ye:
I beseech your Grace, pay me my charge.
2 Gen.
Thats certaine sir;
Has bought up all that ere he found was like ye,
Or any thing you have lov'd, that he could purchase;
Old horses, that your Grace has ridden blind, & founder'd;
Dogs, rosten hawkes, and which is more then all this,
Has worne your Graces Gauntlet in his Bonnet.
An.
Bring in your Bils: mine own love shall be satisfi'd;
And sirrah, for this potion you have taken,
Ile point ye out a portion ye shall live on.
Men,
Twas the best draught that ere ye drunk.
Lieu.
I hope so.
Ant.
Are the Princes come to'th' Court?
Men.
They are all, and lodg'd sir.
Ant.
Come then, make ready for their entertainment,
Which presently wee'l give: wait you on me sir.
Lie.
I shal love drinke the better whilst I live boyes.
Ex.
Scæne 3.
Enter Demetrius and Leontius.Dem.
Let me but see her deare Leontius;
Let me but dye before her.
Leo.
Would that would doe it:
If I knew where she lay now, with what honestie,
You having flung so maine a mischiefe on her,
And on so innocent and sweet a Beautie,
Dare I present your visit?
Dem.
Ile repent all:
And with the greatest sacrifice of sorrow
That ever Lover made.
Leo.
Twill be too late sir:
I know not what will become of you.
Dem.
You can help me.
Le.
It may be to her sight: what are you nearer;
She has sworne she will not speake to ye looke upon ye,
And to love ye againe, O she cries out, and thunders,
She had rather love—there is no hope—
Dem.
Yes Leontius,
There is a hope, which though it draw no love to it,
At least will draw her to lament my fortune,
And that hope shall relieve me.
Leo.
Harke ye sir, harke ye:
Say I should bring ye—
Dem.
Do not trifle with me?
Leo.
I will not trifle; both together bring ye,
You know the wrongs ye' done.
Dem.
I do confesse 'em.
Leo.
And if you should then jump into your fury,
And have another querke in your head.
Dem.
I'le dye first.
Leo.
You must say nothing to her; for 'tis certaine,
The nature of your crime will admit no excuse.
Dem.
I will not speake, mine eyes shall tell my penance.
Leo.
You must looke wondrous sad too.
Dem.
I need not looke so,
I am truly sadnesse selfe.
Leo.
That looke will do it:
Stay here, I'le bring her to you instantly:
But take heed how you beare your selfe: sit down there,
The more humble you are, the more she'l take compassion
Women are per'lous things to deale upon.
Exit.
Dem.
What shall become of me? to curse my fortune,
Were but to curse my father; that's too impious;
But under whatsoever fate I suffer,
Blesse I beseech thee heaven her harmlesse goodnesse.
Enter Leontius and Celia.
Leo.
Now arme your selfe.
Cel.
You have not brought him?
Leo.
Yes faith,
And there he is: you see in what poore plight too,
Now you may doe your will, kill him, or save him.
Cel.
I will goe back.
Leo.
I will be hang'd then Lady,
Are yee a coward now?
Cel.
I cannot speak to him.
Dem.
O me.
Leo.
There was a sigh to blow a Church downe;
So, now their eyes are fixt, the small shot playes,
They will come toth' batterie anon.
Cel.
He weeps extreamly.
Leo.
Raile at him now.
Cel.
I dare not.
146
I am glad on't.
Cel.
Nor dare beleeve his teares.
Dem.
You may blest beauty,
For those thicke streames that troubled my repentance,
Are crept out long agoe.
Leo.
You see how he looks.
Cel.
What have I to doe how he looks? how lookt he then,
When with a poisoned truth he bit mine honour,
It was your counsell too, to scorne and slight him.
Leo.
I, if ye saw fit cause; and you confest too,
Except this sin, he was the bravest gentleman,
The sweetest, noblest: I take nothing from ye,
Nor from your anger; use him as you please:
For to say truth, he has deserved your justice;
But still consider what he has been to you.
Cel.
Pray doe not blinde me thus.
Dem.
O gentle Mistris,
If there were any way to expiate
A sinne so great as mine, by intercession,
By praiers, by daily teares, by dying for ye:
O what a joy would close these eyes that love ye.
Leo.
They say women have tender hearts, I know not,
I am sure mine melts.
Cel.
Sir, I forgive ye heartily,
And all your wrong to me I cast behind me,
And wish ye a fit beauty to your vertues:
Mine is too poore, in peace I part thus from you;
I must look back: gods keep your Grace: he's here still.
Ex.
Dem.
She has forgiven me.
Leo.
She has directed ye:
Up, up, and follow like a man: away sir,
She lookt behind her twice: her heart dwels here sir,
Ye drew teares from her too: she cannot freeze thus;
The doore's set open too, are ye a man?
Are ye alive? doe ye understand her meaning?
Have ye bloud and spirit in ye?
Dem.
I dare not trouble her.
Leo.
Nay, and you will be nipt i'th' head with nothing,
Walke whining up and downe; I dare not, I cannot:
Strike now or never: faint heart, you know what sir—
Be govern'd by your feare, and quench your fire out.
A devill on't stands this doore ope for nothing:
So get ye together, and be naught: now to secure all,
Will I go fetch out a more soveraigne plaister.
Ex.
Scæne 4.
Enter Antigonus, Seleucus, Lysimachus, Ptolomey, Lieuten. Gent. Lords.Ant.
This peace is fairely made.
Seleu.
Would your Grace wish us
To put in more: take what you please, we yeeld it;
The honour done us by your sonne constraines it,
Your noble sonne.
Ant.
It is sufficient, Princes;
And now we are one againe, one mind, one body,
And one sword shall strike for us.
Lys.
Let Prince Demetrius
But lead us on: for we are his vowed servants;
Against the strength of all the world wee'l buckle.
Ptol.
And even from all that strength wee'l catch at victory.
Sel.
O had I now recover'd but the fortune
I lost in Antioch, when mine Unckle perish'd;
But that were but to surfeit me with blessings.
Lys.
You lost a sweet childe there.
Sel.
Name it no more sir;
This is no time to entertaine such sorrowes;
Wil your Majestie do us the honor, we may see the Prince,
And wait upon him?
Enter Leon.
Ant.
I wonder he stayes from us:
How now Leontius, where's my sonne?
Sel.
Brave Captaine.
Lys.
Old valiant sir.
Leo.
Your Graces are welcome:
Your sonne and't please you sir, is new casheered yonder,
Cast from his Mistris favour: and such a coile there is;
Such fending, and such proving; she stands off,
And will by no meanes yeeld to composition:
He offers any price; his body to her.
Sel.
She is a hard Lady, denies that caution.
Leo.
And now they whine, & now they rave: faith Princes,
'Twere a good point of charitie to piece 'em;
For lesse then such a power will doe just nothing:
And if you meane to see him, there it must be,
For there will he grow, till he be transplanted.
Sel.
Beseech your Grace, lets wait upon you thither,
That I may see that beauty dares deny him,
That scornfull beautie.
Ptol.
I should thinke it worse now;
Ill brought up beautie.
Ant.
She has too much reason for't;
Which with too great a grief, I shame to thinke of,
But wee'l goe see this game.
Lys.
Rather this wonder.
Ant.
Be you our guide Leontius, here's a new peace.
Ex.
Scæne 5.
Enter Demetrius and Celia.Cel.
Thus far you shall perswade me still to honour ye,
Still to live with ye sir, or neere about ye;
For not to lye, you have my first and last love,
But since you have conceiv'd an evill against me,
An evill that so much concernes your honour,
That honour aim'd by all at for a patterne:
And though there be a false thought, and confest too,
And much repentance falne in shoures to purge it;
Yet, whilst that great respect I ever bore ye,
Dwels in my bloud, and in my heart that duty;
Had it but been a dreame, I must not touch ye.
Dem.
O you will make some other happy?
Cel.
Never,
Upon this Hand I'le seale that faith.
Dem.
We may kisse,
Put not those out o'th' peace too.
Cel.
Those I'le give ye,
So there you will be pleas'd to pitch your ultra,
I will be merry with ye; sing, discourse with ye,
Be your poore Mistris still: in truth I love ye.
Enter Leontius, Antigonus, Seleucus, Lysimachus, Ptolomy, Lieutenant, Gentleman.
Dem.
Stay, who are these?
Lys.
A very hansome Lady?
Leo.
As ere you saw.
Sel.
Pitty her heart's so cruell.
Lys.
How does your Grace? he stands still, will not heare us.
Ptol.
We come to serve ye sir, in all our fortunes.
Lys.
He bowes a little now; he's strangely alter'd.
Sel.
Ha? pray ye a word Leontius, pray ye a word with ye
Lysimachus? you both knew mine Enanthe,
I lost in Antioch, when the Towne was taken,
Mine unckle slaine, Antigonus had the sack on't?
Lys.
Yes, I remember well the girle.
Sel.
Methinkes now
147
The same, but more yeares on her; the very same.
Lys.
A cherry to a cherry is not liker.
Sel.
Looke on her eyes.
Leo.
Most certaine she is like her:
Many a time have I dandled her in these armes sir,
And I hope who will more.
Ant.
What's that ye looke at, Princes?
Sel.
This picture, and that Lady sir.
Ant.
Ha: they are neare:
They only erre in time.
Lys.
Did you marke that blush there?
That came the nearest.
Sel.
I must speake to her.
Leo.
You'l quickly be resolved.
Sel.
Your name sweet Lady?
Cel.
Enanthe, sir: and this to beg your blessing.
Sel.
Doe you know me?
Cel.
If you be the King Seleucus,
I know you are my father.
Sel.
Peace a little,
Where did I lose ye?
Cel.
At the sack of Antioch,
Where my good Unckle di'de, and I was taken,
By a meane souldier taken: by this Prince,
This noble Prince, redeemed from him againe,
Where ever since I have remained his servant.
Sel.
My joyes are now too full: welcome Enanthe,
Mine owne, my dearest, and my best Enanthe.
Dem.
And mine too desperate.
Cel.
You shall not thinke so,
This is a peace indeed.
Ant.
I hope it shall be,
And aske it first.
Cel.
Most royall sir, ye have it.
Dem.
I once more beg it thus.
Sel.
You must not be deni'd sir.
Cel.
By me, I am sure he must not: sure he shall not;
Kneeling I give it too; kneeling I take it;
And from this houre, no envious spight ere part us.
All.
The gods give happy joyes; all comforts to ye.
Dem.
My new Enanthe.
Ant.
Come, beat all the Drums up,
And all the noble instruments of war:
Let 'em fill all the Kingdome with their sounds;
And those the brazen arch of heaven breake through,
While to the Temple we conduct these two.
Leo.
May they be ever loving, ever young,
And ever worthy of those lines they sprong:
May their faire issues walke with time along.
Lieu.
And hang a coward now; and there's my song.
Exeunt.
| The Humorous Lieutenant | |