 | The Island Princesse |  |
Actus Quartus.
Scæna prima.
Enter King, and Governor like a Moore Priest.Kin.
Soe far and truly you have discovered to me
The former currents of my life and fortune,
That I am bound to acknowledge ye most holy,
And certainly to credit your predictions
Of what are yet to come.
Gov.
I am no lyer,
'Tis strange I should, and live so neare a neighbour;
But these are not my ends.
Kin.
Pray ye sit good father,
Certaine a reverend man, and most religious.
Gov.
I, that beliefe's well now, and let me worke then,
I'le make ye curse religion ere I leave ye;
I have liv'd a long time son, a mewd up man,
Sequester'd by the speciall hand of heaven
From the worlds vanities, bid farewell to follies,
And shooke hands with all heats of youth and pleasures,
As in a dreame these twenty yeares I have slumber'd,
Many a cold moone have I in meditation,
And searching out the hidden wils of heaven,
Laine shaking under, many a burning Sun
Has fear'd my body, and boyl'd up my bloud,
Feebl'd my knees, and stampt a Meagernesse
Upon my figure, all to find out knowledge,
Which I have now attained too, thankes to heaven,
All for my countries good too, and many a vision,
Many a misticke vision have I seen son,
And many a sight from heaven which has been terrible,
Wherein the goods and evils of these Islands
Were lively shadowed; many a charge I have had too,
Still as the time grew ripe to reveale these,
To travell and discover, now I am come son,
The houre is now appointed,
My tongue is touch'd, and now I speake.
Kin.
Do holy man, I'le heare ye.
Gov.
Beware these Portugals, I say beware 'em,
These smooth fac'd strangers, have an eyes upon 'em.
The cause is now the God's, heare, and beleeve King.
King.
I do heare, but before I give rash credit,
Or hang too light on beliefe, which is a sin father;
Know I have found 'em gentle, faithfull, valiant,
And am in my particular, bound to 'em,
I meane to some for my most strange deliverance.
Gov.
O Son, the future aimes of men, observe me,
Above their present actions, and their glory,
Are to be look'd at: the stars shew many turnings,
If you could see, marke but with my eyes pupill;
These men came hether as my vision tels me,
Poore, weatherbeaten, almost lost, starv'd, feebled,
Their vessels like themselves, most miserable;
Made a long sute for traffique, and for comfort,
To vent their childrens toyes, cure their diseases:
They had their sute, they landed, and too th'rate
Grew rich and powerfull, suckt the fat, and freedome
Of this most blessed Isle, taught her to tremble,
Witnesse the Castle here, the Cittadell,
They have clapt upon the necke of your Tidore,
This happy town, till that she knew these strangers,
To check her when shee's jolly.
Kin.
They have so indeed father.
Gov.
Take heed, take heed, I find your faire delivery,
Though you be pleas'd to glorifie that fortune,
And thinke these strangers Gods, take heed I say,
I find it but a hansome preparation,
A faire fac'd Prologue to a further mischiefe:
Marke but the end good King, the pin he shootes at
That was the man deliver'd ye; the mirrour,
Your Sister is his due; what's she, your heire sir?
And what's he a kin then to the Kingdome?
But heires are not ambitious, who then suffers?
What reverence shall the Gods have? and what justice
The miserable people? what shall they doe?
Kin.
He points at truth directly.
Gov.
Thinke of these son:
The person, nor the manner I mislike not
Of your preserver, nor the whole man together,
Were he but season'd in the faith we are,
Ne, our devotions learn'd.
King.
You say right father.
Gov.
To change our worships now, and our Religion?
To be traytor to our God?
King.
You have well advised me,
And I will seriously consider father,
In the meane time you shall have your faire accesse
Unto my sister, advise her to your purpose,
And let me still know how the Gods determine.
Gov.
I will, but my maine end is to advise
The destruction of you all, a generall ruine,
And then I am reveng'd, let the Gods whistle.
Exeunt.
Enter Ruy Dias, and Pyniero.
Ruy.
Indeed, I am right glad ye were not greedie,
And suddaine in performing what I wild you,
Upon the person of Armusia,
I was affraid, for I well knew your valour,
And love to me.
Py.
'Twas not a faire thing unckle,
It shewd not hansome, carried no man in it.
Ruy.
I must confesse 'twas ill, and I abhor it,
Only this good has risen from this evill;
I have tried your honestie, and find proofe,
A constancie that will not be corrupted,
And I much honour it.
Py.
This Bell sounds better.
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My anger now, and that disgrace I have suffer'd,
Shall be more manly vented, and wip'd off,
And my sicke honour cur'd the right and straight way;
My Swords in my hand now nephew, my cause upon it,
And man to man, one vallour to another,
My hope to his.
Py.
Why? this like Ruy Dias?
This carries something of some substance in it;
Some mettle and some man, this sounds a gentleman;
And now methinkes, ye utter what becomes ye;
To kill men scurvily, 'tis such a dog tricke,
Such a ratcatchers occupation—
Ru.
It is no better,
But Pyniero now—
Py.
Now I do bravely.
Ru.
The difference of our states flung by forgotten,
The full opinion I have won in service,
And such respects that may not shew us equall,
Laid hansomely aside, only our fortunes,
And single manhoods—
Py.
In a service sir,
Of this most noble nature, all I am,
If I had ten lives more, those and my fortunes
Are ready for ye, I had thought ye had forsworn fighting,
Or banish'd those brave thoughts were wont to waite upon you
I am glad to see 'em cal'd home agen.
Ruy.
They are nephew,
Shews a Challenge
And thou shall see what fire they carry in them,
Here, you guesse what this meanes.
Py.
Yes, very well sir,
A portion of Scripture that puzzels many an interpreter.
Ruy.
As soone as you can find him—
Py.
That will not be long unckle,
And o' my conscience heele be ready as quickly.
Ruy.
I make no doubt good Nephew, carry it so
If you can possible that we may fight.
Py.
Nay, you shall fight assure your selfe.
Ru.
Pray ye heare me
In some such place where it may be possible
The Princesse may behold us.
Py.
I conceive ye,
Upon the sand behind the Castle sir,
A place remote enough, and there be windows
Out of her lodgings too, or I am mistaken.
Ruy.
Y'are i'th' right, if ye can worke that hansomly—
Py.
Let me alone, and pray be you prepar'd
Some three houres hence.
Ruy.
I will not faile.
Py.
Get you home,
And if you have any things to dispose of,
Or a few light prayers
That may befriend you, run 'em over quickely,
I warrant, I'le bring him on.
Ruy.
Farewell Nephew,
And when we meet againe—
Py.
I, I, fight handsomely;
Take a good draught or two of wine to settle ye,
'Tis an excellent armour for an ill conscience Unckle;
I am glad to see, this mans conversion,
I was affraid faire honour had been bedrid,
Or beaten out o'th' Island, souldiers and good ones,
Intended such base courses? he will fight now;
And I beleeve too bravely; I have seene him
Curry a fellowes carkasse hansomely:
And in the head of a troope stand as if he had been rooted there,
Dealing large doles of death; what a rascall was I
I did not see his will drawn?
What does she here?
Enter Quisara.
If there be any mischief toward, a woman makes one stil;
Now what new businesse is for me?
Quisar.
I was sending for ye,
But since we have met so faire,
You have sav'd that labour; I must entreat you sir—
Py.
Any thing Madam,
Your wils are my commands.
Qusar.
Y'are nobly courteous;
Upon my better thoughts Signeor Pyniero,
And my more peaceable considerations.
Which now I find the richer ornaments;
I wou'd desire you to attempt no farther
Against the person of the noble stranger,
In truth I am ashamd of my share in't;
Nor be incited further by your unckle,
I see it will sit ill upon your person;
I have considered, and it will shew ugly
Carried at best, a most unheard of cruelty;
Good sir desist—
Py.
You speake now like a woman,
And wondrous well this tendernesse becomes ye;
But this you must remember—your command
Was laid on with a kisse, and seriously
It must be taken off the same way Madam,
Or I stand bound still.
Quisar.
That shall not endanger ye,
Looke ye faire sir, thus I take off that duty.
Py.
By th'masse 'twas soft and sweet,
Some blouds would bound now,
And run a tilt; do not you thinke bright beauty,
You have done me in this kisse a mighty favour,
And that I stand bound by vertue of this honour,
To do what ever you command me?
Quisar.
I thinke sir,
From me these are unusuall curtesies,
And ought to be respected so; there are some,
And men of no mean ranke, would hold themselves
Not poorely blest to taste of such a bounty.
Py.
I know there are that wou'd do many unjust things
For such a kisse, and yet I hold this modest;
All villanies body and soule dispence with,
For such a provocation, kill their kindred,
Demolish the faire credits of their Parents;
Those kisses I am not acquainted with, most certaine Madam
The appurtenance of this kisse wou'd not provoke me
To do a mischief, 'tis the devils owne dance,
To be kiss'd into cruelty.
Quisar.
I am glad you make that use sir.
Py.
I am gladder
That you made me beleeve you were cruell,
For by this hand I know I am so honest,
However I deceiv'd ye, 'twas high time too,
Some common slave might have been set upon it else,
That willingly I wou'd not kill a dog
That could but fetch and carry for a woman,
She must be a good woman made me kick him,
And that will be hard to find, to kill a man,
If you will give me leave to get another,
Or any she that plaid the best game at it.
And fore a womans anger prefer her fancy.
Quisar.
I take it in you well.
Py.
I thanke ye Lady,
And I shall study to confirme it.
Quisar.
Do sir,
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Most holy sir.
Enter Governour, Quisana and Panura.
Gov.
Blesse ye my royall daughter,
And in you, blesse this Island heaven.
Quisar.
Good Aunt,
What thinke ye of this man?
Quisan.
Sure 'is a wise man,
And a religious, he tels us things have hapned
So many yeares agoe almost forgotten,
As readily, as if they were done this houre.
Quisar.
Does he not meet with your sharpe tongue?
Pan.
He tels me Madam,
Marriage, and mouldy cheese will make me tamer.
Gov.
A stubborne keeper, and worse fare,
An open stable, and cold care,
Will tame a Jade, may be your share.
Pan.
Bir Lady, a sharp prophet, when this proves good
I'le bequeath you a skin to make ye a hood.
Gov.
Lady I would talke with you.
Quisar.
Do reverend sir.
Gov.
And for you good, for that that must concerne ye,
And give eare wisely to me.
Quisar.
I shall father.
Gov.
You are a Princesse of that excellence,
Sweetnesse, and grace, that Angell-like faire feature,
Nay, do not blush, I doe not flatter you,
Nor do I dote in telling this, I am amazed Lady,
And as I thinke the gods bestow'd these on ye,
The gods that love ye.
Quisar.
I confesse their bounty.
Gov.
Apply it then to their use, to their honour,
To them, and to their service give this sweetnesse;
They have an instant great use of your goodnesse;
You are a Saint esteem'd here for your beauty,
And may a longing heart—
Quisar.
I seeke no fealty,
Nor will I blemish that heaven has seal'd on me,
I know my worth, indeed the Portugals
I have at those commands, and their last services,
Nay, even their lives, so much I thinke my hansomnesse,
That what I shall enjoyne—
Gov.
Use it discreetly,
For I perceive ye understand me rightly,
For here the gods regard your helpe, and suddenly;
The Portugals like sharpe thornes (marke me Lady)
Sticke in our sides, like razors, wound religion,
Draw deep, they wound, till the life bloud followes,
Our gods they spurne at, and their worships scorne,
A mighty hand they beare upon our government,
These are the men your miracle must worke on,
Your heavenly forme, either to roote them out,
Which as you may endeavour will be easie,
Remember whose great cause you have to execute,
To nip their memory, that may not spring more,
Or fairely bring 'em home to our devotions,
Which will be blessed, and for which, you sainted,
But cannot be, and they go; let me buzzle.
Quisar.
Go up with me,
Where wee'l converse more privately;
I'le shew ye shortly how I hold their temper;
And in what chaine their soules.
Gov.
Keep fast that hold still,
And either bring that chaine, and those bound in it,
And linke it to our gods, and their faire worships,
Or daughter pinch their hearts a peeces with it,
I'le waite upon your grace.
Quisar.
Come reverend father.
Waite you below.
Ex. Quisar. and Gov.
Pan.
If this prophet were a young thing,
I should suspect him now, he cleaves so close to her;
These holy coats are long, and hide in iniquities.
Quisan.
Away, away foole, a poore wretch,
Pan.
These poore ones
Warme but their stomakes once—
Quisan.
Come in, thou art foolish.
Ex. Quisan. and Pan.
Enter Armusia, Emanuel, Pyniero.
Arm.
I am sorry sir my fortune is so stubborne,
To court my sword against my countriman,
I love my nation well, and where I find
A Portugall of noble name and vertue,
I am his humble servant. Signeor Pyniero,
Your person, nor your unckles am I angry with,
You are both faire Gentlemen in my opinion,
And I protest, I had rather use my sword
In your defences, then against your safeties;
'Tis me thinkes, a strange dearth of enemies,
When we seeke foes among our selves.
Em.
You are injured,
And you must make the best on't now, and readiest—
Arm.
You see I am ready in the place, and arm'd
To his desire that cald me.
Py.
Ye speake honestly,
And I could wish ye had met on tearmes more friendly.
But it cannot now be so.
Enter Ruy Dias.
Em.
Turne sir, and see.
Py.
I have kept my word with ye unckle,
The Gentleman is ready.
Enter Governour, and Quisara above.
Arm.
Ye are welcome.
Ru.
Bid those fooles welcome that affect your curtesie,
I come not to use complement, ye have wrong'd me,
And ye shall feele proud man ere I part from ye,
The effects of that, if fortune do not foole me;
Thy life is mine, and no hope shall redeeme thee.
Arm.
That's a proud word,
More then your faith can justifie.
Quisar.
Sure they will fight.
Ruy.
She's there, I am happy.
Gov.
Let 'em alone, let 'em kill one another,
These are the maine postes, if they fall, the buildings
Will tumple quickley.
Quisar.
How temperate Armusia?
No more, be quiet yet.
Arm.
I am not bloudy,
Nor do not feele such mortall malice in me,
But since we cannot both enjoy the Princesse,
I am resolv'd to fight.
Ruy.
Fight home Armusia,
For if thou faint'st, or fall'st—
Arm.
Do ye make all vantages?
Ruy.
Alwaies; unto thy life I will not spare thee,
Nor looke not for thy mercy.
Arm.
I am arm'd then.
Ruy.
Stand still I charge ye nephew, as ye honour me.
Arm.
And good Emanuel—not—
Py.
Ye speake fitly,
For we had not stood idle else.
Gov.
I am sorry for't.
Em.
But since you will have it so—
Ruy.
Come sir.
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I waight ye.
Py.
I marry this looks hansomely,
This is warme worke.
Gov.
Both fall an't be thy will.
Ruy fals.
Py.
My Unckle dead?
Em.
Stand still, or my swords in—
Ar.
Now brave Ruy Dias,
Now where's your confidence, your prayers? quickly
Your owne spite has condemn'd ye.
Quisar.
Hold Armusia.
Ar.
Most happy Lady.
Quisar.
Hold and let him rise,
Spare him for me.
Ar.
A long life may he enjoy Lady.
Gov.
What ha' you done? 'tis better they had all perisht.
Quisar.
Peace father, I worke for the best; Armusia,
Be in the garden an houre hence.
Ex. Qu. and Gov.
Ar.
I shall Madam.
Py.
Now as I live a Gentleman at all inches,
So brave a mingled temper saw I never.
Ar.
Why are ye sad sir? how would this have griev'd you,
If ye had falne under a profest enemie?
Under one had taken vantage of your shame too?
Pray ye be at peace, I am so far from wronging ye,
Or glorying in the pride of such a victorie,
That I desire to serve ye, pray look cheerfully.
Py.
Doe you heare this sir? this love sir? do you see this Gentleman
How he courts ye? why doe you hold your head downe?
'Tis no high treason I take it, to be equal'd,
To have a slip i'th' field, no sinne that's mortall;
Come, come, thanke fortune and your friend.
Ar.
It may be
You thinke my tongue may prove your enemie;
And though restrain'd sometimes, out of a braverie
May take a license to disable ye:
Beleeve me sir, so much I hate that libertie,
That in a strangers tongue 'twill prove an injurie,
And I shall right you in't.
Py.
Can you have more Unckle?
Ru.
Sir you have beate me both wayes, yet so nobly,
That I shall ever love the hand that did it:
Fortune may make me worthie of some title
That may be neere your friend.
Ar.
Sir I must leave ye,
But with so hearty love, and pray be confident,
Ex. Arm. & Em.
I carry nothing from this place shall wrong ye.
Py.
Come, come, you are right agen, sir love your honor,
And love your friend, take heed of bloudy purposes,
And unjust ends, good heaven is angry with 'm;
Make your faire vertues, and your fame your mistres,
And let these trinkets goe.
Ru.
You teach well nephew,
Now to be honorable even with this Gentleman,
Shall be my businesse, and my ends his.
Enter Governor and King.
Gov.
Sir, sir, you must doe something suddenly,
To stop his pride so great and high, he is shot up,
Upon his person too, your state is sunke else:
You must not stand now upon termes of gratitude,
And let a simple tendernesse besot ye:
I'le bring ye suddenly where you shall see him,
Attempting your brave sister privately;
Marke but his high behaviour then.
Kin.
I will Father.
Gov.
And with scorne, I feare contempt too.
Kin.
I hope not.
Gov.
I will not name a lust;
It may be that also;
A little force must be applyed upon him,
Now now applyed, a little force to humble him.
These sweet intreaties doe but make him wanton.
Kin.
Take heed ye wrong him not.
Gov.
Take heed to your safety,
I but forewarne ye King; if you mistrust me,
Or thinke I come unsent—
Kin.
No I'le goe with you.
Exeunt.
Enter Armusia, Quisara.
Arm.
Madam, you see there's nothing I can reach at,
Either in my obedience, or my service,
That May deserve your love, or win a liking,
But a poore thought, but I pursue it seriously,
Take pleasure in your wils, even in your anger,
Which other men would grudge at, and grow stormy;
I study new humility to please ye.
And take a kind of joy in my afflictions,
Because they come from ye, I love my sorrowes:
Pray Madam but consider—
Quisar.
Yes, I do sir,
And to that honest end I drew ye hether;
I know ye have deserv'd as much as man can,
And know it is a justice to requite you:
I know ye love.
Arm.
If ever love was mortall,
And dwelt in man, and for that love command me,
So strong I find it, and so true, here Lady,
Something of such a greatnesse to allow me,
Those things I have done already, may seem foyles too:
'Tis equity that man aspires to heaven,
Should win it by his worth, and not sleepe to it.
Enter Governour, and King.
Gov.
Now stand close King and heare, and as you find him,
Beleeve me right, or let religion suffer.
Quisar.
I dare beleeve your worth without additions;
But since you are so liberall of your love sir,
And wou'd be farther tried, I do intend it,
Because you shall not, or you wou'd not win me
At such an easie rate.
Arm.
I am prepared still,
And if I shrinke—
Quisar.
I know ye are no coward,
This is the utmost triall of your constancy,
And if you stand fast now, I am yours, your wife sir;
You hold there's nothing deare that may atchieve me,
Doubted or dangerous.
Arm.
There's nothing, nothing:
Let me but know, that I may straight flie to it.
Quisar.
I'le tell you then, change your religion,
And be of one beleefe with me.
Arm.
How?
Quisar.
Marke,
Worship our Gods, renounce that faith you are bred in;
'Tis easily done, I'le teach ye suddenly;
And humbly on your knees—
Arm.
Ha? I'le be hang'd first.
Quisar.
Offer as we do.
Arm.
To the Devill Lady?
Offer to him I hate? I know the devill,
To dogs and cuts? you make offer to them;
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How terribly I shake? Is this the venture?
The tryall that you talkt off? where have I bin?
And how forgot my selfe? how lost my memorie?
When did I pray or looke up stedfastly?
Had any goodnes in my heart to guide me?
That I should give this vantage to mine enemie;
The enemie to my peace, forsake my faith.
Quisar.
Come, come, I know ye love me.
Ar.
Love ye this way?
This most destroying way? sure you but jest Lady.
Quis.
My love and life are one way.
Ar.
Love alone then, and mine another way,
I'le love diseases first,
Doate on a villaine that would cut my throat,
Wooe all afflictions of all sorts, kisse crueltie;
Have mercy heaven, how have I been wandring?
Wandring the way of lust, and left my maker?
How have I slept like Corke upon a water,
And had no feeling of the storme that tost me?
Trod the blinde paths of death? forsooke assurance,
Eternitie of blessednesse for a woman?
For a young hansome face hazard my being?
Quis.
Are not our powers eternall so their comforts?
As great and full of hopes as yours?
Ar.
They are puppits.
Gov.
Now marke him sir, and but observe him nearly,
Ar.
Their comforts like themselves, cold senseles outsides;
You make 'em sicke, as we are, peevish, mad,
Subject to age; and how can they cure us,
That are not able to refine themselves?
Quis.
The Sun & Moon we worship, those are heavenly,
And their bright influences we beleeve.
Ar.
Away foole,
I adore the Maker of that Sun and Moone,
That gives those bodies light and influence,
That pointed out their paths, and taught their motions;
They are not so great as we, they are our servants,
Plac'd there to teach us time, to give us knowledge
Of when and how the swellings of the maine aire,
And their returnes agen; they are but our stewards
To make the earth fat with their influence,
That she may bring forth her increase and feed us.
Shall I fall from this faith to please a woman?
For her embraces bring my soule to ruine?
I lookd you should have said, make me a Christian,
Worke that great cure, for 'tis a great one woman;
That labour truly doe performe, that venture
The crowne of all great triall, and the fairest:
I lookd ye should have wept and kneel'd to beg it,
Washt off your mist of ignorance, with waters
Pure and repentant, from those eyes; I lookt
You should have brought me your chief god ye worship,
He that you offer humane bloud and life to,
And made a sacrifice of him to memorie,
Beat downe his Altars, ruin'd his false Temples.
Gov.
Now you may see.
Quis.
Take heed, you goe too far sir,
And yet I love to heare him; I must have ye,
And to that end I let you storme a little;
I know there must be some strife in your bosome
To coole and quiet ye, ere you can come backe:
I know old friends cannot part suddenly,
There wil be some let still, yet I must have ye,
Have ye of my faith too, and so injoy ye.
Arm.
Now I contemne ye, and I hate my selfe
For looking on that face lasciviously,
And it lookes ugly now methinkes.
Quisar.
How Portugall?
Ar.
It lookes like death it selfe, to which 'twou'd lead me;
Your eyes resemble pale dispaire, they fright me,
And in their rounds a thousand horrid ruines,
Methinkes I see; and in your tongue heare fearefully
The hideous murmurs of weake soules have suffer'd;
Get from me, I despise ye, and know woman,
That for all this trap you have laid to catch my life in,
To catch my immortall life, I hate and curse ye,
Contemne your deities, spurne at their powers,
And where I meet your maumet Gods, I'le swing 'em
Thus o're my head, and kick 'em into puddles,
Nay I will out of vengeance search your Temples,
And with those hearts that serve my God, demolish
Your shambles of wild worships.
Gov.
Now, now you heare sir.
Arm.
I will have my faith since you are so crafty,
The glorious crosse, although I love your brother;
Let him frowne too, I will have my devotion,
And let your whole State storme.
Kin.
Enter and take him;
I am sorry friend that I am forc'd to do this.
Gov.
Be sure you bind him fast.
Quisar.
But use him nobly.
King.
Had it to me been done, I had forgiven it,
And still preserv'd you faire, but to our Gods sir—
Quisar.
Methinkes I hate 'em now,
Kin.
To our Religion,
To these to be thus stubborne, thus rebellious
To threaten them.
Arm.
Use all your violence,
I aske no mercy, nor repent my words;
I spit at your best powers; I serve one,
Will give me strength to scourge your gods.
Gov.
Away with him.
Arm.
To grind 'em into base dust, and disperse 'em,
That never more their bloudy memories—
Gov.
Clap him close up.
Kin.
Good friend be cooler.
Arm.
Never;
Your painted sister I despise too.
King.
Softly.
Arm.
And all her devillish arts laugh and scorne at,
Mocke her blind purposes.
King.
You must be temperate;
Offer him no violence I command you strictly.
Gov.
Now thou art up I shall have time to speake too.
Quis.
Oh how I love this man, how truly honour him.
Exeunt.
| The Island Princesse | |