 | The Island Princesse |  |
Actus Quintus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Christophero, and Pedro (at one doore) Emanuel. and Soza, (at another.)Chr.
Ddo you know the newes Gentlemen?
Em.
Wou'd we knew as well sir
How to prevent it.
Soz.
Is this the love they beare us,
For our late benefit? taken so maliciously,
And clapt up close? is that the thankes they render?
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It must not be put up thus, smother'd sleightly,
'Tis such a base unnaturall wrong.
Ped.
I know,
They may thinke to doe wonders, aime at all,
And to blow us with a vengeance out o'th' Islands:
But if we be our selves honest and resolute,
And continue but Masters of our ancient courages,
Sticke close and give no vantage to their villanies—
Soz.
Nay if we faint or fall apeeces now,
We are fooles and worthy to be markt for miserie;
Begin to strike at him they are all bound to?
To cancell his deserts? what must we looke for
If they can carry this?
Em.
I'le carry coales then;
I have but one life, and one fortune Gentlemen,
But I'le so husband it to vexe these rascalls,
These barbarous slaves.
Ch.
Shall we goe charge 'em presently?
Soz.
No that will be too weake, and too foole-hardy,
We must have grounds that promise safety friends,
And sure offence, we loose our angers else,
And worse then that, venture our lives too lightly.
Enter Pyniero.
Py.
Did you see mine Uncle? plague 'a these Barbarians,
How the rogues sticke in my teeth, I know ye are angry,
So I am too, monstrous angry Gentlemen,
I am angry that I choke agen.
You heare Armusias up, honest Arm:
Clapt up in prison friends, the brave Arm:
Here are fine boyes.
Em.
We hope he shall not stay there.
Py.
Stay? no he must not stay, no talke of staying,
These are no times to stay; are not these Rascals?
Speake, I beseech ye speake, are they not Rogues?
Thinke some abominable names—are they not Devils?
But the devil's a great deale too good for 'em—fusty villaines.
Ch.
They are a kind of hounds.
Py.
Hounds were their fathers,
Old blear-eyed bob-tail'd hounds—Lord where's my Unckle?
Soz.
But what shall be done sir?
Py.
Done?
Soz.
Yes to relieve him;
If it be not sudden they may take his life too.
Py.
They dare as soone take fire and swallow it,
Take stakes and thrust into their tailes for glisters:
His life, why 'tis a thing worth all the Islands,
And they know will be rated at that value;
His very imprisonment will make the Town stinch,
And shake and stinke, I have phisick in my hand for 'em
Shall give the goblins such a purge—
Enter Ruy Dias.
Ped.
Your Uncle.
Ru.
I heare strange newes, and have bin seeking ye;
They say Armusia's prisoner.
Py.
'Tis most certaine.
Ru.
Upon what cause?
Py.
He has deserv'd too much sir;
The old heathen policie has light upon him,
And paid him home.
Ru.
A most unnoble dealing.
Py.
You are the next if you can carry it tamely,
He has deserved of all.
Ru.
I must confesse it,
Of me so nobly too.
Py.
I am glad to heare it,
You have a time now to make good your confession,
Your faith will shew but cold else, and for fashion,
Now to redeeme all, now to thanke his courtesie,
Now to make those beleeve that held you backward,
And an ill instrument, you are a Gentleman,
An honest man, and you dare love your Nation,
Dare sticke to vertue though she be opprest,
And for her owne faire sake step to her Rescue:
If you live ages sir, and lose this houre,
Not now redeeme, and vindicate your honour,
Your life will be a murmure, and no man in't.
Ru.
I thanke ye nephew, come along with me Gentlemen,
Wee'l make 'em dancing sport immediately:
We are Masters of the Port yet, we shall see
What that can doe.
Py.
Let it but spit fire sinely,
And play their turrets, and their painted Palaces,
A frisking round or two, that they may trip it,
And caper in the aire.
Ru.
Come, wee'l doe something
Shall make 'em looke about, wee'l send 'em plumbes
If they be not too hard for their teeth.
Py.
And fine Potatoes
Roasted in gunpowder, such a banquet sir
Will prepare their unmannerly stomacks.
Ru.
They shall see
There is no safe retreat in villanie;
Come be high hearted all.
Omnes.
We are all on fire sir.
Exeunt.
Enter King and Governor.
Kin.
I am ungratefull, and a wretch, perswade me not,
Forgetfull of the mercy he show'd me,
The timely noble pitty—why should I
See him fast bound and fetter'd, whose true curtesie,
Whose manhood, and whose mighty hand set me free?
Why should it come from me? why I command this?
Shall not all tongues and truths call me unthankfull?
Gov.
Had the offence bin thrown on you, 'tis certaine
It had been in your power, and your discretion
To have turn'd it into mercy, and forgiven it,
And then it had show'd a vertuous point of gratitude,
Timely and nobly taken; but since the cause
Concernes the honour of our gods, and their title,
And so transcends your power, and your compassion,
A little your owne safety if you saw it too,
If your too fond indulgence did not dazle you,
It cannot now admit a private pitty;
'Tis in their wils, their mercies, or revenges,
And these revolts in you shew meere rebellious.
Kin.
They are milde and pittifull.
Gov.
To those repent.
Kin.
Their nature's soft and tender.
Gov.
To true hearts
That feele compunction for their trespasses:
This man defies 'em still, threatens destruction
And demolition of their armes and worship,
Spits at their powers; take heed ye be not found sir,
And markt a favourer of their dishonour;
They use no common justice.
Kin.
What shall I doe
To deserve of this man—
Gov.
If ye more bemoane him,
Or mitigate your power to preserve him,
I'le curse ye from the gods, call up their vengeance,
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And fling it on your Land and you, I have charge for't;
I hope to wracke you all.
King.
What ailes my sister?
Why is she bound? why looks she so distractedly?
Who does doe this?
Quisan.
We did it, pardon sir,
And for her preservation—She is growne wilde,
And raving on the strangers love and honour,
Sometimes crying out, help, help, they will torture him,
They will take his life, they will murder him, presently,
If we had not prevented, violently
Have laid hands on her owne life.
Go.
These are tokens
The gods displeasure is gone out, be quicke,
And ere it fall doe something to appease 'em,
You know the sacrifice—I am glad it works thus.
Quisar.
How low and base thou lookst now that wert noble?
No figure of a King methinks showes on you,
No face of Majestie, foule swarth ingratitude
Has taken off thy sweetnesse, base forgetfulnesse
Of mighty benefits, has turned thee Devill:
Thou hast persecuted goodnes, innocence,
And laid a hard and violent hand on vertue,
On that faire vertue that should teach and guide us;
Thou hast wrong'd thine owne preserver, whose least merit
Pois'd with thy maine estate, thou canst not satisfie,
Nay put thy life in too, 'twill be too light still:
What hast thou done?
Gov.
Goe for him presently,
And once more wee'l try if we can win him fairely:
If not, let nothing she sayes hinder ye, or stir ye;
She speaks distractedly—Do that the gods command ye:
Doe you know what ye say Lady?
Quisar.
I could curse thee too,
Religion and severitie has steel'd thee,
Has turnd thy heart to stone; thou hast made the gods hard too,
Against their sweet and patient natures, cruell:
None of ye feele what braverie ye tread on?
What innocence? what beauty?
Kin.
Pray be patient.
Quisar.
What honorable things ye cast behind ye?
What monuments of man?
Enter Armusia and Guard.
Kin.
Once more Armusia,
Because I love ye tenderly and dearly,
And would be glad to win ye mine, I wish ye,
Even from my heart I wish and wooe ye—
Ar.
What sir,
Take heed how ye perswade me falsely, then ye hate me;
Take heed how ye intrap me.
Kin.
I advise ye,
And tenderly and truly I advise ye,
Both for your soules health and your safetie.
Ar.
Stay,
And name my soule no more, she is too precious,
Too glorious for your flatteries, too secure too.
Go.
Consider the reward sir, and the honor
That is prepared, the glory you shall grow to.
Ar.
They are not to be consider'd in these cases,
Not to be nam'd when soules are questioned;
They are vaine and flying vapors—touch my life,
'Tis ready for ye, put it to what test
It shall please ye, I am patient; but for the rest
You may remove rocks with your little fingers,
Or blow a mountaine out o'th' way, with bellowes,
As soon as stir my faith; use no more arguments.
Gov.
We must use tortures then.
Arm.
Your worst and paineful'st
I am joyfull to accept.
Gov.
You must the sharpest,
For such has been your hate against our deities
Delivered openly, your threats and scornings,
And either your repentance must be mighty,
Which is your free conversion to our customes,
Or equall punishment, which is your life sir.
Arm.
I am glad I have it for ye, take it Priest,
And all the miseries that shall attend it:
Let the Gods glut themselves with Christian bloud,
It will be ask'd againe, and so far followed,
So far reveng'd, and with such holy justice,
Your Gods of gold shall melt and sinke before it;
Your Altars, and your Temples shake to nothing;
And you false worshippers, blind fooles of ceremony,
Shall seeke for, holes to hide your heads, and feares in,
For seas to swallow you from this destruction,
Darkenesse to dwell about ye, and conceale ye,
Your mothers wombes agen—
Gov.
Make the fires ready,
And bring the severall tortures out.
Quisar.
Stand fast sir,
And feare 'em not, you that have stept so nobly
Into this pious triall start not now,
Keepe on your way, a virgin will assist ye,
A virgin won by your faire constancy,
And glorying that she is won so, will dye by ye;
I have touch'd ye every way, tried ye most honest,
Perfect, and good, chaste, blushing chaste, and temperate,
Valiant, without vaine glory, modest, stayed,
No rage, or light affection ruling in you:
Indeed, the perfect schoole of worth I find ye,
The temple of true honour.
Arm.
Whether will she?
What do you infer by this faire argument Lady?
Quisar.
Your faith, and your religion must be like ye,
They that can shew you these, must be pure mirrours,
When the streames flow cleare and faire, what are the fountaines?
I do embrace your faith sir, and your fortune;
Go one, I will assist ye, I feele a sparkle here,
A lively sparke that kindles my affection,
And tels me it will rise to flames of glory:
Let 'em put on their angers, suffer nobly,
Shew me the way, and when I faint instruct me;
And if I follow not—
Arm.
O blessed Lady,
Since thou art won, let me begin my triumph,
Come clap your terrors on.
Quisar.
All your fell tortures.
For there is nothing he shall suffer brother,
I sweare by new faith which is most sacred,
And I will keepe it so but I will follow in,
And follow to a scruple of affliction,
In spight of all your Gods without prevention.
Gov.
Death she amazes me.
King.
What shall be done now?
Go.
They must dye both,
And suddenly, they will corrupt all else;
This woman makes me weary of my mischiefe,
She shakes me, and she staggers me, go in sir,
I'le see the execution.
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Not so suddaine:
If they goe all my friends and sisters perish.
Gov.
Wou'd I were safe at home agen.
Enter Messenger.
Mes.
Arme, arme sir,
Seek for defence, the Castle playes and thunders,
The Towne Rocks, and the houses flye ith' aire,
The people dye for feare—Captaine Ruy Dias,
Has made an Oath he will not leave a stone here;
No not the memory, here has stood a City,
Unlesse Armusia be deliver'd fairely.
Kin.
I have my feares: what can our gods do now for us?
Gov.
Be patient, But keep him still: he is a cure sir
Against both rage and Cannon: goe and fortifie,
Call in the Princesse, make the Pallace sure,
And let 'em know you are a King: look nobly;
And take your courage to ye; keep close the prisoner,
And under command, we are betray'd else.
Ar.
How ioyfully I goe?
Quisar.
Take my heart with thee.
Gov.
I hold a Wolfe by the eare now:
Fortune free me.
Exeunt.
Enter foure Townes-men.
1.
Heaven blesse us,
What a thundring's here? what fire-spitting?
We cannot drinke, but our Cans are mald amongst us.
2.
I wou'd they would mall our skores too:
Shame o'their Guns, I thought they had been bird-pots,
Or great Candlecases, how devilishly they bounce.
And how the Bullets borrow a piece of a house here,
There another, and mend those up agen.
With another parish; here flyes a poudring-tub,
The meat ready roasted & there a barrel pissing vinegar,
And they two over-taking the top of a high Steeple,
Newly slic'd off for a sallet.
3.
A vengeance fire 'em.
2.
Nay they fire fast enough;
You need not help 'em.
4.
Are these the Portugall Bulls—
How loud they bellow?
2.
Their horns are plaguie strong, they push down Pallaces
They tosse our little habitations like whelps,
Like grindle-tailes, with their heeles upward;
All the windowes ith' town dance a new trench-more,
'Tis like to prove a blessed age for Glasiers,
I met a hand, and a Letter in't in great haste,
And by and by a single leg running after it,
As if the Arme had forgot part of his arrant,
Heads flie like foot-balls every where.
1.
What shall we doe?
2.
I care not, my shop's cancell'd,
And all the Pots and earthen pans in't vanish't:
There was a single Bullet and they together by the eares;
You would have thought Tom Tumbler had been there,
And all his troop of devills.
3.
Let's to the King,
And get this gentleman deliver'd handsomely;
By this hand there's no walking above ground else.
2.
By this leg—Let me sweare nimbly by it,
For I know not how long I shall owe it,
If I were out oth' Towne once, if I came in agen to
Fetch my breakfast, I will give 'em leave to cram me
With a Portugall pudding: Come, let's doe any thing
To appease this thunder,
Exeunt.
Enter Pyniero, and Panura.
Pyn.
Art sure it was that blinde priest?
Pan.
Yes most certaine,
He has provok't all this; the King is mercifull,
And wondrous loving; but he fires him on still,
And when he cooles enrages him, I know it,
Threatens new vengeance, and the gods fierce justice
When he but looks with faire eyes on Armusia,
Will lend him no time to relent; my royall Mistris,
She has entertain'd a Christian hope.
Py.
Speake truely.
Pan.
Nay 'tis most true, but Lord, how he lies at her,
And threatens her, and flatters her, and dams her,
And I feare, if not speedily prevented,
If she continue stout, both shall be executed.
Py.
Ile kisse thee for this newes: nay more Panura,
If thou wilt give me leave, Ile get thee with Christian,
The best way to convert thee.
Pan.
Make me believe so.
Py.
I will y'faith. But which way cam'st thou hither?
The Pallace is close guarded, and barricado'd.
Pan.
I came through a private vault, which few there know of;
It rises in a Temple not farre hence,
Close by the Castle here.
Py.
How—To what end?
Pan.
A good one:
To give ye knowledge of my new-borne Mistris,
And in what doubt Armusia stands,
Thinke any present meanes, or hope to stop 'em
From their fell ends: the Princes are come in too,
And they are hardn'd also.
Py.
The damn'd Priest—
Pa.
Sure he's a cruell man, methinks Religion
Should teach more temperate lessons.
Py.
He the fire-brand?
He dare to touch at such faire lives as theirs are?
Well Prophet, I shall prophesie, I shall catch ye,
When all your Prophecies will not redeem yee?
Wilt thou doe one thing bravely?
Pa.
Any good I am able.
Py.
And by thine owne white hand Ile sweare thou art vertuous,
And a brave wench, durst thou but guide me presently
Through the same vault thou cam'st into the Pallace,
And those I shall appoynt, such as I thinke sit.
Pa.
Yes, I will doe it, and suddenly, and truely.
Py.
I wou'd faine behold this Prophet.
Pa.
Now I have yee;
And shall bring yee where ye shall behold him,
Alone too, and unfurnish'd of defences:
That shall be my care; but you must not betray me.
Py.
Dost thou think we are so base? such slaves, rogues?
Pa.
I doe not:
And you shall see how fairely Ile worke for ye.
Py.
I must needs steale that Priest,
Steale him, and hang him.
Pa.
Do any thing to remove his mischiefe, strangle him—
Py.
Come prethee love.
Pa.
You'll offer me no foule play?
The Vault is darke.
Py.
'Twas well remember'd.
Pa.
And ye may—
But I hold ye honest.
Py.
Honest enough, I warrant thee.
Pa.
I am but a poore weak wench; and what with the place.
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You know we are often cozn'd.
Py.
If thou dost feare me,
Why dost thou put me in minde?
Pa.
To let you know sir,
Though it be in your power, and things sitting to it,
Yet a true gent—
Py.
I know what hee'll doe:
Come and remember me, and Ile answer thee,
Ile answer thee to the full; wee'll call at th'Castle,
And then my good guide do thy will; sha't finde me
A very tractable man.
Pa.
I hope I shall sir.
Exeunt.
Enter Bakam, Syana, and Souldiers,
Bak.
Let my men guard the gates.
Syan.
And mine the Temple,
For feare the honour of our gods should suffer,
And on your lives be watchfull.
Ba.
And be valiant;
And let's see, if these Portugalls dare enter;
What their high hearts dare doe: Let's see how readily,
The great Ruy Dias will redeem his Countrey-men;
He speaks proud words, and threatens.
Sy.
He is approv'd sir,
And will put faire for what he promises;
I could wish friendlier termes,
Yet for our Liberties, and for our gods,
We are bound in our best service
Even in the hazard of our lives.
Enter the King above.
Kin.
Come up Princes,
And give your counsells, and your helpes, the Fort still
Playes fearfully upon us, beats our buildings,
And turnes our people wild with feares.
Ba.
Send for the prisoner,
And give us leave to argue.
Exit Ba. and Sy. Then,
Enter Ruy Dyas, Emanuel, Christoph, Pedro, with Sould.
Ru.
Come on nobly,
And let the Fort play still, we are
Strong enough to look upon 'em,
And returne at pleasure; it may
Be on our view they will returne him.
Chr.
We will returne 'em such thanks else,
Shall make 'im scratch where it itches not.
Em.
How the people stare,
And some cry, some pray, and some curse heartily:
But it is the King—
Enter Syana, Bakam, Quisara, Armusia, with Souldiers above.
Ruy.
I cannot blame their wisedomes,
They are all above, Armusia chain'd and bound too?
O these are thankfull Squiers.
Ba.
Heare us Ruy Dias,
Be wise and heare us, and give speedy answer,
Command thy Cannon presently to cease,
No more to trouble the afflicted People,
Or suddenly Armusias head goes off,
As suddenly as seeaid.
Em.
Stay Sir, be moderate.
Arm.
Doe nothing that's dishonourable Ruy Dyas,
Let not the feare of me master thy valour;
Pursue 'em still, they are base malitious people.
Kin.
Friend be not desperate.
Ar.
I scorne your courtesies;
Strike when you dare, a faire arme guide the Gunner,
And may he let flye still with fortune: friend,
Doe me the honour of a souldiers funeralls,
The last faire Christian right, see me ith' ground,
And let the pallace burne first, then the Temples,
And on their scorn'd gods erect my monument:
Touch not the Princesse, as you are a souldier.
Quisar.
Which way you go, sir,
I must follow necessary.
One life, and one death.
Kin.
Will you take a truce yet?
Enter Pyniero, Soza, and Souldiers with the Governour.
Py.
No, no, goe on:
Look here your god, your Prophet.
King.
How came he taken?
Py.
I Conjur'd for him King.
I am sure Curre at an old blinde Prophet.
Ile haunt ye such a false knave admirably,
A terrier I; I eartht him, and then snapt him;
Soz.
Saving the reverence of your grace, we stole him
E'ne out of the next chamber to yee.
Py.
Come, come, begin King,
Begin this bloudy matter when you dare;
And yet I scorne my sword should touch the rascall,
Ile teare him thus before ye. Ha!
What art thou?
Pulls his Beard and haire off.
King.
How's this!
Art thou a Prophet?
Ru.
Come downe Princes.
Kin.
VVe are abus'd—
Oh my most deare Armusia—
Off which his chaines. And now my noble sister,
Rejoyce with me, I know yee are pleas'd as I am.
Py.
This is a pretious Prophet. Why Don Governour,
What make you here? how long have you taken orders?
Ruy.
VVhy what a wretch
Art thou to work this mischiefe?
To assume this holy shape to ruine honour,
Honour and chastity?
Enter King, and all from above.
Gov.
I had paid you all,
But fortune plaid the slut. Come,
Give me my doome.
King.
I cannot speak for wonder.
Gov.
Nay, 'tis I sir,
And here I stay your sentence.
King.
Take her friend,
You have halfe perswaded me to be a Christian,
And with her all the joyes, and all the blessings.
VVhy what dreame have we dwelt in?
Ru.
All peace to yee,
And all the happinesse of heart dwell with ye,
Children as sweet and noble as their Parents.
Py.
And Kings at least.
Ar.
Good Sir forget my rashnesse.
And noble Princesse, for I was once angrie,
And out of that might utter some distemper,
Think not 'tis my nature.
Sya.
Your joy is ours sir,
And nothing we finde in ye, But most noble.
King.
To prison with this dog, there let him houle,
And if he can repent, sigh out his villanies:
His Island we shall seize into our hands,
119
And kept it by oppression; the Towne and Castle,
In which I lay my selfe most miserable,
Till my most honourable friend redeem'd me,
Signeur Pyniero I bestow on you,
The rest of next command upon these gentlemen,
Upon ye all my love.
Arm.
O brave Ruy Dias,
You have started now beyond me. I must thank ye,
And thank ye for my life, my wife and honour.
Ruy.
I am glad I had her for you sir.
King.
Come Princes,
Come friends and lovers all, come noble gentlemen,
No more guns now, nor hates but joyes and triumphes,
An universall gladnesse flye about us:
And know however subtil men dare cast,
And promise wrack, the gods give peace at last.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
| The Island Princesse | |