 | The Island Princesse |  |
Actus primus.
Scæna prima.
A Bell Rings.Enter Pymero, Christophero, and Pedro.
Pymero.
Open the Ports, and see the watch reliev'd,
And let the guards be careful of their busines
Their vigilant eyes fixt on these Islanders,
They are false and desperate people, when they find
The least occasion open to encouragement,
Cruell, and crafty soules, beleeve me Gentlemen,
Their late attempt, which is too fresh amongst us,
In which against all armes, and honesty,
The Governour of Ternata made surprize.
Of our confederate, the King of Tidore,
As for his recreation he was rowing
Betweene both Lands, bids us be wise and circumspect.
Chr.
It was a mischiefe suddenly imagin'd,
And as soone done; that Governour's a feirce knave,
Unfaithfull as he is feirce too, there's no trusting;
But I wonder much how such poore and base pleasures,
As tugging at an oare, or skill in steerage,
Should become Princes.
Py.
Base breeding love base pleasure;
They take as much delight in a Baratto,
A little scurvy boate to row her tithly,
And have the art to turne and wind her nimbly,
Thinke is as noble too, though it be slavish,
And a dull labour that declines a Gentleman:
As we Portugalls, or the Spaniards do in riding,
In managing a great horse which is princely:
The French in Courtship, or the dancing English,
In carrying a faire presence.
Ped.
He was strangely taken;
But where no faith is, there's no trust; he has paid for't
His sister yet the faire and great Quisara,
Has shewd a noble mind, and much love in't
To her afflicted brother, and the nobler still it appeares,
And seasons of more tendernes, because his ruine stiles her absolute
And his imprisonment adds to her profit.
Feeling all this, which makes all men admire her.
The warme beames of this fortune that fall on her,
Yet has she made diverse and noble treaties,
And propositions for her brothers freedome,
If wealth or honour—
Py.
Peace, peace, you are fool'd sir;
Things of these natures have strange outsides Pedro,
And cunning shadowes, set 'em far from us,
Draw 'em but neare, they are grosse, and they abuse us;
They that observe her close, shall find her nature,
Which I doubt mainly will not prove so excellent;
She is a Princesse, and she must be faire,
That's the prerogative of being royall:
Let her want eyes and nose, she must be beautious,
And she must know it too, and the use of it,
And people must beleeve it, they are dam'd else:
Why, all the neighbour Princes, are mad for her,
Chr.
Is she not faire then?
Py.
But her hopes are fairer,
And there's a haughty Master, the King of Bakan,
That lofty sir, that speakes far more and louder
In his own commendations then a Cannon:
He is strucken dumbe with her.
Ped.
Beshrew me she is a sweet one.
Py.
And there's that hopefull man of Syana,
That spritely fellow, he that's wise and temperate,
He is a lover too.
Chr.
Wou'd I were worth her looking
For; by my life I hold her a compleate one,
The very Sun I thinke, affects her sweetnesse,
And dares not as he does to all else, dye it
Into his tauny Livery.
Py.
She dares not see him,
But keepes her selfe at distance from his kisses,
And weares her complexion in a case; let him but like it
A week or two, or three, she would looke like a Lion;
But the maine sport on't is, or rather wonder
The Governour of Ternata her mortall enemie,
He that has catcht her brother King is strooke too,
And is arriv'd under safe conduct also,
And hostages of worth delivered for him;
And he brought a letter from his prisoner,
Whether compel'd, or willingly delivered
From the poore King, or what else dare be in't.
Chr.
So it be honourable, any thing, 'tis all one,
For I dare thinke she'l do the best.
Py.
'Tis certaine
He has admittance, and sollicites hourely,
Now if he have the tricke—
Ped.
What trick?
Py.
The true one,
To take her too, if he but skil'd in bat-fowling,
And lime his bush right.
Chr.
I'le be hang'd when that hits,
For 'tis not a compel'd, or forc'd affection,
That must take her, I guesse her stout and vertuous,
But where's your unckle sir, our valiant Captaine,
The brave Ruy Dias all this while?
Py.
I marry,
He is amongst 'em too.
Ped.
A Lover.
Py.
Nay,
I know not that, but sure he stands in favour,
Or wou'd stand stifly, he is no Portugall else.
Chr.
The voyce says in good favour, in the list too
96
I have observ'd him, and how privately
He has stolne at all houres from us, and how readily
He has feign'd a businesse to bid the Fort farewell
For five or sixe daies, or a month together,
Sure there is something—
Py.
Yes, yes, there is a thing in't,
A thing would make the best on's all dance after it;
A dainty thing; Lord how this unckle of mine
Has read to me, and rated me for wenching,
And told me in what desperate case 'twould leave me,
And how 'twould stew my bones.
Ped.
You car'd not for it.
Py.
Ifaith, not much, I ventur'd on still easily,
And tooke my chance, danger is a Souldiers honour;
But that this man, this herbe of Grace, Ruy Dias,
This father of our faculties should slip thus,
For sure he is a ferriting, that he
That would drinke nothing to depresse the spirit,
But milke and water, eate nothing but thin ayre
To make his bloud obedient, that his youth
In spight of all his temperance, should tickle,
And have a love mange on him.
Chr.
'Tis in him sir
But honourable courtship, and becomes his ranke too.
Py.
In me 'twere abominable Lecherie, or would be,
For when our thoughts are on't, and misse their levell,
We must hit something.
Ped.
Well, 'is a noble Gentleman,
And if he be a suitor, may he speed in't.
Py.
Let him alone, our family ne're fail'd yet.
Chr.
Our mad Lieutenant still merry Pyniero,
Thus wou'd he do if the Surgeon were searching of him.
Ped.
Especially if a warme wench had shot him.
Py.
But harke Christophero; come hether Pedro;
When saw you our brave countryman Armusia?
He that's arriv'd here lately, and his gallants?
A goodly fellow, and a brave companion
Me thinkes he is, and no doubt truly valiant,
For he that dares come hether, dares fight any where.
Chr.
I saw him not of late, a sober Gentleman
I am sure he is, and no doubt bravely sprung,
And promises much noblenesse.
Py.
I love him,
And by my troath wou'd faine be inward with him;
Pray lets go seeke him.
Ped.
Wee'l attend you sir.
Py.
By that time we shal heare the burst of businesse.
Ex.
Enter Ruy Dias, Quisara, Quisana, and Panura.
Quisar.
Aunt I much thanke you for your curtesie,
And the faire liberty you still allow me,
Both of your house and service, though I be
A Princesse, and by that Prerogative stand free
From the poore malice of opinion,
And no waies bound to render up my actions,
Because no power above me can examine me;
Yet my deare brother being still a prisoner,
And many wandring eyes upon my waies,
Being left alone a Sea-marke, it behoves me
To use a little caution, and be circumspect.
Quisan.
You'r wise and noble Lady.
Quisar.
Often Aunt
I resort hether, and privately to see you,
It may be to converse with some I favour;
I wou'd not have it knowne as oft, nor constru'd,
It stands not with my care.
Quisan.
You speake most fairely,
For even our pure devotions are examin'd.
Quisar.
So mad are mens minds now.
Ruy.
Or rather monstrous;
They are thick dreams, bread in foggs that know no fairnesse.
Quisan.
Madam the house is yours, I am yours, pray use me,
And at your service all I have lyes prostrate;
My care shall ever be to yeild ye honour,
And when your fame fals here, 'tis my fault Lady;
A poore and simple banquet I have provided,
Which if you please to honour with your presence—
Quisar.
I thanke ye Aunt, I shall be with you instantly,
A few words with this Gentleman.
Quisan.
I'le leave ye,
Exeunt. Quis. & Pan.
And when you please retire, I'le wait upon you.
Quisar.
Why, how now Captaine, what affraid to speak to me?
A man of armes, and danted with a Lady?
Commanders have the power to parle with Princes.
Ruy.
Madam, the favours you have still showr'd on me,
Which are so high above my meanes of merit,
So infinite, that nought can value 'em
But their owne goodnesse, no eyes looke up to 'em
But those that are of equall light, and lustre,
Strike me thus mute, you are my royall Mistris,
And all my services that aime at honour,
Take life from you, the Saint of my devotions;
Pardon my wish, it is a faire ambition,
And well becomes the man that honours you;
I wou'd I were of worth, of something neare you,
Of such a royall peece, a King I wou'd be,
A mighty King that might command affection,
And bring a youth upon me might bewitch ye,
And you a sweet sould Christian.
Quisar.
Now you talke sir;
You Portugals, though you be rugged Souldiers,
Yet when you list to flatter, you are plaine courtiers;
And could you wish me Christian brave Ruy Dias?
Ruy.
At all the danger of my life great Lady,
At all my hopes, at all—
Quisar.
Pray ye stay a little,
To what end runs your wish?
Ruy.
O glorious Lady,
That I might—but I dare not speake.
Quisar,
I dare then,
That you might hope to marry me; nay blush not,
An honourable end needs no excuse;
And would you love me then?
Ruy.
My soule not dearer.
Quisar.
Do some brave thing that may entice me that way,
Some thing of such a meritorious goodnesse,
Of such an unmatcht noblenesse, that I may know
You have a power beyond ours that preserves you,
'Tis not the person, nor the royall title,
Nor wealth, nor glory that I looke upon,
That inward man I love that's lin'd with vertue,
That well deserving soule workes out a favour;
I have many Princes suiters, many great ones,
Yet above these I love you, you are valiant,
An active man, able to build a fortune;
I do not say I dote, nor meane to marry,
Only the hope is something may be done,
That may compell my faith, and aske my freedom,
And leave opinion faire.
Ruy.
Command deare Lady,
97
As direfull to attempt—
Quisar.
Y'are too sudden,
I must be rul'd by you, find out a fortune
Wisely and hansomely, examine time,
And court occasion that she may be ready;
A thousand uses for your forward spirit
Ye may find daily, be sure ye take a good one,
A brave and worthy one that may advance ye,
Forced smiles reward poore dangers; you are a Souldier,
I wou'd not talke so else, and I love a Souldier,
And that that speakes him true, and great, his vallour;
Yet for all these which are but womens follies,
You may do what you please, I shall still know ye,
And though ye weare no sword.
Ru.
Excellent Lady,
When I grow so cold, and disgrace my nation,
That from their hardy nurses sucke adventures,
'Twere fit I wore a Tombstone; you have read to me
The story of your favour, if I mistake it,
Or grow a tenant in the study of it,
A great correction Lady—
Quisar.
Let's toth' banquet,
And have some merrier talke, and then to Court,
Where I give audience to my generall Suiters;
Pray heaven my womans wit hold; there brave Captain,
You may perchance meet something that may startle ye;
I'le say no more, come be not sad—
I love ye.
Exeunt.
Enter Pyniero, Armusia Soza, Christophero, and Emanuel.
Py.
You are welcome gentlemen, most worthy welcom,
And know there's nothing in our power may serve ye,
But you may freely challenge.
Arm.
Sir we thanke ye,
And rest your servants too.
Py.
Ye are worthy Portugals,
You shew the bravery of your minds and spirits;
The nature of our country too, that brings forth
Stirring, unwearied soules to seeke adventures;
Minds never satisfied with search of honour
Where time is, & the sunne gives light, brave countrimen,
Our names are known, new worlds disclose their riches,
Their beauties, and their prides to our embraces;
And we the first of nations find these wonders.
Arm.
These noble thoughts sir, have intic'd us forward,
And minds unapt for ease to see these miracles,
In which we find report a poore relater;
We are arriv'd among the blessed Islands,
Where every wind that rises blowes perfumes,
And every breath of aire is like an Incence:
The treasure of the Sun dwels here, each tree
As if it envied the old Paradice,
Strives to bring forth immortall fruit; the spices
Renewing nature, though not deifying,
And when that fals by time, scorning the earth,
The sullen earth should taint or sucke their beauties,
But as we dreamt, for ever so preserve us:
Nothing we see, but breeds an admiration;
The very rivers as we floate along,
Throw up their pearles, and curle their heads to court us;
The bowels of the earth swell with the births
Of thousand unknowne gems, and thousand riches;
Nothing that beares a life, but brings a treasure;
The people they shew brave too, civill manner'd,
Proportioned like the Mastres of great minds,
The women which I wonder at—
Py.
Ye speake well.
Ar.
Of delicate aspects, faire, clearly beauteous,
And to that admiration, sweet and courteous.
Py.
And is not that a good thing? brave Armusia
You never saw the Court before?
Ar.
No certaine,
But that I see a wonder too, all excellent,
The Government exact.
Chr.
Ye shall see anon,
That that will make ye start indeed, such beauties,
Such riches, and such forme.
Enter Bakam, Syana, Governour.
Soz.
We are fire already;
The wealthy Magazine of nature sure
Inhabits here.
Arm.
These sure are all Ilanders.
Py.
Yes, and great Princes too, and lusty lovers.
Ar.
They are goodly persons, what might he be signeor
That beares so proud a state?
Py.
King of Bakam,
A fellow that farts terrour,
Em.
He lookes highly,
Sure he was begot o'th' top of a steeple.
Chr.
It may well be,
For you shall heare him ring anon.
Py.
That is Syana,
And a brave temper'd fellow, and more valiant.
Soz.
What rugged face is that?
Py.
That's the great Governour,
The man surpriz'd our friend, I told ye of him.
Ar.
'Has dangerous eyes.
Py.
A perilous theefe, and subtle.
Chr.
And to that subtlety a heart of Iron.
Py.
Yet the young Lady makes it melt.
Ar,
They start all,
And thunder in the eyes.
Ba.
Away ye poore ones,
Am I in competition with such bubbles?
My vertue, and my name rank'd with such trifles?
Sy.
Ye speake loud.
Ba.
Young-man, I will speake louder;
Can any man but I, deserve her favour,
You petty Princes?
Princes flie at one another.
Py.
He will put 'em all in's pocket.
Sy.
Thou proud mad thing be not so full of glory,
So full of vanity.
Ba.
How? I contemne thee,
And that fort-keeping fellow,
Py.
How the dog lookes,
The bandog Governour?
Gov.
Ha, why?
Ba.
Away thing,
And keepe your ranke with those that fit your loyalty;
Call out the Princesse.
Gov.
Dost thou know me bladder,
Thou insolent impostume?
Ba.
I despise thee;
98
Art thou acquainted with my nature baby?
Let my revenge for injuries? darst thou hold me
So far behind thy file, I cannot reach thee?
What canst thou merit?
Ba.
Merit? I am above it;
I am equall with all honours, all atchievements,
And what is great and worthy; the best doer
I keepe at my command, fortune's my servant,
'Tis in my power now to despise such wretches,
To looke upon ye slightly, and neglect ye,
And but she daines at some houres to remember ye,
And people have bestowed some titles one ye,
I should forget your names—
Sy.
Mercy of me;
What a blowne foole has selfe affection
Made of this fellow? did not the Queene your mother,
Long for bellows, and bagpipes when she was great with ye,
She brought forth such a windy birth?
Gov.
'Tis ten to one
She eate a Drum, and was deliver'd of alarum,
Or else he was swadled in an old saile when he was yong.
Sy.
He swels too mainly with his meditations;
Faith talke a little hansomer, ride softly
That we may be able to hold way with ye, we are Princes,
But those are but poore things to you; talke wiser,
'Twill well become your mightinesse; talke lesse,
That men may thinke ye can do more.
Gov.
Talke truth,
That men may thinke ye are honest, and beleeve ye,
Or talke your selfe asleep, for I am weary of you.
Ba.
Why? I can talke and do.
Gov.
That wou'd do excellent.
Ba.
And tell you, only I deserve the Princesse,
And make good only I, if you dare, you sir,
Or your Syanas Prince.
Py.
Heres a storme toward,
Me thinkes it sings already, to him Governour.
Gov.
Here lies my proofe.
Draw.
Sy.
And mine.
Gov.
I'le be short with ye,
For these long arguments I was never good at.
Py.
How white the boaster lookes?
Enter Ruy Dias, Quisara, Quisana, Panura.
Ar.
I see he lackes faith.
Ru.
For shame forbeare great Princes, rule your angers,
You violate the freedome of this place,
The state and royalty—
Gov.
He's well contented
It seemes, and so I have done.
Ar.
Is this she signior?
Py.
This is the Princesse sir.
Ar.
She is sweet and goodly,
An admirable forme, they have cause to justle.
Quisar.
Ye wrong me and my court, ye forward Princes;
Comes your love wrapt in violence to seeke us?
Is't fit though you be great, my presence should be
Staind, and polluted with your bloudy rages?
My privacies affrighted with your swords?
He that loves me, loves my command; be temper'd,
Or be no more what ye professe, my Servants.
Omnes.
We are calme as peace.
Ar.
What command she carries?
And what a sparkling Majesty flyes from her?
Quisar.
Is it ye love to do? ye shall find danger,
And danger that shall start your resolutions,
But not this way; 'tis not contention,
Who loves me to my face best, or who can flatter most
Can carry me, he that deserves my favour,
And will enjoy what I bring, love and Majesty,
Must win me with his worth; must travell for me;
Must put his hasty rage off, and put on
A well confirm'd, temperate, and true vallour.
Omnes.
But shew the way.
Quisar.
And will, and then shew you
A will to tread the way, I'le say ye are worthy.
Py.
What taske now
Will she turne 'em to? these hot youths,
I feare will find a coolling card, I read in her eyes
Something that has some swinge must flye amongst 'em;
By this hand I love her a little now.
Quisar.
'Tis not unknown to you
I had a royall brother, now miserable,
And Prisoner to that man; if I were ambitious,
Gap'd for that glory was ne're borne with me,
There they should lye as miseries upon him:
If I were covetous, and my heart set
On riches, and those base effects that follow
On pleasures uncontroul'd, or safe revenges,
There he should dye, his death would give me all these;
For then stood I up absolute to do all;
Yet all these flattering shews of dignity,
These golden dreames of greatnesse cannot force
To forget nature and my faire affection.
Therefore that man that would be known my lover,
Must be known his redeemer, and must bring him
Either alive or dead to my embraces,
For even his bones I scorne shall feele such slavery,
Or seeke another Mistris, 'twill be hard
To do this, wondrous hard, a great adventure,
Fit for a spirit of an equall greatnesse;
But being done, the reward is worthy of it.
Chr.
How they stand gaping all?
Quisar.
Ruy Dias cold?
Not flye like fire into it? may be you doubt me,
He that shall do this is my husband Prince;
By the bright heavens he is, by whose justice
I openly proclame it; if I lye,
Or seeke to set you on with subtilty,
Let that meet with me, and reward my falshood.
No stirring yet, no start into a bravery?
Ruy.
Madam, it may be, but being a maine danger,
Your Grace must give me leave to looke about me,
And take a little time, the cause will aske it,
Great acts require great counsells.
Quisar.
Take your pleasure,
I feare the Portugall.
Ba.
I'le raise an Army
That shall bring backe his Island fort and all,
And fixe it here.
Gov.
How long will this be doing?
You should have begun in your Grandfathers dayes.
Sy.
What may be.
And what my power can promise noblest Lady,
My will I am sure stands faire.
Quisar.
Faire be your fortune,
Few promises are best, and faire performance.
Gov.
These cannot doe,
Their power and arts are weake ones.
99
He is my prisoner, I accept your prisoner,
And blesse the faire occasion that atchiev'd him:
I love ye, and I honor ye, but speake
Whether alive or dead he shall be rendred,
And see how readily, how in an instant,
Quicke as your wishes Lady—
Quisar.
No, I scorne ye,
You and your courtesie; I hate your love sir;
And ere I would so basely win his liberty,
I would study to forget he was my brother;
By force he was taken; he that shall enjoy me,
Shall fetch him backe by force, or never know me.
Py.
As I live, a rare wench.
Ar.
She has a noble spirit.
Gov.
By force?
Quisar.
Yes sir by force, and make you glad too
To let him goe.
Gov.
How? you may looke nobler on me,
And thinke me no such boy; by force he must not,
For your love much may be.
Quisar.
Put up your passion,
And pack ye home, I say, by force, and suddenly.
He lies there till he rots else, although I love him
Most tenderly and dearly, as a brother,
And out of these respects would joy to see him;
Yet to receive him as thy courtesie,
With all the honour thou couldst adde unto him
From his hands that most hate him, I had rather
Though no condition were propounded for him,
See him far sunke i'th earth, and there forget him.
Py.
Your hopes are gelt good Governour.
Arm.
A rare woman.
Gov.
Lady,
I'le pull this pride, I'le quench this bravery,
And turne your glorious scorne to teares and howlings;
I will proud Princesse; this neglect of me
Shall make thy brother King most miserable;
Shall turne him into curses 'gainst thy crueltie:
For where before I us'd him like a King,
And did those Royall Offices unto him,
Now he shall lie a sad lump in a dungeon,
Loden with chaines and fetters, colds and hunger,
Darknesse and lingring death for his companions;
And let me see who dare attempt his rescue,
What desperate foole; looke toward it; farwell,
And when thou know'st him thus, lament thy follies,
Nay I will make thee kneele to take my offer:
Once more farwell, and put thy trust in puppits.
Exit.
Quisar.
If none dare undertake it, I'le live a mourner.
Ba.
You cannot want.
Sy.
You must not.
Ru.
'Tis most dangerous,
And wise men wou'd proceed with care & counsell.
Yet some way would I knnw—
Walke with me Gentlemen—
Exeunt.Manent Arm. & his Comp.
Ar.
How doe you like her spirit?
Soz.
'Tis a cleare one,
Clod with no dirty stuffe, she is all pure honor.
Em.
The bravest wench I ever look'd upon,
And of the strongest parts, she is most faire,
Yet her mind such a mirrour—
Arm.
What an action
Wou'd this be to put forward one, what a glory,
And what an everlasting wealth to end it?
Methinkes my soule is strangely rais'd.
Soz.
To step into it,
Just while they thinke, and ere they have determin'd
To bring the King off.
Ar.
Things have been done as dangerous.
Em.
And prosper'd best when they were least considerd.
Ar.
Blesse me my hopes,
And you my friends assist me.
None but our companions.
Soz.
You deale wisely,
And if we shrinke the name of slaves dye with us.
Em.
Stay not for second thoughts.
Ar.
I am determin'd;
And though I lose, it shall be sung, I was valiant,
And my brave offer shall be turn'd to story,
Worthy the Princesse tongue. A boat that's all
That's unprovided, and habits like to merchants,
The rest wee'l councell as we goe.
Soz.
Away then,
Fortune lookes faire on those, make haste to win her.
Exeunt.
| The Island Princesse | |