 | The Lavves of Candy |  |
Actus Quintus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Fernando, and Michael.Fer.
The Senate is inform'd at full.
Mi.
Gonzalo.
Dreames not of my arivall yet.
Fer.
Nor thinkes
'Tis possible his plots can be discover'd:
He fats himselfe with hopes of Crownes, and Kingdoms,
And laughes securely, to imagine how
He meanes to gull all but himselfe: when truly,
None is so grosely gull'd as he.
Mich.
There was never
A more arch villain.
Fer.
Peace, the Senate comes.
Enter Porphino, Pos. Senators, and Gaspero, Attend.
Por.
How closely, Treason cloakes it selfe in formes
Of Civill honesty?
Pos.
And yet how palpably
Does heaven reveale it?
Fer.
Gratious Lords.
Gas.
The Embassadour,
Lord Paulo Michael, Advocate
To the great Duke of Venice.
Por.
You are most welcome,
Your Master is a just and noble Prince.
Mic.
My Lords, he bad me say; that you may know
How much he scornes, and (as good Princes ought)
Defies base indirect and godlesse treacheries;
To your more Sacred wisdomes he refers
The punishment due to the false Gonzalo,
Or else to send him home to Venice.
Pos.
Herein
The Duke is royall: Gaspero the Prince
Of Cyprus answer'd he would come.
Gas.
My Lords,
He will not long be absent
Enter Philander, and Melitus.
Porp.
You Fernando,
Have made the State your debter: worthy Prince,
We shall be sutors to you for your presence,
In hearing, and determining of matters
Greatly concerning Candy.
Phi.
Fathers, I am
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Pos.
Why, the cause (my Lord) concernes
A stranger: please you seat your selfe.
Phi.
How e're
Unfit, since you will have it so (my Lords)
You shall command me.
Por.
You my Lord Fernando,
With the Ambassador, withdraw a while.
Fer.
My Lords, we shall.
Ex.
Pos.
Melitus, and the Secretary,
Give notice to Gonzalo, that the Senate
Requires his presence.
Ex. Gas. and Mel.
Phi.
What concernes the businesse?
Enter Cas. and Arca.
Por.
Thus noble Prince—
Cas.
Let me alone, thou troublest me,
I will be heard.
Arc.
You know not what you doe.
Pos.
Forbeare: who's he that is so rude? whats he that dares
To interrupt our counsels?
Cas.
One that has guarded,
Those Purple roabes from Cankers worse then Moaths,
One that hath kept your fleeces on your backs,
That would have been snatch'd from you: but I see
'Tis better now to be a dog, a Spanniell
In times of Peace, then boast the brused scars,
Purchas'd with losse of bloud in noble wars:
My Lords, I speake to you.
Por.
Lord Cassilane,
We know not what you meane.
Cas.
Yes, you are set
Upon a bench of justice; and a day
Will come (heare this, and quake ye potent great ones)
When you your selves shall stand before a judge,
Who in a paire of scales will weigh your actions,
Without abatement of one graine: as then
You would be found full weight, I charge ye fathers
Let me have justice now.
Pos.
Lord Cassilane,
What strange distemperature provokes distrust
Of our impartiality? be sure
Wee'l flatter no mans injuries.
Cas.
'Tis well;
You have a Law (Lords) that without remorse
Dooms such as are beleapred with the curse
Of foule ingratitude unto death.
Por.
We have.
Cas.
Then do me justice.
Enter Antinous, Decius, Erota, Hyparcha.
Dec.
Mad-man, whether run'st thou?
Ant.
Peace Decius, I am deafe.
Hyp.
Will you forget
Your greatnesse and your modesty?
Er.
Hyparcha leave, I will not heare,
Ant.
Lady; great, gentle, Lady.
Er.
Prethee young-man forbeare to interrupt me,
Triumph not in thy fortunes; I will speake.
Pos.
More uproares yet; who are they that disturb us?
Cas.
The viper's come; his feares have drawn him hether,
And now (My Lords) be Chronicled for ever,
And give me justice against this vile Monster,
This bastard of my bloud.
Er.
'Tis justice fathers,
I sue for too: and though I might command it.
(If you remember Lords, whose child I was)
Yet I will humbly beg it; this old wretch
'Has forfeited his life to me.
Cas.
Tricks, tricks;
Complots, devices, 'twixt these paire of young-ones,
To blunt the edge of your well temper'd Swords,
Wherewith you strike offendors, (Lords) but I
Am not a baby to be fear'd with bug-beares,
'Tis justice I require.
Er.
And I.
Ant.
You speak too tenderly; and too much, like your self
To meane a cruelty; which would make monstrous
Your Sexe: yet for the loves sake, which you once
Pleas'd to pretend, give my griev'd father leave
To vrge his owne revenge; you have no cause
For yours: keep peace about ye.
Cas.
Will you heare me?
Phi.
Here's some strange novelty.
Pos.
Sure we are mock'd,
Speake one at once: say wherein hath your Son
Transgress'd the Law?
Cas.
O the grosse mists of dulnesse;
Are you this Kingdomes Oracles, yet can be
So ignorant? first heare, and then consider,
That I begot him, gave him birth and life,
And education, were I must confesse,
But duties of a father: I did more;
I taught him how to manage Armes, to dare
An Enemy; to court both death and dangers;
Yet these were but additions to compleate
A well accomplish'd Souldier: I did more yet.
I made him chiefe Commander in the field
Next to my selfe, and gave him the full prospect
Of honour, and preferment; train'd him up
In all perfections of a martiallist:
But he unmindfull of his gratitude,
You know with what contempt of my deserts,
First kick'd against mine honour, scorn'd all
My services; then got the palme of glory
Unto himselfe: yet not content with this,
He (lastly) hath conspir'd my death, and sought
Means to engage me to this Lady's debt,
Whose bounty, all my whole estate could never
Give satisfaction too: now honoured fathers,
For this cause only, if your Law be law,
And you the Ministers of justice; then
Thinke of this strange ingratitude in him.
Phi.
Can this be so Antinous?
Ant,
'Tis all true,
Nor hath my much wrong'd father limn'd my faults
In colours halfe so black, as in themselves,
My guilt hath dyed them: were there mercy left,
Yet mine owne shame would be my Executioner:
Lords, I am guilty.
Er.
Thou beliest Antinous,
Thine innocence: alas (my lords) hee's desperate,
And talkes he knowes not what: you must not credit
His lunacy; I can my selfe disprove
This accusation: Cassilane, be yet
More mercifull; I beg it.
Cas.
Time, nor fate,
The world, or what is in it, shall not alter
My resolution; he shall dye.
Er.
The Senats
Prayers; or weeping Lovers, shall not alter
My resolution: thou shalt dye.
Ant.
Why Madam,
Are ye all Marble?
Pos.
Leave your shifts Antinous,
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Ant.
Most fully guilty.
Pos.
You have doom'd your selfe,
We cannot quit you now.
Cas.
A burthen'd conscience
Will never need a hang-man: hadst thou dar'd
To have denide it, then this Sword of mine
Should on thy head have prov'd thy tongue a lyar.
Er.
Thy sword? wretched old man, thou hast liv'd too long
To carry peace or comfort to thy grave;
Thou art a man condemn'd: my Lords this tyrant
Had perish'd but for me, I still suppli'd
His miserable wants; I sent his daughter
Mony to buy him food; the bread he eate,
Was from my purse: when he (vaingloriously)
To dive into the peoples hearts, had pawn'd
His birth-right, I redeemed it, sent it to him,
And for requitall, only made my suite,
That he would please to new receive his son
Into his favour, for whose love I told him
I had been still so friendly: But then he
As void of gratitude, as all good nature,
Distracted like a mad man, poasted hether
To pull this vengeance on himselfe, and us;
For why, (my Lords) since by the Law, all meanes
Is blotted out of your commission,
As this hard hearted father hath accus'd
Noble Antinous, his unblemished Son,
So I accuse this father, and crave judgement.
Cas.
All this is but deceit, meere trifles forg'd
By combination to defeat the processe
Of Justice, I will have Antinous life.
Arc.
Sir, what do ye meane?
Er.
I will have Cassilane's.
Ant.
Cunning and cruell Lady, runs the streame
Of your affections this way? have you not
Conquest enough by treading on my grave?
Unlesse you send me thether in a shrowd
Steept in my fathers bloud? as you are woman,
As the protests of love you vow'd were honest;
Be gentler to my father.
Er.
Cassilane,
Thou hast a heart of flint: let my intreates,
My teares, the Sacrifice of griefes unfained,
Melt it: yet be a father to thy son,
Unmaske thy long besotted judgement, see
A low obedience kneeling at the feet
Of nature: I beseech you.
Cas.
Pish, you cosen
Your hopes: your plots are idle: I am resolute.
Er.
Antinous, urge no further.
Ant.
Hence thou Sorcery
Of a beguiling softnesse, I will stand,
Like the earths Center, unmoved; Lords your breath
Must finish these divisions: I confesse
Civility doth teach I should not speake
Against a Lady of her birth, so high
As great Erota, but her injuries
And thankelesse wrongs to me, urge me to cry
Alowd for justice, Fathers.
Dec.
Whether run you?
Ant.
For (honoured fathers) that you all may know
That I alone am not unmatchable
In crimes of this condition, lest perhaps
You might conceive, as yet the case appeares,
That this foule staine, and guilt runs in a bloud;
Before this presence, I accuse this Lady
Of as much vile ingratitude to me.
Cas.
Impudent Traitor!
Phi.
Her? O spare Antinous;
The world reputes thee valiant, do not foyle
All thy past noblenesse with such a cowardize,
As murthering innocent Ladies will stamp on thee?
Ant.
Brave Prince, with what unwillingnesse I force
Her follies, and in those her sin, be witnesse,
All these about me: she is bloudy minded,
And turnes the justice of the Law to rigor:
It is her cruelties, not I accuse her:
Shall I have Audience?
Er.
Let him speake my Lords.
Dec.
Your memory will rot.
Ant.
Cast all your eyes
On this, what shall I call her? truthlesse woman,
When often in my discontents, the sway
Of her unruly bloud, her untam'd passion,
(Or name it as you list) had houre by houre
Sollicited my love, she vow'd at last
She could not, would not live unlesse I granted
What she long sued for: I in tender pitty,
To save a Lady of her birth, from ruine.
Gave her her life, and promis'd to be hers:
Nor urg'd I ought from her, but secresie,
And then enjoyn'd her to supply such wants
As I perceiv'd my fathers late engagements
Had made him subject to; what, shall I heape up
Long repetitions? she to quit my pitty,
Not only hath discover'd to my father
What she had promis'd to conceale, but also
Hath drawne my life into this fatall forfeit;
For which, since I must dye, crave a like
Equality of justice against her,
Not that I covet bloud, but that she may not
Practice this art of falsehood on some other,
Perhaps more worthy of her love hereafter.
Por.
If this be true—
Er.
My Lords, be as the Law is,
Indifferent, upright, I do plead guilty:
Now sir, what glory have you got by this?
'Las man, I meant not to outlive thy doome;
Shall we be friends in death?
Cas.
Heare me, the villaine
Scandals her, honour'd Lords.
Er.
Leave off to doate,
And dye a wise man.
Ant.
I am over-reach'd,
And master'd in my own resolution.
Phi.
Will ye be wilfull Madam? here's the curse
Of loves disdaine.
Cas.
Why sit you like dumb Statues?
Demur no longer.
Pos.
Cassilane, Erota,
Antinous, death ye aske; and 'tis your doomes,
You in your follies liv'd, dye in your follies.
Cas.
I am reveng'd, and thanke you for it.
Er.
Yes, and I: Antinous hath been gratious.
Ant.
Sir, may I presume to crave a blessing from you
Before we part.
Cas.
Yes, such a one as Parents
Bestow on cursed sons now, now, I laugh
To see how those poore younglings are both cheated
Of life and comfort: looke ye looke ye, Lords,
I go but some ten minutes (more or lesse)
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Themselves of many, many hopefull yeares
Amidst their prime of youth and glory; now
Enter Annoph.
My vengeance is made ful. Welcome my joy,
Thou comst to take a seasonable blessing
From thy halfe buried fathers hand; I am dead
Already girle, and so is she and he,
We all are wormes-meat now.
Anno.
I have heard all;
Nor shall you dye alone: Lords on my knees
I beg for justice too.
Porp.
'Gainst whom, for what?
Ann.
First let me be resolv'd; does the Law favour
None, be they ne're so mighty?
Porp.
Not the greatest.
Ann.
Then justly I accuse of foule ingratitude
(My Lords) you of the Senate all, not one
Excepted.
Pos., Porp.
Us?
Phil.
Annophill—
Ann.
You are the Authors
Of this unthrifty bloud-shed; when your enemies
Came marching to your gates, your children suck'd not
Safe at their mothers breasts, your very Cloysters
Were not secure, your starting-holes of refuge
Not free from danger, nor your lives your owne:
In this most desperate Extasie, my father,
This aged man, not onely undertook
To guard your lives, but did so; and beat off
The daring foe; for you he pawn'd his lands,
To pay your souldiers, who without their pay
Refus'd to strike a blow: but (Lords) when peace
Was purchas'd for you, and victorie brought home;
Where was your gratitude, who in your Coffers
Hoarded the rustie treasure which was due
To my unminded father? he was glad
To live retir'd in want, in penurie,
Whilst you made feasts of surfeit, and forgot
Your debts to him: The sum of all is this,
You have been unthankfull to him; and I crave
The rigor of the Law against you all.
Cas.
My Royall spirited daughter!
Ero.
Annophill
Thou art a worthy wench; let me embrace thee.
Ann.
Lords, why doe ye keep your seats? they are no places
For such as are offenders.
Pos.
Though our ignorance
Of Cassilanes engagements might asswage
Severity of justice, yet to shew
How no excuse should smooth a breach of Law,
I yeeld me to the triall of it.
Porp.
So must I:
Great Prince of Cyprus, you are left
The onely Moderator in this difference;
And as you are a Prince be a Protector
To wofull Candy.
Phil.
What a Scene of miserie
Hath thine obdurate frowardnesse (old man)
Drawne on thy Countries bosome? and for that
Thy proud ambition could not mount so high
As to be stil'd thy Countries onely Patron,
Thy malice hath descended to the depth
Of hell, to be renowned in the Title
Of the destroyer? dost thou yet perceive
What curses all posterity will brand
Thy grave with? that at once hast rob'd this kingdome
Of honour and of safety.
Erot.
Children yet unborne
Will stop their eares when thou art nam'd.
Arc.
The world will be too little to containe
The memorie of this detested deed;
The Furies will abhorre it.
Dec.
What the sword
Could not enforce, your peevish thirst of honour
(A brave, cold, weak, imaginarie fame)
Hath brought on Candy: Candy groans, not these
That are to die.
Phil.
'Tis happinesse enough
For them, that they shall not survive to see
The wounds wherewith thou stab'st the land that gave
Thee life and name.
Dec.
'Tis Candy's wrack shall feele—
Cas.
The mischief of your folly.
Porp., Pos.
Annophill—
Ann.
I will not be entreated.
Cas.
Prethee Annophill.
Ann.
Why would ye urge me to a mercy which
You in your selfe allow not?
Cas.
'Tis the Law,
That if the party who complaines, remit
The offender, he is freed: is't not so Lords?
Porp., Pos.
'Tis so.
Cas.
Antinous, By my shame observe
What a close witch-craft popular applause is:
I am awak'd, and with cleare eyes behold
The Lethargie wherein my reason long
Hath been be-charm'd: Live, live, my matchlesse sonne,
Blest in thy fathers blessing; much more blest
In thine owne vertues: let me dew thy cheeks
With my unmanly teares: Rise, I forgive thee:
And good Antinous, if I shall be thy father
Forgive me: I can speak no more.
Ant.
Deare Sir,
You new beget me now—Madam your pardon,
I hartily remit you.
Ero.
I as freely
Discharge thee Cassilane.
Ann.
My gracious Lords,
Repute me not a blemish to my Sex,
In that I strove to cure a desperate evill
With a more violent remedy: your lives,
Your honours are your owne.
Phil.
Then with consent
Be reconcil'd on all sides: Please you fathers
To take your places.
Pos.
Let us againe ascend,
With joy and thankfulnesse to heaven: And now
To other businesse Lords.
Enter Gaspero, and Melitus, with Gonzalo.
Mel.
Two howres and more Sir,
The Senate hath been set.
Gonz.
And I not know it?
Who sits with them?
Mel.
My Lord, the Prince of Cyprus.
Gonz.
Gaspero,
VVhy how comes that to passe?
Gas.
Some waighty cause
I warrant you.
Gonz.
Now Lords the businesse? ha?
VVho's here, Erota?
Porp.
Secretarie doe your charge
Upon that Traitor.
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Traytor?
Gas.
Yes, Gonzalo, Traitor,
Of treason to the peace and state of Candy,
I doe arrest thee.
Gonz.
Me? thou dog?
Enter Fernando and Michael.
Mich.
With License
From this grave Senate, I arrest thee likewise
Of Treason to the State of Venice.
Gonz.
Ha?
Is Michael here? nay then I see
I am undone.
Ero.
I shall not be your Queen,
Your Dutchesse, or your Empresse.
Gonz.
Dull, dull braine.
O I am fool'd?
Gas.
Look Sir, do you know this hand?
Mic.
Do you know this Seale? First (Lords) he writes to Venice,
To make a perfect league, during which time
He would in private keep some Troops in pay,
Bribe all the Centinells throughout this kindom,
Corrupt the Captaines; at a Banquet poyson
The Prince, and greatest Peeres, and in conclusion
Yield Candy slave to Venice.
Gas.
Next, he contracted
With the Illustrious Princesse, the Lady Erota,
In hope of marriage with her, to deliver
All the Venetian gallantry, and strength,
Upon their first arrivall, to the mercy
Of her and Candy.
Erot.
This is true Gonzalo.
Gon.
Let it be true: what then?
Pos.
My Lord Ambassadour,
What's your demand?
Mich.
As likes the State of Candy,
Either to sentence him as he deserves
Here, or to send him like a slave to Venice.
Porph.
We shall advise upon it.
Gonz.
O the devills,
That had not thrust this trick into my pate—
A Politician foole? destruction, plague
Candy and Venice both.
Pos., Porp.
Away with him.
Mel.
Come sir, Ile see you safe.
Exeunt. Gonz. Mel.
Ero.
Lords, e're you part
Be witnesse to another change of wonder;
Antinous, now be bold, before this presence,
Freely to speak, whether or no I us'd
The humblest meanes affection could contrive,
To gaine thy love.
Ant.
Madam, I must confesse it,
And ever am your servant.
Ero.
Yes Antinous,
My servant, for my Lord thou shalt be never:
I here disclaim the interest thou hadst once
In my too passionate thoughts. Most noble Prince,
If yet a relique of thy wonted flames
Live warme within thy bosome, then I blush not
To offer up the assurance of my faith,
To thee that hast deserv'd it best.
Phil.
O Madam,
You play with my calamity.
Ero.
Let heaven
Record my truth for ever.
Phil.
With more joy
Then I have words to utter, I accept it.
I also pawne you mine.
Ero.
The man that in requitall
Of noble and un-sought affection
Growes cruell, never lov'd, nor did Antinous.
Yet herein (Prince) ye are beholding to him;
For his neglect of me humbled a pride,
Which to a vertuous wife had been a Monster.
Phil.
For which Ile ranke him my deserving friend.
Ant.
Much comfort dwell with you, as I could wish
To him I honour most.
Cas.
O my Antinous,
My owne, my owne good son.
Fer.
One suit I have to make.
Phil.
To whom Fernando?
Fer.
Lord Cassilane to you.
Cas.
To me?
Fer.
This Lady
Hath promised to be mine.
Ann.
Your blessing sir;
Brother your love.
Ant.
You cannot sir bestow her
On a more noble gentleman.
Cas.
Saist thou so?
Antinous I confirm it. Here Fernando,
Live both as one; she is thine.
Ant.
And herein sister,
I honour you for your wise setled love.
This is a day of Triumph, all Contentions
Are happily accorded: Candy's peace
Secur'd, and Venice vow'd a worthy friend.
Exeunt.
FINIS.
| The Lavves of Candy | |