 | The Lavves of Candy |  |
Scæna prima.
Enter Gaspero, and Melitus.Mel.
Sir, you'r the very friend I wish'd to meet with,
I have a large discourse invites your eare
To be an Auditor.
Gas.
And what concernes it?
Mel.
The sadly thriving progresse of the loves
Betweene my Lord the Prince, and that great Lady,
Whose insolencie, and never-yet-match'd pride,
Can by no Character be well exprest,
But in her onlie name, the prow'd Erota.
Gas.
Alas Melitus, I should ghesse, the best
Successe your Prince could find from her, to be
As harsh as the event doth prove: but now
'Tis not a time to pity passionate griefes,
When a whole Kingdome in a manner lies
Upon its death-bed bleeding.
Mel.
Who can tell
Whether or no, these many plagues at once
Hang over this unhappie Land, for her sake,
That is a monster in it.
Gas.
Here's the miserie
Of having a child our Prince: else I presume
The bold Venecians had not dar'd to attempt
So bloudie an Invasion.
Mel.
Yet I wonder
Why, Master Secretarie, still the Senate
So almost superstitiouslie adores,
Gonzalo the Venetian Lord, considering
The outrage of his Countrymen—
Gas.
The Senate
Is wise, and therein just, for this Gonzalo,
Upon a Massacre performed at Sea
By the Admirall of Venice, on a Merchant
Of Candy, when the cause was to be heard
Before the Senate there, in open Court
Professed, that the crueltie the Admirall
Had shewed, deserved not only fine, but death:
For Candy then, and Venice were at peace:
Since when upon a motion in the Senate,
For conquest of our Land, 'tis known for certaine,
That only this Gonzalo dar'd to oppose it,
His reason was, because it too much favoured
Of Lawlesse, and unjust ambition.
The wars were scarce begun, but he (in feare
Of quarrels 'gainst his life) fled from his Countrie,
And hether came, where (to confirme his truth)
I know (Melitus) he, out of his owne store,
Hath monied Cassilanes the Generall.
Mel.
What, without other pledges then Cassilanes
Bare promise of payment?
Gas.
No, it may be
He has some pettie Lordship to retire to:
But this he hath done; now 'tis fit Melitus,
The Senate should be thankefull, otherwise,
They should annihilate one of those Laws,
For which this Kiagdome is throughout the world
Unfollowed, and admired.
Mel.
What Lawes are these? sir,
Let me so much importune you.
Gas.
You shall,
And they be worth your knowledge; briefly thus:
Who ere he be that can detect apparantly
Another of ingratitude, for any
Received benefit, the Plaintiffe may
Require the offenders life; unlesse he please
Freely, and willingly to grant remission.
Mel.
By which strict Law the Senate is in danger,
Should they neglect Gonzalo.
Gas.
Right; the Law
Permits a like equalitie to Aliens,
As to a home-borne Patriot.
Mel.
Pray sir the other?
Gas.
Know Melitus,
The elder Cretans flourished many yeares,
In War, in Peace, unparalel'd, and they
(To spurre heroicke spirits on to vertue)
Enacted that what man so ere he were,
Did noblest in the field against his enemie,
So by the generall voice approv'd, and knowne,
Might at his home-returne, make his demand
For satisfaction, and reward.
Mel.
They are
Both famous Lawes indeed.
Enter a Messenger.
Mes.
Master Secretarie,
The Senate is about to sit, and crave
Your presence.
Gas.
What, so suddenly?
Mes.
These Letters
Will shew the causes why.
Gas.
Heaven thou art great,
And worthie to be thanked.
Mel.
Your countenance sir
Doth promise some good tidings.
Gas.
O the best
And happiest for this land, that e're was told!
All the Venetian Forces are defeated.
Mel.
How Sir?
Gas.
And what doth adde some delight more,
There is amongst the Souldiers a contention
Who shall be the triumpher and it stands
Doubtfull betweene a Father and his Son,
Old Cassilanes, and young Antinous.
Mel.
Why may not both demand it?
Gas.
The Law denies it:
But where the Souldiers do not all consent,
The parties in contention, are refer'd
To plead before the Senate; and from them,
Upon an open Audience, to be judg'd
The Chiefe, and then to make demands.
Mel.
You ravish me
With wonder and delight.
Gas.
Come: as we walke,
I shall more fully informe you.
Exeunt.
| The Lavves of Candy | |