 | The Lovers Progres |  |
Actus Quartus.
Scæna prima.
Enter Alcidon, and Beronte severally.Alc.
Ye are oportunely met.
Ber.
Your countenance expresses hast mixt with some feare.
Alc.
You'l share with me in both, as soone as you are made
Acquainted with the cause, if you love vertue,
In danger not secure; I have no time
For circumstance, instruct me if Lisander
Be in your fathers house?
Ber.
Upon my knowledge he is not there.
Alc.
I am glad on't.
Ber.
Why good sir?
(Without offence I speake it) there's no place
In which he is more honour'd, or more safe,
Then with his friend Cleander.
Alc.
In your votes
I grant it true, but as it now stands with him,
I can give reason to make satisfaction
For what I speake; you cannot but remember
The ancient difference between Lisander
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Beront.
I do; and the foule plot of Cloridons kinsmen
Upon Lisanders life, for a fall given to Cloridon
'Fore the King, as they encountred at a solemne tilting.
Alcid.
It is now reveng'd:
In briefe a challenge was brought to Lisander
By one Chrysantes; and as far as valour
Would give him leave, declin'd by bold Lisander:
But peace refus'd, and braves, on braves heap'd on him,
Alone he met the opposites, ending the quarrell
With both their lives.
Ber.
I am truely sorry for't.
Alc.
The King incensed for his favourites death,
Hath set a price upon Lisanders head,
As a reward to any man that brings it
Alive, or dead; to gaine this, every where
He is pursu'd, and laid for, and the friendship
Between him and your noble brother knowne,
His house in reason cannot passe unsearcht,
And that's the principall cause that drew me hither,
To hasten his remove, if he had chosen
This Castle for his sanctuary.
Ber.
'Twas done nobly,
And you most welcome; this night pray you take
A lodging with us; and at my intreaty
Conceale this from my brother, he is growne
Exceeing sad of late; and the hard fortune
Of one he values at so high a rate,
Will much encrease his melancholy.
Alc.
I am tutor'd; pray you lead the way.
Ber.
To serve you I will shew it.
Exeunt.
Enter Cleander with a book.
Cle.
Nothing more certaine then to dye, but when
Is most uncertaine: if so, every houre
We should prepare us for the journey, which
Is not to be put off. I must submit
To the divine decree, not argue it,
And chearfully I welcome it: I have
Dispos'd of my estate, confess'd my sinnes,
And have remission from my Ghostly Father,
Being at peace too here: the apparition
Proceeded not from fancy, Dorilaus
Saw it, and heard it with me, it made answer
To our demands, and promis'd, if 'twere not
Deny'd to him by fate, he would forewarne me
Of my approaching end, I feele no symptome
Of sicknesse, yet I know not how a dulnesse
Invades me all over. Ha?
Enter Host.
Host.
I come sir,
To keep my promise; and as farre as spirits
Are sensible of sorrow for the living,
I grieve to be the messenger to tell you,
Ere many houres passe, you must resolve
To fill a grave.
Cle.
And feast the wormes?
Host.
Even so sir.
Clean.
I heare it like a man.
Host.
It well becomes you, there's no evading it.
Clean.
Can you discover by whose means I must dye?
Host.
That is deny'd me:
But my prediction is too sure; prepare
To make your peace with heaven. So farewell sir,
Ex.
Cle.
I see no enemy neare; and yet I tremble
Like a pale Coward: my sad doom pronounc'd
By this aëriall voice, as in a glasse
Shewes me my death in its most dreadfull shape.
What rampire can my humane frailty raise
Against the assault of fate? I doe begin
To feare my selfe, my inward strengths forsake me,
I must call out for helpe. Within there? haste,
And break in to my rescue.
Enter Dorilaus, Caliste, Olinda, Beronte, Alcidon, Servants and Clarinda at severall doores.
Dor.
Rescue? where? shew me your danger.
Cal.
I will interpose
My loyall breast between you and all hazzard.
Ber.
Your brothers sword secures you.
Alc.
A true friend will dye in your defence.
Clean.
I thanke yee,
To all my thanks. Encompass'd thus with friends
How can I feare? and yet I doe, I am wounded,
Mortally wounded: nay it is within,
I am hurt in my minde: One word—
Dor.
A thousand.
Cle.
I shall not live to speak so many to you.
Dor.
Why? what forbids you?
Cle.
But even now the spirit
Of my dead Host appear'd, and told me, that
This night I should be with him: did you not meet it?
It went out at that doore.
Dor.
A vaine Chymera
Of your imagination: can you thinke
Mine Host would not as well have spoke to me now,
As he did in the Inne? these waking dreames
Not alone trouble you, but strike a strange
Distraction in your family: see the teares
Of my poore daughter, faire Olinda's sadnesse,
Your brothers and your friends griefe, servants sorrow.
Good sonne beare up, you have many yeares to live
A comfort to us all: let's in to supper;
Ghosts never walke till after mid-night, if
I may believe my Grannam. VVe will wash
These thoughts away with wine, spight of Hobgoblins.
Cle.
You reprehend me justly: gentle Madam,
And all the rest, forgive me, Ile endeavour
To be merry with you.
Dor.
That's well said.
Beron.
I have procur'd your pardon.
Cal.
Once more I receive you
Into my service: but take speciall care
You fall no further.
Clar.
Never Madam: sir,
When you shall finde fit time to call me to it,
I will make good what I have said.
Ber.
Till when, upon your life be silent.
Dor.
We will have a health unto Lisander.
Cle.
His name sir
Somewhat revives me; but his sight would cure me.
How ever let's to supper.
Olin.
VVould Clarange
And Lidian were here too, as they should be,
If wishes cou'd prevaile.
Cal.
They are fruitlesse Madam.
Ex.
Enter Leon.
Leon.
If that report speak truth, Clarinda is
Discharg'd her Ladies service, and what burthen,
I then have drawne upon me is apparent,
The crop she reapt from her attendance was
Her best Revenue, and my principall meanes
Clarinda's bountie, though I labour'd hard for't,
A younger brothers fortune: Must I now
Have soure sawce after sweet meats? and be driv'n
To leavie halfe a Crown a week, besides
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If she prove, as she sweares she is with childe;
Such as live this way, finde like me, though wenching
Hath a faire face, there's a Dragon in the taile of't
That stings toth' quick. I must skulke here, untill
I am resolv'd: how my heart pants between
My hopes and feares? shee's come; are we in the Port?
If not, let's sink together.
Enter Clarinda.
Clar.
Things goe better
Then you deserve; you carry things so openly,
I must beare every way, I am once more
In my Ladies grace.
Leon.
And I in yours.
Clar.
It may be; but I have sworne unto my Lady never
To sinne againe.
Leon.
To be surpriz'd—the sinne
Is in it selfe excusable; to be taken
Is a crime, as the Poet writes.
Clar.
You know my weaknesse,
And that makes you so confident. You have got
A faire sword; was it not Lisanders?
Leon.
Yes wench,
And I growne valiant by the wearing of it:
It hath been the death of two. With this Lisander
Slew Cloridon, and Chrysanthes. I took it up,
Broken in the handle, but that is reform'd,
And now in my possession; the late Master
Dares never come to challenge it: this sword,
And all the weapons that I have, are ever
Devoted to thy service: Shall we bill?
I am very gamesome.
Clar.
I must first dispose of
The foole Malfort; he hath smoak'd you, and is not,
But by some new device to be kept from me:
I have it here shall fit him: you know where
You must expect me, with all possible silence
Get thither.
Leon.
You will follow?
Clar.
VVill I live?
She that is forfeited to lust must dye,
That humour being un-fed; begone, here comes
Exit Le.
My champion in Armour.
Ent. Malf. in Armour.
Malf.
What adventure
I am bound upon I know not, but it is
My Mistris pleasure that I should appeare thus.
I may perhaps be terrible to others,
But as I am, I am sure my shadow frights me,
The clashing of my Armour in my eares,
Sounds like a passing-bell; and my Buckler, puts me
In minde of a Beere; this my broad sword a pick-axe
To dig my grave: O love, abominable love,
What Monsters issue from thy dismall den,
Clarinda's placket, which I must encounter,
Or never hope to enter?
Clar.
Here's a Knight errant, Monsieur Malfort.
Malf.
Stand, stand, or Ile fall for yee.
Clar.
Know ye not my voice?
Malf.
Yes, 'twas at that I trembl'd.
But were my false friend Leon here—
Clar.
'Tis he.
Malf.
Where? where?
Clar.
He is not come yet.
Malf.
'Tis well for him,
I am so full of wrath.
Clar.
Or feare—This Leon,
How 'ere my kinsman, hath abus'd you grossely,
And this night vowes to take me hence perforce,
And marry me to another: 'twas for this,
(Presuming on your love) I did entreat you
To put your armour on, that with more safety
You might defend me.
Mal.
And Ile doe it bravely.
Clar.
You must stand here to beate him off, and suffer
No humane thing to passe you, though it appeare
In my Lords shape, or Ladies: be not cozen'd
With a disguise.
Mal.
I have been fool'd already, but now I am wise.
Car.
You must sweare not to stirre hence.
Malf.
Upon these lips.
Clar.
Nor move untill I call you?
Malf.
Ile grow here rather.
Clar.
This nights taske well ended,
I am yours to morrow. Keep sure guard.
Exit Clar.
Malf.
Adiew;
My honey-combe how sweet thou art, did not
A nest of Hornets keep it? what impossibilities
Love makes me undertake? I know my selfe
A naturall coward, and should Leon come,
Though this were Cannon proofe, I should deliver
The wench before he ask'd her. I heare some footing:
'Tis he; where shall I hide my selfe? that is
My best defence.
Enter Cleander.
Cle.
I cannot sleep, strange visions
Make this poore life, I fear'd of late to lose,
A toy that I grow weary of.
Malf.
'Tis Leon.
Clean.
What's that?
Mal.
If you are come sir for Clarinda;
I am glad I have her for you; I resigne
My interest; you'll finde her in her chamber,
I did stay up to tell you so.
Clean.
Clarinda, and Leon!
There is something more in this
Then I can stay to aske.
Exit.
Malf.
What a cold pickle,
(And that none of the sweetest) doe I finde
My poore selfe in?
Clean.
speaks within.
Yield villaine.
Enter Clarinda and Leon, running. Cleander following.
Clar.
'Tis my Lord,
Shift for your selfe.
Leon.
His life
Shall first make answer
For this intrusion.
Kills Cleander.
Malf.
I am going away,
I am gone already.
Falls in a swoune.
Clean.
Heaven take mercy on
My soule; too true presaging Host.
Clar.
Hee's dead,
And this wretch little better:
Doe you stare upon your
Handy-work?
Leon.
I am amaz'd.
Clar.
Get o're the garden Wall, flye for your life,
But leave your sword behinde; enquire not why:
Ile fashion something out of it, though I perish,
Shall make way for revenge.
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These are the fruits
Of lust Clarinda.
Clar.
Hence repenting Milk-sop.
Ex. Leon.
Now 'tis too late. Lisanders sword, I that,
Puts the sword in Malf. hand.
That is the base Ile build on. So. Ile raise
The house. Help, murther, a most horrid
Murther. Monsieur Beronte, noble Dorilaus,
All buried in sleep? Aye me a murther:
A most unheard-of murther.
Enter Dorilaus as from bed.
Dor.
More lights knaves;
Beronte, Alcidon; more lights.
Enter Beronte, Alcidon, and Servants, with lights.
Clar.
By this I see too much.
Dor.
My sonne Cleander bathing
In his owne gore. The devill to tell truth ith' shape of
An Host!
Ber.
My Brother?
Malf.
I have been
Ith' other world, in hell I think, these devills
With fire-brands in their pawes sent to torment me,
Though I never did the deed, for my lewd purpose
To be a whore-master.
Dor.
Who's that?
Alc.
'Tis one in Armour. A bloudy sword in his hand.
Dor.
Sans question the murtherer.
Malf.
Who I? you doe me wrong,
I never had the heart to kill a Chicken;
Nor doe I know this sword.
Alc.
I doe, too well.
Ber.
I have seen Lisander weare it.
Clar.
This confirmes
What yester-night I whisper'd: let it worke,
The circumstance may make it good.
Mal.
My Lord? and I his murtherer?
Ber.
Drag the villaine hence,
The Rack shall force a free confession from him.
Mal.
I am strook dumbe;
You need not stop my mouth.
Ber.
Away with him.
Exit with Malf.
Enter Caliste and Olinda.
Cal.
Where is my Lord?
Dor.
All that
Remaines of him lies there: look on this object,
And then turne marble.
Cal.
I am so already,
Made fit to be his monument: but wherefore
Doe you, that have both life and motion left you,
Stand sad spectators of his death,
And not bring forth his murtherer?
Ber.
That lies in you: you must, and shal produce him.
Dor.
She Beronte?
Ber.
None else.
Dor.
Thou ly'st, Ile prove it on thy head,
Or write it on thy heart.
Alc.
Forbeare, there is
Too much bloud shed already,
Ber.
Let not choler
Stifle your judgement: many an honest father
Hath got a wicked daughter. If I prove not
With evident proofes, her hand was in the bloud
Of my deare brother, (too good a husband for her)
Give your revenge the reines, and spur it forward.
Dor.
In any circumstance but shew her guilty,
Ile strike the first stroak at her.
Ber.
Let me aske
A question calmly: doe you know this sword?
Have you not seen Lisander often weare it.
Dor.
The same with which he rescued me.
Cal.
I do, What inference from this to make me guilty?
Ber.
Was he not with you in the house to night?
Cal.
No on my soule.
Ber.
Nor ever heretofore
In private with you, when you feign'd a sicknesse,
To keep your husband absent?
Cal.
Never sir, to a dishonest end.
Ber.
Was not this woman
Your instrument? her silence does confesse it:
Here lyes Cleander dead, and here the sword
Of false Lisander, too long cover'd with
A masque of seeming truth.
Dor.
And is this all
The proofe you can alleage? Lisander guilty,
Or my poore daughter an adulteresse?
Suppose that she had chang'd discourse with one
To whom she ow'd much more?
Cal.
Thou hast thy ends, wicked Clarinda.
She falls.
Oli.
Helpe, the Lady sinks, malice hath kill'd her.
Dor.
I would have her live,
Since I dare sweare shee's innocent: 'tis no time
Or place to argue now: this cause must be
Decided by the Judge; and though a Father,
I will deliver her into the hands
Of Justice: If she prove true gold when try'd,
Shee's mine: if not, with curses Ile disclaime her:
Take up your part of sorrow, mine shall be
Ready to answer with her life the fact
That she is charg'd with.
Ber.
Sir, I look upon you as on a father.
Dor.
VVith the eyes of sorrow
I see you as a brother: let your witnesses
Be readie.
Ber.
'Tis my care.
Alc.
I am for Lidian.
This accident no doubt will draw him from
His Hermits life.
Clar.
Things yet goe right, persist sir.
Exeunt.
Enter Lisander, and Lancelot.
Lis.
Are the horses dead?
Lanc.
Out-right. If you ride at this rate,
You must resolve to kill your two a day,
And that's a large proportion.
Lis.
Will you please
At any price, and speedily, to get fresh ones.
You know my danger, and the penalty
That followes it, should I be apprehended.
Your duty in obeying my commands,
Will in a better language speak your service,
Then your unnecessary, and untimely care of my expence.
Lanc.
I am gone sir.
Exit.
Lisan.
In this thicket
I will expect you: Here yet I have leisure
To call my selfe to a strict account
For my pass'd life, how vainly spent: I would
I stood no farther guilty: but I have
A heavier reckoning to make: This hand
Of late as white as innocence, and unspotted,
Now weares a purple colour, dy'd in gore,
My soule of the same tincture; pur-blinde passion,
With flattering hopes, would keep me from despaire,
Pleading I was provok'd to it; but my reason
Breaking such thin and weak defences, tells me
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Was it in service of the King? his Edicts
Command the contrary: or for my Countrey?
Her Genius, like a mourning mother, answers
In Cloridon and Chrysanthes she hath lost
Two hopefull sonnes, that might have done their parts,
To guard her from Invasion: for what cause then?
To keep th'opinion of my valour upright,
Ith' popular breath, a sandy ground to build on;
Bought with the Kings displeasure, as the breac
Of heavens decrees, the losse of my true comforts,
In Parents, Kinsmen, friends, as the fruition
Of all that I was borne to, and that sits
Like to a hill of Lead here, in my exile,
(Never to be repeal'd, if I escape so)
I have cut off all hopes ever to look on
Enter Lidian, like a Hermite.
Divine Caliste, from her sight, and converse,
For ever banish'd.
Lid.
I should know this voice,
His naming too my sister, whom Lisander
Honour'd, but in a noble way, assures me
That it can be no other: I stand bound
To comfort any man I finde distress'd:
But to ayd him that sav'd my life, Religion
And Thankfulnesse commands, and it may be
High providence for this good end hath brought him
Into my solitary walke. Lisander, noble Lisander.
Lis.
Whatsoe're thou art,
That honourable attribute thou giv'st me,
I can pretend no right to: come not neare me,
I am infectious, the sanctity
Of thy profession (for thou appearest
A reverend Hermite) if thou flye not from me,
As from the plague or leprosie, cannot keep thee
From being polluted.
Lid.
With good counsell sir,
And holy prayers to boot I may cure you,
Though both wayes so infected. You look wildly,
Peace to your conscience sir, and stare upon me,
As if you never saw me: hath my habit
Alter'd my face so much, that yet you know not
Your servant Lidian?
Lis.
I am amaz'd!
So young, and so religious?
Lid.
I purpose (heaven make me thankfull for't) to leave the world:
I have made some triall of my strengths in this
My sollitarie life; and yet I finde not
A faintnesse to goe on.
Lis.
Above beliefe: doe you inhabit here?
Lid.
Mine owne free choise sir:
I live here poorely, but contentedly,
Because I finde enough to feed my fortunes;
Indeed too much: these wilde fields are my gardens,
The Chrystall Rivers they afford their waters,
And grudge not their sweet streams to quench afflictions;
The hollow rocks their beds, which thogh they are hard,
(The Emblemes of a doting lovers fortune)
Yet they are quiet; and the wearie slumbers
The eyes catch there, softer then beds of Down friend;
The Birds my Bell to call me to devotions;
My Book the story of my wandring life,
In which I finde more houres due to repentance
Then time hath told me yet.
Lis.
Answer me truely.
Lid.
I will doe that without a conjuration.
Lis.
Ith' depth of meditation doe you not
Sometimes think of Olinda?
Lid.
I endeavour
To raze her from my memorie, as I wish
You would doe the whole Sex, for know Lisander,
The greatest curse brave man can labour under,
Is the strong witch-craft of a womans eyes;
Where I finde men I preach this doctrine to 'em:
As you are a Scholler, knowledge make your Mistris,
The hidden beauties of the heavens your studie;
There shall you finde fit wonder for your faith,
And for your eye in immitable objects:
As you are a profess'd souldier, court your honour,
Though she be sterne, she is honest, a brave Mistris;
The greater danger you oppose to win her,
She shewes the sweeter, and rewards the nobler;
Womens best loves to hers meere shadowes be,
For after death she weds your memorie.
These are my contemplations.
Lis.
Heavenly ones;
And in a young man more remarkable.
But wherefore doe I envy, and not tread in
This blessed tract? here's in the heart no falshood
To a vow'd friend, no quarrells seconded
With Challenges, which answer'd in defence
Of the word Reputation, murther followes.
A man may here repent his sinnes, and though
His hand like mine be stain'd in bloud, it may be
With penitence and true contrition wash'd off;
You have prov'd it Lidian.
Lid.
And you'll finde it true, if you persevere.
Lis.
Here then ends my flight,
And here the furie of the King shall finde me
Prepar'd for heaven, if I am mark'd to dye;
For that I truely grieve for.
Enter Frier: and Clarange in Friers habit.
Frier.
Keep your selfe conceal'd, I am instructed.
Clar.
How the sight
Of my deare friend confirmes me?
Lis.
What are these?
Lid.
Two reverend Friers, one I know.
Fri.
To you
This journey is devoted.
Lid.
Welcome Father.
Fri.
I know your resolution so well grounded,
And your adiew unto the world so constant,
That though I am th'unwilling messenger
Of a strange accident to trie your temper,
It cannot shake you. You had once a friend,
A noble friend, Clarange.
Lid.
And have still, I hope good father.
Fri.
Your false hopes deceive you,
Hee's dead.
Lis.
Clarange dead?
Fri.
I buried him.
Some said he dy'd of melancholy, some of love,
And of that fondnesse perish'd.
Lid.
O Clarange.
Clar.
Hast thou so much brave nature, noble Lidian,
So tenderly to love thy rivalls memorie?
The bold Lisander weeps too.
Fri.
I expected that you would beare this better.
Lid.
I am a man sir, and my great losse weigh'd duly—
Fri.
His last words were
After Confession, live long deare Lidian,
Possest of all thy wishes; and of me
89
That with my best care, I should seek and finde you,
And from his dying mouth prevaile so with you,
That you a while should leave your Hermites strictnesse,
And on his monument pay a teare, or two,
To witnesse how you lov'd him.
Lid.
O my heart! to witnesse how I lov'd him? would he had not
Lead me unto his grave, but sacrific'd
His sorrowes upon mine, he was my friend,
My noble friend, I will bewayle his ashes,
His fortunes and poore mine were born together,
And I will weep 'em both: I will kneele by him,
And on his hallow'd earth doe my last duties.
Ile gather all the pride of spring to deck him,
Wood-bines shall grow upon his honour'd grave;
And as they prosper claspe to shew our friendship,
And when they wither Ile die too.
Clar.
Who would not
Desire to dye, to be bewaild thus nobly?
Fri.
There is a Legacy he hath bequeath'd you;
But of what value I must not discover,
Untill those Rites and pious Ceremonies
Are duly tender'd.
Lid.
I am too full of sorrow to be inquisitive
Lis.
To think of his
I doe forget mine owne woes.
Enter Alcidon.
Alc.
Graze thy fill, now
Thou hast done thy businesse; ha? who have we here?
Lisander, Lidian? and two reverend Friers?
What a strange Scene of sorrow is exprest
In different postures, in their looks and station?
A common Painter eying these, to helpe
His dull invention, might draw to the life
The living sonnes of Priam, as they stood
On the pale walls of Troy, when Hector fell
Under Achilles Speare: I come too late,
My horse, though good and strong, mov'd like a Tortoise:
Ill newes had wings, and hath got here before me.
All Pythagoreans? not a word?
Lid.
O Alcidon—
Deep rivers with soft murmures glide along
The shallow roare: Clarange!
Lis.
Cloridon? Chrysanthes? spare my grief, and apprehend
What I should speak.
Alc.
Their fates I have long since
For your sake mourn'd; Clarange's death, for so
Your silence doth confirme, till now I heard not:
Are these the bounds that are prescrib'd unto
The swelling seas of sorrow?
Lis.
The bounds Alcidon?
Can all the windes of mischiefe from all quarters,
Euphrates, Ganges, Tigris, Volga, Po,
Paying at once their tribute to this Ocean,
Make it swell higher? I am a murtherer,
Banish'd, proscrib'd, is there ought else that can
Be added to it?
Lid.
I have lost a friend,
Priz'd dearer then my being, and he dead
My misery's at the height contemne the worst
Of fortunes malice.
Alc.
How our humane weaknesse,
Growne desperate from small disasters makes us
Imagine them a period to our sorrowes,
When the first syllable of greater woes
Is not yet written.
Lid.
How?
Lis.
Speak it at large,
Since griefe must break my heart, I am ambitious
It should be exquisite.
Alc.
It must be told,
Yet e're you heare it, with all care put on
The surest Armour anvil'd in the shop
Of passive fortitude; the good Cleander
Your friend is murther'd.
Lis.
'Tis a terrible pang.
And yet it will not doe, I live yet, act not
The tortrers part; if that there be a blow
Beyond this, give it, and at once dispatch me.
Alc.
Your sword dyed in his heart-bloud was found near him
Your private conference at mid-night urg'd
With faire Caliste; which by her whose pure truth,
Would never learne to tell a lie, being granted,
She by inrag'd Beronte is accus'd
Of murther and adulterie, and you
(However I dare sweare it false) concluded
Her principall agent.
Lid.
Wave upon wave rowles o're me.
My sister? my deare sister?
Clar.
Hold great heart.
Fri.
Teare open his Doublet.
Lis.
Is this wound too narrow
For my life to get out at? Bring me to
A Cannon loaded, and some pittying friend
Give fire unto it, while I nayle my breast
Unto his thundring mouth, that in the instant,
I may be peece-meale torne, and blowne so far,
As not one joynt of my dismember'd limbes
May ever be by search of man found out.
Cleander! Yet why name I him? however
His fall deserv'd an earth-quake, if compar'd
With what true honour in Caliste suffers,
Is of no moment; my good Angel keep me
From blasphemy, and strike me dumb before
In th'agony of my spirit, I doe accuse
The powers above, for their unjust permission
Of vertue, innocent vertue, to be branded
With the least vitious marke.
Clar.
I never saw a man so far transported.
Alc.
Give it way, 'tis now no time to stop it.
Lanc.
Sir, I have bought
Enter Lancelot.
Fresh horses; and as you respect your life
Speedily back 'em; the Archers of the Kings guard,
Are every where in quest of you.
Lis.
My life?
Perish all such with thee that wish it longer
Strikes Lancelot.
Let it but cleare Caliste's innocence,
And Nestors age to mine was youth, Ile flye
To meet the rage of my incensed King,
And wish his favourites ghost appear'd in flames,
To urge him to revenge, let all the tortures
That tyranny ever found out circle me,
Provided justice set Caliste free.
Ex. Lisander, Alcidon & Lancelot.
Alc.
Ile follow him.
Lid.
I am rooted here
Fri.
Remember your dear friends last request, your sisters dangers,
With the aides that you may lend her.
Lid.
Pray you support me,
My legs deny their office.
Clar.
I grow still
Farther engag'd unto his matchlesse vertues,
And I am dead indeed, untill I pay
The debt I owe him in a noble way.
Exeunt.
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