 | The Queene of Corinth |  |
Actus Tertius.
Scæna Prima.
Enter Theanor and Crates.Cra.
Why Sir, the Kingdomes his, and no man now
Can come to Corinth, or from Corinth goe
Without his Licence; he puts up the tithes
Of every Office through Achaia;
From Courtier to the Carter hold of him:
Our Lands, our Liberties, nay very lives
Are shut up in his Closet, and let loose
But at his pleasure; Bookes, and all discourse
Have now no Patron, nor direction,
But glorifi'd Euphanes: our Cups are guilty
That quench our thirsts, if not unto his health:
Oh, I could eat my heart, and fling away
My very soule for anguish: gods, nor men
Should tollerate such disproportion.
The.
And yet is he belov'd: whether't be vertue,
Or seeming vertue which he makes the cloake
To his ambition.
Cra.
Be it which it will:
Your Highnesse is to tame, your eyes too film'd
To see this, and sit still: the Lion should not
Tremble to heare the bellowing of the Bull;
Nature excuse me, though he be my Brother,
You are my Countries Father, therefore mine:
One paralell line of Love I bend on him,
All lines of love and duty meet in you
As in their Center: therefore heare, and weigh
What I shall speake: You know the Queen your Mother
Did from a private state your Father raise,
So all your Royalty you hold from her;
She is older then she was, therefore more doating,
And what know we but blindnesse of her love
11
Set, even Euphanes foot, on fortunes head)
Will take him by the hand, and cry, Leap now
Into my bed; 'tis but a trick of age;
Nothing impossible.
The.
What do you infer on this?
Cra.
Your pardon Sir:
With reverence to the Queen; yet why should I
Feare to speak plaine what pointeth to your good?
A good old Widow is a hungry thing,
(I speak of other Widows, not of Queens.)
The.
Speak to thy purpose.
Cra.
I approach it: Sir,
Should young Euphanes claspe the Kingdome thus,
And please the good old Lady some one night;
What might not she be wrought to put on you,
Quite to supplant your birth? neither is she
Past children, as I take it.
The.
Crates, Thou shak'st me;
Thou, that dost hate thy Brother for my love,
In my love finde one; henceforth be my brother:
This Gyant I will fell beneath the earth;
I will shine out, and melt his artfull wings:
Euphanes, from my mothers sea of favours
Spreads like a River, and runs calmly on,
Secure yet from my stormes; like a young pine
He growes up planted under a faire Oake,
Whose strong large branches yet do's shelter him,
And every Traveller admires his beauty;
But like a winde, ile work into his crancks,
Trouble his streame, and drowne all Vessells that
Ride on his Greatnesse: under my mothers armes,
Like to a stealing tempest will I search,
And rend his root from her protection.
Cra.
I, now Theanor speaks like Prince Theanor.
The.
But how shall we provoke him to our snares?
He has a temper malice cannot move
To exceed the bounds of judgement; he is so wise,
That we can pick no cause to affront him.
Cra.
No?
What better then his crossing your intent?
The suit I had to ye? Conons forfeit state
(Before he travel'd) for a Riot, he
Hath from your Mother got restor'd to him:
The.
Durst he? What is this Conon?
Cra.
One that hath,
As people say, in forraigne pleasur'd him.
Enter Onos, Uncle, Tutor, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton.
But now no more;
They have brought the Travellors I told you of,
That's the sweet youth, that is my Brothers Rivall,
That curles his head, for he has little haire,
And paints his vizor, for it is no face,
That so desires to follow you, my Lord:
Show 'em some countenance, and it will beget
Our sport at least.
The.
What villanous Crab-tree legs he makes?
His shins are full of true-love knots.
Cra.
His leggs were ever villanous, since I knew him.
Era.
Faith his Uncle shanks are somewhat the better.
Nea.
But is't possible he should believe he is not of age? why
He is 50. man, in's Jubile I warrant: s'light, he
Looks older then a groat, the very stamp on's face is
Worne out with handling.
Sos.
Why I tell you all men believe it when they heare him speake,
He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice.
Nea.
He looks as like a fellow that I have seen accommodate
Gentlemen with Tobacco in our Theaters.
Onos.
Most illustrious Prince.
Era.
A pox on him, he is guelt, how he trebles?
Onos.
I am a Gentleman a both sides.
Tut.
He meanes (so't please your highnesse) both by Father & Mother.
Sos.
Thou a Gentleman? thou an Asse.
Nea.
He is nere the farther from being a Getl. I assure you.
Tut.
May it please your Grace, I am another.
Nea.
He is another Asse he saies, I believe him.
Uncle.
We be three, Heroicall Prince.
Nea.
Nay then we must have the Picture of 'em, and the
Word Nos sumus.
Tut.
That have travail'd all parts of the Globe together.
Unc.
For my part, I have seen the vicissitude of fortune
before.
Onos.
Peace Uncle, for though you speak a little better then I—
Nea.
'Tis a very little, in truth.
Onos.
Yet we must both give place, as they say, to the best Speaker
The Tutor.
Tut.
Yet since it hath pleas'd your radience to decline so low, as on us,
Poore and unworthy dunghils.—
Nea.
What a stinking knaves this?
Tut.
Our Perigrination was nere so felicitated, as since we
enter'd the line of your gracious favour, under whose beamy
aspect, and by which infallible Mathematicall compasse,
may we but hereafter presume to saile, our industries
have reach't their desir'd termination and period; and we
shall voluntarily sacrifice our lives to your resplendent
eyes, both the Altars and fires of our devoted offrings.
Onos.
Oh divine Tutor!
Cra.
Can you hold Sir?
Era.
He ha's spoken this very speech to some Whore in Corinth.
Nea.
A plague on him for a fustian Dictionary; on my
conscience this is the Ulissean Travellor that sent home
his Image riding upon Elephants to the great Magoll.
Sos.
The same: his wit is so huge, nought but an Elephant
could carry him.
Era.
So heavy you meane.
Nea.
These three, are ev'n the finest one foole tripartite,
that was ere discovered.
Sos.
Or a Treatise of famine divided into three branches.
Era.
The Prince speakes.
The.
I thank ye for your loves; but as I told you,
I have so little meanes, to do for those
Few followers I have already, that
I would have none shiprack themselves, and fortune,
Upon my barren shelf: Sue to Euphanes.
For he is Prince, and Queen, I would have no man
Curse me in his old age.
Cra.
Alas Sir, they desire to follow you
But a farre off, the farther off the better.
Tut.
I Sir, and't be seven mile off, so we may but follow
you, onely to countenance us in the confronts and affronts,
which (according to your Highnesse will) we
meane on all occasions to put upon the Lord Euphanes.
Onos.
He shall not want gibing nor jeeriug, I warrant
him; if he do, i'le forsweare wit.
Nea.
It has forsworne thee, 'ile sweare, it is the ancient
enemy to thy house.
The.
Well, be it so; I here receive ye, for my followers
a great way off.
Nea.
Seven miles, my Lord, no further.
Onos.
By what time, Sir, (by this measure) may I come
to follow him in his Chamber?
Nea.
Why when his Chamber, Sir, is seven miles long.
Enter Euphanes, Conon, Page, Gent. Attendants.
Gent.
Make way there, for my Lord Euphanes.
12
Looke Sir, Jove appeares,
The Peacock of our State, that spreads a traine
Brighter then Iris blushes after raine.
Euph.
You need not thank me Conon, in your love
You Antidated what I can do for you,
And I in gratitude was bound to this,
And am to much more: and what ere he be
Can with unthankfulnesse assoile me, let him
Dig out mine eyes, and sing my name in verse,
In Ballad verse at every drinking-house,
And no man be so charitable to lend me
A Dogg to guide my steps.
Nea.
Haile to Euphanes.
Sos.
Mighty Euphanes.
Era.
The great Prince Euphanes.
Tut.
Key of the Court, and Jewell of the Queene.
Unc.
Sol in our Firmament.
Onos.
Pearl in the States eye.
Nea.
Being a black man.
Era.
Mistris of the Land.
Nea.
Our humble, humble poore Petitions are,
That we may hold our places.
All.
May we?
Euph.
Yes; be you malicious knaves still: and you fooles.
Con.
This is the Princes, and your Brothers spight.
Euph.
I know't, but will not know't it.
Con.
Yonder they are,
Who's fine childe's this?
Unc.
Sir.
Onos.
Unckle, le' be,
Let him alone, he is a mighty Prince.
Euph.
I aske your Highnesse pardon: I protest
By Jupiter I saw you not.
The.
Humh, it may be so,
You have rais'd such mountaines 'twixt your eyes and me,
That I am hidden quite: what do ye meane Sir?
You much forget your selfe.
Euph.
I should much more,
Not to remember my due duty to your Grace;
I know not wherein I have so transgress'd
My service to your Highnesse, to deserve
This rigour and contempt, not from you only
But from your followers, with the best of whom
I was an equall in my lowest ebbe:
Beseech you Sir, respect me as a Gentleman,
I will be never more in heart to you:
Five faire Discents I can derive my selfe,
From Fathers worthy both in Arts and Armes.
I know your goodnesse companies your greatnesse
But that you are perverted: Royall Sir,
I am your humblest subject, use your pleasure,
But do not give protection to the wrongs
Of these subordinate Slaves, whom I could crush
By that great destin'd favour, which my Mistris
And your majestick Mother deignes to me,
But in respect of you: I know leane envie
Waites ever on the steps of vertue advanc'd:
But why your Mothers grace gets me disgrace,
Or renders me a slave to beare these wrongs
I do not know.
Oh Mediocrity,
Thou prizelesse jewell, only meane men have
But cannot value; like the precious Jem,
Found in the Mukhill by the ignorant Cock.
The.
Your creamy words but cozen: how durst you
Intercept me so lately to my Mother?
And what I meant your Brother, you obtain'd
Unto the forfeiture againe.
Cra.
Your answer to that my Lord, my Brother.
Euph.
May I perish
If ere I heard you intended such a Suit,
Though 'twould have stuck an ignominious brand
Vpon your Highnesse, to have given your servant
A Gentlemans whole state of worth and quality,
Confiscate only for a youthfull brawle.
The.
Your rudiments are too sawcy: teach your Page.
Con.
I, so are all things but your flatterers.
Onos.
Hold you your prating.
Con.
You know where you are, you fleeten face.
Euph.
Yet Sir to appease and satisfie your anger,
Take what you please from me, and give it him
In lieu of this: you shall not take it neither,
I freely will impart it, halfe my state,
Which Brother if you please—
Cra.
Ile starve in Chaines first,
Eat my owne armes.
Euph.
Oh that you saw your selfe:
You ne're made me such offer in my poorenesse,
And 'cause (to do you ease) I sought not to you
You thus maligne me; yet your nature must not
Corrupt mine, nor your rude examples lead me:
If mine can mend you, I shall joy; you know
I feare you not: you have seene me prov'd a man
In every way of fortune, 'tis my comfort
I know no more such Brothers in the world
As Crates is.
Con.
Nor I such as Euphanes:
The temper of an Angell raignes in thee.
Euph.
Your Royall Mother Sir, (I had forgot)
Entreates your presence.
The.
You have done her errand,
I may do yours.
Exit.
Euph.
Let it be truth my Lord.
Con.
Crates, ile question you for this.
Cra.
Pish, your worst.
Exit.
Con.
Away you hounds after your sent.
Onos.
Come, we'l scorn to talk to'm: now they are gone,
We'l away too.
Exeunt.
Con.
Why beare you this my Lord?
Euph.
To shew the passive fortitude the best;
Vertues a solid Rock, whereat being aym'd
The keenest darts of envie, yet unhurt
Her Marble Heroes stand, built of such Bases,
Whilst they recoyle, and wound the Shooters faces.
Enter Queene and Ladies.
Con.
My Lord, the Queene.
Quee.
Gentle Euphanes, how,
How do'st thou honest Lord? oh how I joy
To see what I have made, like a choyce Workman,
That having fram'd a Master-peece, doth reape
An universall comendations.
Princes are Gods in this. Ile build thee yet,
(The good foundation so pleases me)
A story or two higher; let Doggs barke,
They are fooles that hold them dignifi'd by blood,
They should be only made great that are good.
Euph.
Oraculous Madam.
Quee.
Sirrah, I was thinking
If I should marry thee, what merry tales
Our neighbour Islands would make of us;
But let that passe, you have a Mistris
That would forbid our Banes: troth I have wish'd
A thousand times that I had been a man,
Then I might fit a day with thee alone,
And talke,
But as I am I must not; there's no skill
13
Sirrah, who's that?
Euph.
So't please your Majesty
Conon, the friend I su'd for.
Quee.
'Tis dispatch'd.
Con.
Gracious Madam,
I owe the gods and you my life.
Quee.
I thanke you,
I thank you heartily; and I do think you
A very honest man, he sayes you are:
But now ile chide thee; what's the cause my Son,
For my eye's every where, and I have heard,
So insolently do's thee Contume lies
Past sufferance (I am told) yet you complaine not,
As if my justice were so partiall
As not to right the meanest: credit me,
Ile call him to a strict accompt, and fright
By his example, all that dare curb me
In any thing that's just: I sent you for him.
Euph.
Humbly he did returne, he would wait on you:
But let me implore your Majesty, not to give
His Highnesse any check, for worthlesse me;
They are Court canckers, and not Counsellors
That thus informe you: they do but hate the Prince,
And would subvert me: I should curse my fortune
Even at the highest, to be made the ginne
To unscrew a Mothers love unto her Son:
Better had my pale flame in humble shades
Been spent unseene, then to be rais'd thus high,
Now to be thought a meteor to the State,
Portending ruine and contagion:
Beseech you then rest satisfi'd, the Prince
Is a most noble natur'd Gentleman,
And never did to me but what I tooke
As favours from him, my blown billowes must not
Strive 'gainst my shore, that should confine me; nor
Justle with Rocks to break themselves to peeces.
Quee.
Well, thou'rt the composition of a god:
My Lion, Lamb, my Eaglet, and my Dove,
Whose soule runs clearer then Dianas Fount,
Nature pick'd severall flowers from her choyce banks
And bound 'em up in thee, sending thee forth
A Posie for the bosome of a Queene.
Lady.
The Prince attends you.
Quee.
Farewell my good Lord,
My honest man; Stay, hast no other suit?
I prethee tell me; Sirrah, thine eye speakes
As if thou hadst: out with it modest foole.
Euph.
With favour Madam, I would crave your leave
To Marry, where I am bound in gratitude,
The immediat meanes she was to all my being:
Nor do I think your wisedome sacred Queen
Fetters in favours, taking from me so
The liberty that meanest men enjoy.
Quee.
To marry? you are a foole: thou'st anger'd me:
Leave me, ile think on't:
Exit Euph. and Conon.
Only to try thee this, for though I love thee,
Enter Theanor.
I can subdue my selfe: but she that can
Enjoy thee, doth enjoy more then a man.
Nay rise without a blessing, or kneele still:
What's Sir the reason you oppose me thus,
And seeke to darken what I would have shine?
Ecclipse a fire much brighter then thy selfe,
Making your Mother not a competent Judge
Of her owne actions?
The.
Gracious Madam, I
I have done no more then what in royalty
(And to preserve your fame) was fit to do:
Heard you the peoples talke of you, and him
You favour so, his greatnesse, and your love,
The pitty given to me, you would excuse me,
They prate as if he did dishonour you:
And what know I, but his owne lavish tongue
Has utter'd some such speeches; he is call'd
The King of Corinth.
Quee.
They are traitors all:
I weare a Christall casement 'fore my heart,
Through which each honest eye may looke in to't:
Let it be prospect unto all the world,
I care not this.
The.
This must not be my way;
Your pardon gracious Madam: these incitements
Made me not shew so cleare a countenance
Upon the Lord Euphanes as I would:
Which since your Majesty affects so grievously
Ile cleare the black cloud of it, and henceforth
Uow on this knee all love and grace to him.
Quee.
Rise with my blessing, and to prove this true,
Beare him from me this Cabinet of Jewells
In your owne person, tell him, for his marrying
He may dispose him how, and when he please.
Exit Quee.
The.
I shall discharge my duty and your will.
Crates?
Enter Crates.
Cro.
I have heard all my Lord, how luckely
Fate pops her very spindle in our hands:
This marriage with Beliza you shall crosse,
Then have I one attempt for Lamprias more
Upon this Phaeton: where's Merione's Ring,
That in the Rape you tooke from her?
The.
'Tis here.
Cra.
In and effect our purpose: you my Lord
Shall disobey your Mothers charge, and fend
This Cabinet by some servant of her owne,
That what succeeds may have no reference
Unto your Highnesse.
The.
On, my engine on.
Cra.
Now, if we be not struck by Heavens owne hand,
We'l ruine him, and on his ruines stand.
Exeunt.
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Agenor, Leonidas, Merione, Beliza.A sad Song.
Ag.
These heavie Ayres feed sorrow in her Lady,
And nourish it too strongly; like a Mother
That spoiles her Childe with giving on't the will.
Bel.
Some lighter note.
A lighter Song.
Leo.
How like a hill of Snow she sits, and melts
Before the unchast fire of others lust?
What heart can see her passion and not break?
Ag.
Take comfort gentle Madam; you know well
Even actuall sins committed without will,
Are neither sins nor shame, much more compell'd;
Your Honour's no whit lesse, your Chastity
No whit impair'd, for faire Merione
Is more a Virgin yet then all her Sex:
Alas, 'tis done; why burne these Tapers now?
Wicked and frantick Creatures joy in night.
Leo.
Imagine faire Merione had dream'd
She had been ravish'd, would she sit thus then
Excruciate?
Mer.
Oh.
Bel.
Fye, fye, how fond is this?
What reason for this surfet of remorse?
How many that have done ill, and proceed,
Women that take degrees in wantonnesse,
14
That feele no scruple of this tendernesse?
Mer.
Pish.
Bel.
Nor are you matches in mishap, even I
Doe beare an equall part of misery;
That love, belov'd, a man, the Crowne of men,
Whom I have friended, and how rais'd 'tis better
That all doe know and speak it then my selfe:
When he sail'd low I might have made him mine,
Now at his full gale, it is questionable
If ever I o're-take him.
Ag.
Wherefore sits
My Phebe shadowed in a sable cloud?
Those pearly drops which thou lets't fall like beades,
Numbring on them thy vestall Orisons
Alas are spent in vaine: I love thee still,
In mid'st of all these showres thou sweetlier sent'st,
Like a green Meadow on an April day,
In which the Sun and West-wind play together,
Striving to catch and drink the balmy drops.
Enter Euphanes and Servant.
Ser.
The Lord Euphanes Madam.
Exit Mer.
Ag.
Poore Merione,
She loathes the light, and men.
Exit.
Euph.
The vertuous gods preserve my Mistris.
Bel.
O my most honour'd Lord, those times are chang'd.
Euph.
Let times and men change, could Heaven change, Euphanes
Should never change, to be devoted ever
To faire Beliza, should my load of honours,
Or any Grace which you were Author of
Detract mine honour, and diminish Grace?
The gods forbid: you here behold your Servant,
Your Creature, gentle Lady, whose sound sleepes
You purchas'd for him: whose food you paid for,
Whose garments were your charge, whose first preferment
You founded: then, what since the gracious Queene
Hath, or can reare, is upon your free Land,
And you are Mistris of.
Bel.
Mock me not gentle Lord,
You shine now in too high a spheare for me,
We are Plannets now disjoyn'd for ever: yet
Poore superstitious innocent that I am,
Give leave that I may lift my hands, and love
Not in Idolatry, but perfect zeale:
For credit me, I repent nothing I have done,
But were it to begin would do the same.
Euph.
There are two Seas in Corinth, and two Queens,
And but there, not two such in the spacious Universe;
I came to tender you the man you have made,
And like a thankfull streame to retribute
All you my Ocean have enrich'd me with.
You told me once you'ld marry me.
Bel.
Another mock? you were wont to play faire play,
You scorne poore helps; he that is sure to win,
May slight mean harts, whose hand commands the Queen
Euph.
Let me be held the Knave through all the Stock
When I doe slight my Mistris; you know well
The gracious inclination of the Queene,
Who sent me leave this morning to proceed
To marry, as I saw convenience,
And a great gift of Jewels: Three daies hence
The generall sacrifice is done to Vesta,
And can you by then be accommodated
Your servant shall wait on you to the Temple.
Bel.
Till now
I never felt a reall joy indeed.
Euph.
Here then I seale my duty, here my love,
Till which vouchsafe to weare this Ring, deare Mistris;
Twas the Queens Token, and shall celebrate
Our Nuptialls.
Bel.
Honour still raise, and preserve
My honour'd Lord, as he preserves all honour.
Exit Euph.
Enter Agenor, Leonidas, Merione.
Ag.
Why shift you places thus Merione,
And will not lend a word? Could'st thou so soone
Leave sorrow as the place, how blest were I,
But 'twill not be; griefe is an impudent guest,
A follower every where, a hanger on,
That words nor blowes can drive away.
Leo.
Deare Sister.
Bel.
Who can be sad? out with these Tragick Lights,
And let day repossesse her naturall howres:
Teare downe these blacks, cast ope' the Casements wide,
That we may jocondly behold the Sun.
I did partake with sad Merione
In all her mourning: let her now rejoyce
With glad Beliza, for Euphanes is
As full of love, full of humility
As when he wanted.
Mer.
Oh—that.
Leo.
Help, she faints:
Her griefe has broke her heart.
Mer.
No—that—that.
Ag.
Mistris, what point you at?
Her lamps are out, yet still she extends her hand
As if she saw something antipathous
Unto her vertuous life.
Leo.
Still, still she points,
And her lips move, but no articulate sound
Breathes from 'em: Sister, speak, what moves you thus?
Bel.
Her spirits returne.
Mer.
Oh, hide that fatall Ring,
Where had it you Beliza?
Bel.
What hid fate
Depends on it? Euphanes gave it me
As holy pledge of future Marriage.
Mer.
Then is Euphanes the foule Ravisher?
Let me speake this and dye. That dismall night
Which seal'd my shame upon me, was that Ring,
The partner of my rob'd virginity.
Leo.
Euphanes?
Ag.
Strange.
Bel.
Impossible.
Mer.
Impossible to have redresse on him,
Chiefe servant to the Queene—ha! I have read
Somewhere I am sure, of such an injury
Done to a Lady: and how she durst dye.
Exit.
Ag.
Oh follow her Beliza
Bel.
To assure her,
The unlikelihood of this
Ag.
Love hides all sins.
Exit.
What's to be done Leonidas?
Leo.
Why this:
Amazement takes up all my faculties;
The plagues of gods and men will muster all
To avenge this tyranny. Oh frontlesse man,
To dare doe ill, and hope to beare it thus:
First let's implore, then cure.
Ag.
Who, who can trust
The gentle lookes and words of two-fac'd man?
Like Corinths double torrent, you and I
Will rush upon the Land; nor shall the Queene
Defend this Villaine in his villany:
Lusts violent flames can never be withstood
Nor quench'd, but with as violent streames of blood.
Exeunt.
| The Queene of Corinth | |