 | The Queene of Corinth |  |
Actus Quintus.
Scæna Prima.
Enter Crates, Euphanes, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton.Euph.
I have won the Lady to it, and that good
Which is intended to her, your faith onely
And secrecie must make perfect: Thinke not Sir,
I speake as doubting it, for I dare hazard
My soule upon the tryall.
Cra.
You may safely,
But are Agenor, and Leonidas ready
To rush upon him in the Act, and seize him
In the height of his security?
Euph.
At all parts
As you could wish them.
Cra.
Where's the Lady?
Euph.
There
Where you appointed her to stay.
Cra.
'Tis wisely order'd.
Euph.
Last, when you have him sure compell him this way,
For as by accident here ile bring the Queene
To meet you, 'twill strike greater terrour to him,
To be tane unprovided of excuse,
And make more for our purposes.
Exit.
Cra.
Come Neanthes,
Our fames and all are at the stake.
Nea.
'Tis fit
That since relying on your skill we venture
So much upon one game, you play with cunning
Enter Theanor.
Or we shall rise such losers: as—
Sos.
The Prince.
Cra.
The plot is laid Sir, howsoe're I seem'd
A little scrupulous, upon better judgement
I have effected it.
The.
'Tis the last service
Of this foule kinde I will employ you in.
Cra.
We hope so Sir.
The.
And I will so reward it—
Nea.
You are bound to that; in every Family
That do's write lustfull, your fine Bawd gaines more
(For like your Broker, he takes fees on both sides)
Then all the Officers of the house.
Sos.
For us then
To be a great mans Panders, and live poore,
That were a double fault.
Cra.
Come, you lose time Sir,
We will be with you instantly: the deed done,
We have a Mask that you expect not.
The.
Thou art ever carefull: for Joves Mercury
I would not change thee.
Exit.
Era.
There's an honour for you.
Nea.
To be compar'd with the celestiall Pimp,
Joves smock-sworne Squire, Dan Hermes.
Cra,
Ile deserve it,
And Gentlemen be assur'd, though what we do now
Will to the Prince Theanor looke like treason
And base disloyalty, yet the end shall prove,
When he's first taught to know himselfe, then you,
In what he judg'd us false we were must true.
Exeunt.
Scæna Secunda.
Enter Euphanes, Agenor, Leonidas, Conon.Euph.
Only make haste (my Lords) in all things else
You are instructed: you may draw your swords
For shew if you thinke good, but on my life
You will finde no resistance in his servants,
And he's himselfe unarm'd.
Ag.
I would he were not,
My just rage should not then be lost.
Euph.
Good Sir,
Have you a care no injury be done
Unto the Person of the Prince: but Conon,
Have you an eye on both, it is your trust
That I relye on.
Con.
Which I will discharge,
Assure your selfe most faithfully.
Euph.
For the Lady,
I know your best respect will nor be wanting:
Then to avoyd suspition and discovery,
I hold it requisite, that as soone as ever
The Queene hath seene her, she forsake the place,
And fit her selfe for that which is projected
For her good, and your honour.
Leo.
If this prosper,
Beleeve it you have made a purchase of
My service and my life.
Euph.
Your love I ayme at.
Leo.
Here I shall finde you?
20
With the Queene.
Con.
Enough Sir.
Exit.
Enter Page.
Page.
The Queene enquires for you my Lord, I have met
A dozen Messengers in search of you.
Enter Queene, Ladies, Attendants.
Euph.
I knew I should be sought for, as I wish'd
She's come her selfe in person.
Quee.
Are you found Sir?
I wonder where you spend your houres, me thinkes
Since I so love your company, and professe
'Tis the best comfort this life yeelds me; mine
Should not be tedious to you.
Euph.
Gracious Madam,
To have the happinesse to see and heare you,
Which by your bounty is conferr'd upon me,
I hold so great a blessing, that my honours
And wealth compar'd to that are but as Cyphers
To make that number greater: yet your pardon
For borrowing from my duty so much time
As the provision for my sudden Marriage
Exacted from me.
Quee.
I perceive this Marriage
Will keepe you often from me: but ile beare it.
She's a good Lady, and a faire, Euphanes,
Yet by her leave I will share with her in you:
I am pleas'd that in the night she shall enjoy you,
And that's sufficient for a Wife: the day time
I will divorce you from her.
Leo.
within.
We will force you if you resist.
Queen.
What noyce is that?
The.
within.
Base Traytors.
Euph.
It moves this way.
Enter Agenor, Leonidas with Theanor, Merione like Beliza, Conon, Crates, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton, Guard.
Quee.
What ere it be ile meet it,
I was not borne to feare: Who's that Beliza?
Euph.
My worthiest, noblest Mistris.
Exit.
Quee.
Stay her, ha?
All of you looke as you were rooted here,
And wanted motion: what new Gorgons head
Have you beheld, that you are all turn'd Statues?
This is prodigious: ha's none a tongue
To speake the cause?
Leo.
Could every haire great Queene
Upon my head yeeld an articulate sound,
And all together speake, they could not yet
Expresse the villany we have discover'd,
And yet, when with a few unwilling words
I have deliver'd what must needs be knowne,
You'l say I am too eloquent, and wish
I had been borne without a tongue.
Quee.
Speak boldly,
For I unmov'd with any losse will heare.
Leo.
Then know, we have found out the Ravisher
Of my poore Sister, and the place, and meanes
By which th'unfortunate though faire Beliza
Hath met a second violence.
Euph.
This confirmes
What but before I doubted, to my ruine
My Lady ravish'd.
Quee.
Point me out the villaine,
That guilty wretched monster that hath done this,
That I may looke on him, and in mine eye
He read his Sentence.
Leo.
That I truly could
Name any other but the Prince, that heard
You have it all.
Queen.
Wonder not that I shake,
The miracle is greater that I live,
Having endur'd the thunder that thy words
Have throwne upon me: dar'st thou kneele, with hope
Of any favour, but a speedy death,
And that too in the dreadfull'st shape that can
Appeare to a dispairing leaprous soule,
If thou hast any? no, libidinous beast,
Thy Lust hath alter'd so thy former being,
By Heaven I know thee not.
The.
Although unworthy
Yet still I am your Son.
Quee.
Thou lyest, lyest falsly,
My whole life never knew but one chaste bed,
Nor e're desir'd warmth but from lawful fires,
Can I be then the Mother to a Goat,
Whose lust is more insatiate then the grave,
And like infectious ayre engenders plagues,
To murder all that's chaste, or good in woman?
The gods I from my youth have serv'd and fear'd,
Whose holy Temples thou hast made thy Brothells;
Could a Religious Mother then bring forth
So damn'd an Atheist? read but o're my life,
My actions, manners, and made perfect in them
But looke into the story of thy selfe
As thou art now, not as thou wert Theanor,
And Reason will compell thee to confesse,
Thou art a stranger to me.
Ag.
Note but how heavie
The weight of guilt is: it so low hath sunke him
That he wants power to rise up in defence
Of his bad cause.
Quee.
Perswade me not Euphanes,
This is no Prince, nor can claime part in me:
My Son was borne a Free-man, this a Slave
To beastly passions, a Fugitive,
And run-away from vertue: bring bonds for him.
By all the honour that I owe to Justice
He loses me for ever that seekes to save him:
Binde him I say, and like a wretch that knowes
He stands condemn'd before he heares the Sentence,
With his base Agents, from my sight remove him,
And lodge them in the Dungeon: As a Queene
And Patronesse to Justice I command it:
Thy teares are like unseasonable showres,
And in my heart now steel'd can make no entrance:
Thou art cruell to thy selfe (Foole) 'tis not want
In me of soft compassion; when thou left'st
To be a Son, I ceas'd to be a Mother;
Away with them: The children I will leave
To keepe my name to all posterities
Shall be the great examples of my Justice,
The government of my Country, which shall witnesse
How well I rul'd my selfe: bid the wrong'd Ladies
Appeare in Court to morrow, we will heare them;
And by one Act of our severity
For feare of punishment, or love to vertue,
Teach others to be honest: all will shun
To tempt her Lawes, that would not spare her Son.
Exe.
Scæna Tertia.
Enter Onos, Unckle, and Tutor.Unc.
Nay Nephew.
Tut.
Pupill, heare but reason.
On.
No, I have none, and will heare none; oh my honor,
My honour blasted in the bud, my youth,
My hopefull youth, and all my expectation
Ever to be a man are lost for ever.
Unc.
Why Nephew, we as well as you are dub'd
21
Tut.
And are shouted at,
Kick'd, scorn'd, and laugh'd at by each Page and Groome,
Yet with erected heads we beare it.
Onos.
Alas,
You have yeares, and strength to doe it; but were you
(As I) a tender grisle, apt to bow,
You would like me with Cloakes envelloped,
Walke thus, then stamp, then stare.
Unc.
He will run mad
I hope, and then all's mine.
Tut.
Why looke you Pupill,
There are for the recovery of your honour
Degrees of Medicines, for a tweak by the Nose
A man's to travell but fixe moneths, then blow it
And all is well againe: the Bastinado
Requires a longer time, a yeare or two,
And then 'tis buried: I grant you have been bafful'd,
'Tis but a journey of some thirty yeares
And it will be forgotten.
Onos.
Thinke you so?
Tut.
Assuredly.
Unc.
He may make a shorter cut,
But hange, or drowne himselfe, and on my life
'Twill no more trouble him.
Onos.
I could ne're endure
Or Hemp or Water, they are dangerous tooles
For youth to deale with: I will rather follow
My Tutors counsell.
Tut.
Do so.
Onos.
And put in
For my security, that ile not returne
In thirty yeares, my whole state to my Unckle.
Unc.
That I like well of.
On.
Still provided Unckle,
That at my comming home you will allow me
To be of age, that I may call to accompt
This Page, that hath abus'd me.
Unc.
'Tis a march.
On.
Then Corinth, thus the bashfull Lamprias
Takes leave of thee: and for this little time
Of thirty yeares will labour all he can,
Though he goes yong forth, to come home a man.
Exeu.
Scæna Quarta.
Enter Euphanes and Martiall.Euph.
Are your Prisoners ready?
Mar.
When it shall please the Queene
To call them forth my Lord.
Euph.
Pray you doe me the favour
To tell me how they have borne themselves this night
Of their imprisonment?
Mar.
Gladly Sir; your Brother
With the other Courtiers willingly receiv'd
All courtesies I could offer; eat, and drank,
And were exceeding merry, so dissembling
Their guilt, or confident in their innocence,
That I much wonder'd at it. But the Prince,
That (as borne highest) should have grac'd his fall
With greatest courage, is so sunck with sorrow,
That to a common judgement ye would seeme
To suffer like a woman: but to me,
That from the experience I have had of many
Looke further in him, I doe finde the deep
Consideration of what's past, more fright him
Then any other punishment.
Euph.
That is indeed
True magnanimity: the other but
A desperate bastard vallour.
Mar.
I pressed to him,
And notwithstanding the Queenes strict command,
(Having your Lordships promise to secure me)
Offer'd to free him from his bonds, which he
Refus'd, with such a sorrow mixt with scorne
That it amaz'd me; yet I urg'd his Highnesse
To give one Reason for't: he briefly answer'd,
That he had sate in Judgement on himselfe,
And found that he deserv'd them: that he was
A Ravisher, and so to suffer like one,
Which is the reason of my teares: he addeth,
For were't not I againe should breake the Lawes,
By scorning all their rigour can inflict,
I should dye smiling.
Euph.
I forbeare to wonder
That you were mov'd that saw this: I am strooke
With the relation so. 'Tis very well;
See all things ready. I doe wish I could
Send comfort to the Prince; be ready with him;
'Tis in the Queenes breast only, which for us
Bar brought in
To search into were sawcinesse, to determine
What she thinkes fit.
Enter Leonidas with Merione (in white) Euphanes with Beliza (in black) Queene, Agenor, Conon, Martiall, with Theanor, Crates, Sosicles, Eraton. Lords, Ladies, Guard.
Lord.
Make way there for the Queene.
Quee.
Read first the Law, and what our Ancestors
Have in this case provided, to deter
Such like offenders: To you gentle Ladies
This onely, Would I could as well give comfort,
As bid you be secure from feare or doubt
Of our displeasure: be as confident
As if your plea were 'gainst a common man,
To have all right from us; I will not grieve
For what's not worth my pitty: Read the Law.
Clerke
Reades.
Lycurgus the nineteenth against Rapes: It is provided,
and publiquely enacted and confirmed, That any man
of what degree soever, offering violence to the chastity of
a Virgin, shall (Ipso facto) be lyable to her accusation,
and according to the said Law be censur'd; Ever
provided, that it shall be in the choyce of the said Virgin
so abused, either to compell the Offender to Marry her
without a Dowre, if so she will be satisfied, or demanding
his head for the offenoe, to have that accordingly
performed.
Quee.
You heare this: what doe you demand?
Mer.
The benefit
The Law allowes me.
Bel.
For the injury
Done to mine Honour, I require his head.
Mer.
I likewise have an eye upon mine Honour,
But knowing that his death cannot restore it
I aske him for my Husband.
Bel.
I was Ravish'd,
And will have Justice.
Mer.
I was Ravish'd too,
I kneele for mercy.
Bel.
I demand but what
The Law allowes me.
Mer.
That which I desire
Is by the same Law warranted.
Bel.
The Rape
On me, hath made a forfeit of his life,
Which in revenge of my disgrace I plead for.
Mer.
The Rape on me gives me the priviledge
22
Age.
A doubtfull case.
Leo.
Such pretty Lawyers, yet
I never saw, nor read of.
Euph.
May the Queene
Favour your sweet plea, Madam.
Bel.
Is that justice?
Shall one that is to suffer for a Rape
Be by a Rape defended? Looke upon
The publike enemy of chastity,
This lustfull Satyre, whose enrag'd desires
The ruine of one wretched Virgins honour
Would not suffice; and shall the wrack of two
Be his protection? May be I was ravish'd
For his lust onely, thou for his defence;
O fine evasion! shall with such a sleight
Your justice be deluded? your Lawes cheated?
And he that for one fact deserv'd to die,
For sinning often finde impunity?
But that I know thee, I would sweare thou wert
A false Impostour, and subornd to this;
And it may be thou art Merione:
For hadst thou suffer'd truly what I have done,
Thou wouldst like me complaine, and call for vengeance,
And our wrongs being equall, I alone
Should not desire revenge: But be it so,
If thou prevaile, even he will punish it,
And foolish mercy shew'd to him undoe thee,
Consider, foole, before it be too late,
What joyes thou canst expect from such a husband,
To whom thy first, and what's more, forc'd embraces,
Which men say heighten pleasure, were distastefull.
Mer.
'Twas in respect, that then they were unlawfull,
Unbless'd by Hymen, and left stings behind them,
Which from the marriage bed are ever banish'd.
Let this Court be then the image of Joves throne,
Upon which grace and mercy still attend,
To intercede betweene him and his Justice;
And since the Law allowes as much to me
As she can challenge, let the milder sentence,
Which best becomes a Mother, and a Queene
Now overcome; nor let your wisdome suffer,
In doing right to her, I in my wrong
Indure a second Ravishment.
Bel.
You can free him
Onely from that which do's concerne your selfe,
Not from the punishment that's due to me:
Your injuries you may forgive, not mine;
I plead mine owne just wreak, which will right both,
Where that which you desire robs me of Justice;
'Tis that which I appeale to.
Mer.
Bloody woman,
Dost thou desire his punishment? Let him live then;
For any man to marry where he likes not
Is still a lingring torment.
Bel.
For one Rape
One death's sufficient, that way cannot catch me.
Mer.
To you I fly then, to your mercy Madam,
Exempting not your Justice, be but equall;
And since in no regard I come behind her,
Let me not so be undervalu'd in
Your highnesse favour, that the world take notice
You so prefer'd her, that in her behalf
You kil'd that Son, you would not save for me;
Mercy, O mercy Madam.
Bel.
Great Queen, Justice.
Age.
With what a Masculine constancy the grave Lady
hath heard them both?
Leo.
Yet how unmov'd she sits
In that which most concernes her?
Con.
Now she rises,
And having well waigh'd both their arguments,
Resolves to speak.
Euph.
And yet againe she pauses;
O Conon, such a resolution once
A Roman told me he had seene in Cato
Before he kill'd himself.
Que.
'Tis now determin'd.
Merione, I could wish I were no Queene,
To give you satisfaction; no Mother
Beliza, to content you; and would part,
Even with my being, both might have their wishes;
But since that is impossible, in few words
I will deliver what I am resolved on:
The end for which all profitable Lawes
Were made, looks two waies onely, the reward
Of innocent good men, and the punishment
Of bad Delinquents: Ours, concerning Rapes,
Provided that same latter clause of Marriage
For him that had falne once, not then foreseeing
Mankinde could prove so monstrous, to tread twice
A path so horrid. The great Law-giver
Draco, That for his strange severity
Was said to write his sterne Decrees in blood,
Made none for Parricides, presuming that
No man could be so wicked; Such might be,
Lycurgus answere (did he live) for this.
But since I finde that in my Sonne, which was not
Doubted in any else, I will adde to it;
He cannot marry both, but for both dying,
Both have their full revenge: You see Beliza
You have your wish; with you Merione
Ile spend a teare or two, so Heaven forgive thee.
The.
Upon my knees I do approve your judgement,
And beg that you would put it into act
With all speed possible; onely that I may,
Having already made peace with my self,
Part so with all the world: Princely Agenor
I aske your pardon; yours my Lord Euphanes;
And Crates, with the rest too, I forgive you;
Do you the like for me: Yours, gracious Mother,
I dare not ask, and yet if that my death
Be like a Son of yours, though my life was not,
Perhaps you may vouchsafe it: Lastly that
Both these whom I have wrong'd, may wish my ashes
No heavy burden, ere I suffer death,
For the restoring of Meriones honour,
Let me be married to her, and then dye
For you Beliza.
Que.
Thou hast made in this
Part of amends to me, and to the world,
Thy suit is granted, call a Flamyn forth
To do this holy work; with him a Headsman.
Enter Flamyn, and Executioner.
Raise up thy weeping eyes Merione,
With this hand I confirme thy Marriage,
Wishing that now the Gods would shew some miracle,
That this might not divorse it.
Cra.
To that purpose
I am their Minister; stand not amaz'd,
To all your comforts I will do this wonder,
Your Majesty (with your pardon I must speak it)
Allow'd once heretofore of such a Contract,
Which you repenting afterwards, revok'd it,
Being fully bent to match her with Agenor,
The griev'd Prince knowing this, and yet not daring
23
Bound me and these his followers to doe something
That he might once enjoy her, we sworne to it,
And easily perswaded, being assur'd
She was his Wife before the face of Heaven,
Although some Ceremonious formes were wanting,
Committed the first Rape, and brought her to him,
Which broke the Marriage; but when we perceiv'd
He purpos'd to abuse our ready service
In the same kinde, upon the chaste Beliza,
Holding our selves lesse ty'd to him then goodnesse;
I made discovery of it to my Brother,
Who can relate the rest.
Euph.
It is most true.
Quee.
I would it were.
Euph.
In every circumstance
It is upon my soule: For this knowne to me,
I wan Merione in my Ladies habit,
To be againe (but willingly) surpriz'd,
But with Agenor, and her noble Brother,
With my approv'd friend Conon, with such speed
She was pursu'd, that the lewd act scarce ended,
The Prince (assur'd he had enjoy'd Beliza,
For all the time Meriones face was cover'd)
Was apprehended, and brought to your presence,
But not till now discover'd, in respect
I hop'd the imminent danger of the Prince,
To which his loose unquenched heats had brought him,
Being pursu'd unto the latest tryall
Would worke in him compunction, which it has done;
And these two Ladies in their feign'd contentions,
To your delight I hope have serv'd as Maskers
To their owne Nuptialls.
Quee.
My choyce was worthy
When first I look'd on thee, as thou hast order'd
All shall be done, and not the meanest that
Plaid in this unexpected Comedy,
But shall pertake our bounty: And my Lord,
That with the rest you may seeme satisfi'd,
If you dare venture on a Queene, not yet
So farre in debt to yeares, but that she may
Bring you a lusty Boy, I offer up
My selfe and Kingdome during my life to you.
Ag.
It is a blessing which I durst not hope for,
But with all joy receive.
All.
We all applaud it.
Quee.
Then on unto the Temple, where the rights
Of Marriage ended, we'l finde new delights.
Exeunt.
Here endeth the Queene of Corinth.
| The Queene of Corinth | |