University of Virginia Library

Actus V.

Scena I.

Enter Corax and Cleophila.
Corax.
Tis well, tis well, the houre is at hand,
Which must conclude the busines, that no Art
Coo'd al this while make ripe for wisht content.
O Lady, in the turmoyles of our liues,
Men are like politike States, or troubled Seas,
Tost vp and downe with seuerall stormes and tempests,
Change, and varietie of wracks, and fortunes,
Till labouring to the Hauens of our homes,
We struggle for the Calme that crownes our ends.

Cleo.
A happy end Heauen blesse vs with.

Cora.
Tis well said, the old man sleepes still soundly?

Cleo.
May soft dreames
Play in his fancy, that when he awakes,
With comfort, he may by degrees, digest
The present blessings in a moderate Ioy.

Cora.
I drencht his cup to purpose; he ne're stir'd
At Barber or at Taylor: a will laugh
At his owne Metamorphosis, and wonder.
We must be watchfull. Does the Coach stand ready?

Enter Trollio.
Cleo.
All as you commanded. What's your haste for?

Trol.

A brace of bigge women, vsher'd by the young

old Ape, with his shee-clog at his bum, are enterd the
Castle; Shall they come on?

Cora.
By any meanes, the time is precious now;
Lady, be quick and carefull, follow, Trollio.

Trol.

I owe all Sir-Reuerence to your Right Worshipfulnesse.

Cleo.
So many feares, so many ioyes, encounter
My doubtfull expectations, that I wauer
Betweene the resolution of my hopes
And my obedience; tis not (O my Fate)
The apprehension of a timely blessing
In pleasures, shakes my weakenesse; but the danger
Of a mistaken duty, that confines
The limits of my reason; let me liue,
Vertue, to thee as chaste, as Truth to time.

Enter Thamasta.
Tham.
Attend me till I call.—My sweet Cleophila.

Cleo.
Great Princesse—

Tham.
I bring peace, to sue a Pardon
For my neglect, of all those noble vertues
Thy minde and duty are apparel'd with.
I haue deseru'd ill from thee, and must say,
Thou art too gentle, if thou canst forget it.

Cleo.
Alas, you haue not wrong'd me; for indeed,
Acquaintance with my sorrowes, and my fortune,
Were growne to such familiarity,
That twas an impudence, more then presumption,
To wish so great a Lady as you are,
Should lose affection on my Vncles Sonne,
But that your Brother, equall in your blood,
Should stoope to such a lownesse, as to loue
A Cast-away, a poore despised Maid,
Onely for me to hope was almost sinne,
Yet troth I neuer tempted him.

Tha.
Chide not the grossenes of my trespasse (louely Sweetnes)
In such an humble language, I haue smarted
Already in the wounds, my pride hath made
Vpon thy sufferings. Henceforth tis in you
To worke my happinesse.

Cleo.
Call any seruice
Of mine a debt, for such it is; the Letter
You lately sent me, in the blest contents
It made me priuy to, hath largely quitted
Euery suspition of your Grace or goodnesse.

Tham.
Let me imbrace thee with a Sisters loue,
A Sisters loue, Cleophila: for should
My Brother henceforth study to forget
The vowes that he hath made thee, I would euer
Sollicite thy deserts.

Enter Amethus and Menaphon.
Ame.
We must haue entrance.

Tham.
Must? Who are they say, must? you are vnmannerly.
Brother is't you, and you too, Sir?

Ame.
Your Ladiship has had a time of
Scolding to your humour:
Does the storme hold still?

Cleo.
Neuer fell a showre
More seasonably gentle on the barren
Parcht thirsty earth, then showres of courtesie
Haue from this Princesse been distilled on me,
To make my growth in quiet of my mind
Secure and lasting.

Tham.
You may both beleeue that I was not vnciuill.

Ame.
Pish, I know her spirit, and her enuy.

Cleo.
Now in troth, Sir,
Pray credit me, I doe not vse to sweare;
The vertuous Princesse hath in words and carriage
Been kind, so ouer-kind, that I doe blush:
I am not rich enough in thankes sufficient
For her vnequall'd bounty.—My good Cousin,
I haue a suite to you.

Men.
It shall be granted.

Cleo.
That no time, no perswasion, no respects
Of Iealousies past, present, or hereafter
By possibilitie to be conceiued,
Draw you from that sincerity and purenesse
Of loue, which you haue oftentimes protested
To this great worthy Lady, she deserues
A duty more, then what the tyes of Marriage
Can claime, or warrant: be for euer hers,
As she is yours, and Heauen increase your comforts.

Ame.
Clophila hath play'd the Church-mans part,
Ile not forbid the Banes.

Men.
Are you consented?

Tha.
I haue one taske in charge first, which concernes me.
Brother, be not more cruell then this Lady,
She hath forgiuen my follies, so may you:
Her youth, her beauty, innocence, discretion,
Without additions of estate or birth,
Are dower for a Prince indeed. You lou'd her;
For sure you swore you did: else if you did not
Here fixe your heart, and thus resolue, if now
You misse this Heauen on earth, you cannot find
In any other choice ought but a hell.

Ame.
The Ladies are turn'd Lawyers, and pleade handsomely
Their Clients cases. I am an easie Iudge,
And so shalt thou be, Menaphon. I giue thee
My Sister for a wife; a good one, friend.

Men.
Lady, will you confirme the gift?

Tham.
The errors of my mistaken iudgement being lost,
To your remembrance, I shall euer striue
In my obedience to deserue your pity.

Men.
My loue, my care, my all.

Amet.
What rests for me?
I'm still a Batchelor: Sweet Maid, resolue me,
May I yet call you mine?

Cleo.
My Lord Amethus,
Blame not my plainenesse, I am young and simple,
And haue not any power to dispose
Mine owne will without warrant from my father:
That purchast, I am yours.

Amet.
It shall suffice me.

Enter Cuculus, Pelias, Trollio and Grilla pluckt in by 'em.
Cucul.

Reuenge, I must haue reuenge; I will haue reuenge,
bitter and abominable reuenge; I will haue reuenge.
This vnfashionable Mungrill, this Linsey-woolsey
of mortality, by this hand, Mistris, this shee-Roague
is drunke, and clapper-clawd me without any reuerence
to my person, or good garments, why d'ee not speake,
Gentlemen.

Pel.

Some certaine blowes haue past, and't like your
Highnesse.

Troll.

Some few knocks of Friendship, some loue-toyes,
some Cuffes in kindnesse, or so.

Gril.

Ile turne him away, he shall bee my Master no
longer.

Men.

Is this your she-Page, Cuculus? tis a Boy, sure.

Cucul.

A Boy, an arrant Boy in long coates.

Troll.

He has mumbled his nose, that tis as big as a

great Cod peece.

Cucul.
Oh thou Cock vermine of iniquity.

Tha.
Pelias, take hence the wag, and schoole him for't.
For your part, seruant, Ile intreate the Prince
To grant you some fit place about his Wardrobe.

Cucul.
Euer after a bloody nose do I dreame of good lucke.
I horribly thanke your Ladiship.
Whil'st I'm in office, the old garbe shall agen
Grow in request, and Taylors shall be men.
Come Trollio, helpe to wash my face, prethee.

Trol.
Yes, and to scowre it too.—

Exit Cuculus, Trollio, Pelias, Grill.
Enter Rhetias, Corax.
Rhet.

The Prince and Princesse are at hand, giue ouer
your amorous Dialogues. Most honor'd Lady, henceforth
forbeare your sadnesse: are you ready to practise
your instructions?

Cleo.
I haue studied
My part with care, and will performe it (Rhetias)
With all the skill I can.

Cor.
Ile passe my word for her.

Florish. Enter Prince, Sophronus, Aretius, and Eroclea.
Prince.
Thus Princes should be circled with a guard
Of truly noble friends, and watchfull subiects.
O Rhetias, thou art iust; the Youth thou told'st me,
That liu'd at Athens, is returnd at last
To her owne fortunes, and contracted Loue.

Rhet.
My knowledge made me sure of my report, Sir.

Prince.
Eroclea, cleare thy feares, when the Sun shines,
Clouds must not dare to muster in the skie,
Nor shal they here—Why do they kneele? Stand vp,
The day and place is priuiledg'd.

Soph.
Your presence, Great Sir, makes euery roome a Sanctuary.

Prince.
Wherefore does this young virgin vse such circumstance,
In duty to vs? Rise.

Eroc.
Tis I must raise her.
Forgiue me, Sister, I haue been too priuate,
In hiding from your knowledge any secret
That should haue been in common twixt our soules:
But I was rul'd by councell.

Cleo.
That I shew my selfe a Girle (Sister) and bewray
Ioy in too soft a passion 'fore all these,
I hope you cannot blame me.

Prince.
We must part:
The sudden meeting of these two faire Riuolets
With th'Iland of our armes, Cleophila,
The custome of thy piety hath built
Euen to thy younger yeeres a Monument
Of memorable Fame; some great reward
Must wait on thy desert.

Soph.
The Prince speakes t'ee, Neece.

Cor.
Chat low, I pray; let's about our businesse.
The good old man awakes; my Lord, with-draw;
Rhetias, let's settle here the Coach.

Prince.
Away then.

Exit.
Soft Musicke. Enter Melander (in a Coach) his haire and beard trimd, habit and gowne chang'd. Rhetias and Corax, and Boy that sings.
The Song.
Fly hence, shadowes, that doe keep
Watchfull sorrowes, charm'd in sleepe;
Though the Eyes be ouertaken,
Yet the Heart doth euer waken
Thoughts, chain'd vp in busie snares
Of continuall woes and cares:
Loue and griefes are so exprest,
As they rather sigh then rest.
Fly hence, shadowes, that doe keepe
Watchfull sorrowes, charm'd in sleepe.

Mel.
Where am I? Ha? What sounds are these? Tis day, sure.
Oh, I haue slept belike: tis but the foolery
Of some beguiling dreame. So, so, I will not
Trouble the play of my delighted Fancy
But dreame my dreame out.

Cor.
Morrow to your Lordship:
You tooke a iolly nap, and slept it soundly.

Mel.
Away, beast, let me alone.

Cease musicke.
Cora.
O, by your leaue, Sir.
I must be bold to raise yee, else your Phisicke
Will turne to further sicknes.

Mel.
Phisick, Beare-leech?

Cor.
Yes phisick, you are mad.

Mel.
Trollio, Cleophila.

Rhet.
Sir, I am here.

Mel.
I know thee, Rhetias, prethee rid the roome
Of this tormenting noyse. He tells me, sirra.
I haue tooke phisick, Rhetias, phisicke, phisicke.

Rhet.
Sir true, you haue; and this most learned Scholer
Apply'd t'ee. O you were in dangerous plight
Before he tooke ye hand.

Mel.
These things are drunke,
Directly drunke. Where did you get your liquor?

Cor.
I neuer saw a body in the wane
Of age, so ouer spred with seuerall sorts
Of such diseases as the strength of Youth
Would groane vnder and sinke.

Rhet.
The more your glory in the miraculous cure.

Cor.
Bring me the Cordiall
Prepar'd for him to take after his sleepe,
Twill doe him good at heart.

Rhet.
I hope it will, Sir.

Exit.
Mel.
What do'st think I am, that thou should'st fiddle
So much vpon my patience? Foole, the waight
Of my disease sits on my heart so heauy,
That all the hands of Art cannot remoue
One graine to ease my griefe. If thou cood'st poyson
My memory, or wrap my senses vp
Into a dulnesse, hard and cold as Flints?
If thou cood'st make me walke, speake, eate and laugh
Without a sense or knowledge of my faculties,
Why then perhaps at Marts thou might'st make benefit
Of such an Anticke motion, and get credit
From credulous gazers, but not profit me.
Study to gull the wise; I am too simple
To be wrought on.

Cor.
Ile burne my bookes (old man)
But I will doe thee good, and quickly too.

Enter Aretus with a Patent.
Aret.
Most honor'd Lord Meleander, our great Master,
Prince Palador of Cyprus, hath by me
Sent you this Patent, in which is contain'd
Not onely confirmation of the Honors
You formerly enioyed, but the addition
Of the Marshalship of Cyprus, and ere long
He meanes to visit you. Excuse my haste,
I must attend the Prince.—

Exit.
Cor.
There's one Pill workes.

Mel.
Do'st know that spirit? tis a graue familiar,
And talkt I know not what.

Cor.
Hee's like, me thinks, the Prince his Tutor, Aretus.

Mel.
Yes, yes; it may be I haue seene such a formality;
No matter where, or when.

Enter Amethus with a Staffe.
Amet.
The Prince hath sent ye
(My Lord) this Staffe of Office, and withall
Salutes you Grand Commander of the Ports
Throughout his Principalities. He shortly
Will visit you himselfe: I must attend him.—

Exit.
Cor.
D'ee feele your physick stirring yet?

Mel.
A Diuell is a rare Iuggler, and can cheate the eye,
But not corrupt the reason in the Throne
Of a pure soule.—Another? I will stand thee,
Be what thou canst, I care not.

Enter Sophronus with a Tablet.
Soph.
From the Prince, deare Brother, I present you this rich Relique,
A Iewell he hath long worne in his bosome:
Henceforth he bade mee say, he does beseech you
To call him sonne, for he will call you Father.
It is an honor (brother) that a subiect
Cannot but intertaine with thankfull pray'rs.
Be moderate in your Ioyes, he will in person
Confirme my errand, but commands my seruice.

Exit.
Cora.
What hope now of your Cure?

Mel.
Stay, stay—What Earthquakes
Roule in my flesh? here's Prince, and Prince and Prince;
Prince vpon Prince: the dotage of my sorrowes
Reuells in magick of ambitious scorne,
Be they Inchantments deadly (as the graue)
Ile looke vpon 'em: Patent, staffe, and Relick
To the last first. Round me, ye guarding ministers
And euer keepe me waking till the Cliffes
That ouer hang my sight fall off, and leaue
These hollow spaces to be cram'd with dust.

Cor.
Tis time I see to fetch the Cordiall. Prethee
Sit downe: Ile instantly be here againe—

Exit.
Mel.
Good, giue me leaue, I will sit downe indeed:
Here's Company enough for me to prate to,
Eroclea. Tis the same, the cunning Artsman
Faultred not in a line. Coo'd he haue fashen'd
A little hollow space here, and blowne breath
To haue made it moue, and whisper, 't had bin excellent.
But faith, tis well, tis very well as tis.
Passing, most passing well.

Enter Cleophila, Eroclea, Rhetias.
Cleo.
The soueraigne Greatnesse,
Who, by Commission from the powers of heauen,
Swayes both this Land and vs, our gracious Prince,
By me presents you (Sir) with this large bounty,
A gift more precious to him then his birth-right.
Here let your cares take end; now set at liberty
Your long imprison'd heart, and welcome home
The solace of your soule, too long kept from you.

Eroc.
Deare Sir, you know me.

Mel.
Yes, thou art my Daughter:
My eldest blessing. Know thee? Why Eroclea,
I neuer did forget thee in thy absence.
Poore soule, how do'st?

Eroc.
The best of my well-being consists in yours.

Mel.
Stand vp: the gods who hitherto
Haue kept vs both aliue, preserue thee euer.
Cleophila, I thanke thee and the Prince,
I thanke thee too, Eroclea, that thou would'st
In pitie of my age, take so much paines
To liue, till I might once more looke vpon thee,
Before I broke my heart: O twas a piece
Of piety and duty vnexampled.

Rhet.
The good-man rellisheth his comforts strangely,
The sight doth turne me child.

Eroc.
I haue not words that can expresse my ioyes.

Cleo.
Nor I.

Mel.
Nor I: yet let vs gaze on one another freely,
And surfet with our eyes; let me be plaine,
If I should speake as much as I should speake,
I should talke of a thousand things at once,
And all of thee, of thee (my child) of thee:
My teares like ruffling winds lockt vp in Caues,
Doe bustle for a vent—on t'other side,
To flye out into mirth were not so comely.
Come hither, let me kisse thee—with a pride,
Strength, courage, and fresh blood, which now thy presence
Hath stor'd me with, I kneele before their Altars,
Whose soueraignty kept guard about thy safety.
Aske, aske thy Sister (prethee) shee'le tell thee
How I haue been much mad.

Cleo.
Much discontented,
Shunning all meanes that might procure him comfort.

Eroc.
Heauen ha's at last been gracious.

Mel.
So say I but wherefore drop thy words in such a sloth,
As if thou wert afraid to mingle truth
With thy misfortunes? Vnderstand me throughly,
I would not haue thee to report at large
From point to point, a Iournall of thy absence:
Twill take vp too much time, I would securely
Ingrosse the little remnant of my life,
That thou might'st euery day be telling somewhat,
Which might conuay me to my rest with comfort.
Let me bethinke me, how we parted first:
Puzzles my faint remembrance—But soft,
Cleophila, thou toldst me, that the Prince
Sent me this present.

Cleo.
From his own faire hands I did receiue my Sister.

Mel.
To requite him, we will not dig his Fathers graue anew,
Although the mention of him much concernes
The businesse we inquire of—as I said,
We parted in a hurry at the Court,
I to this Castle, after made my Iayle:
But whither thou, deare heart?

Rhet.
Now they fall too't, I lookt for this.

Eroc.

I by my Vncles care (Sophronos, my good Vncle)
suddenly was like a Saylers Boy conuey'd a shipboord
that very night.

Mel.
A policie quicke and strange.

Eroc.
The ship was bound for Corinth, whither first
Attended onely with your seruant Rhetias,
And all fit necessaries, we arriu'd:
From thence in habit of a youth we iourney'd
To Athens, where till our returne of late,
Haue we liu'd safe.

Mel.
Oh what a thing is man,
To bandy factions of distemp'red passions,
Against the sacred prouidence aboue him?
Here in the Legend of thy two yeeres exile,
Rare pity and delight are sweetly mixt,
And still thou wert a Boy.

Eroc.
So I obey'd my Vncles wise command.

Mel.
Twas safely carried, I humbly thanke thy Fate.

Eroc.
If earthly treasures
Are powr'd in plenty downe from Heau'n on mortals;
They reigne amongst those Oracles, that flow
In Scholes of sacred knowledge; such is Athens:
Yet Athens was to me but a faire prison:
The thoughts of you, my Sister, Country, Fortunes,
And something of the Prince, barr'd all contents,
Which else might rauish sence: for had not, Rhetias,
Been alwaies comfortable to me, certainely
Things had gone worse.

Mel.
Speake low Eroclea;
That something of the Prince beares danger in it:
Yet thou hast trauayl'd (Wench) for such Indowments,
As might create a Prince a wife fit for him,
Had he the World to guide: but touch not there;
How cam'st thou home?

Rhet.
Sir, with your Noble sauour,
Kissing your hand first, that point I can answer.

Mel.
Honest, right honest Rhetias.

Rhet.
Your graue Brother
Perceiu'd with what a hopelesse loue his sonne,
Lord Menaphon, too eagerly pursu'd
Thamasta, Cousin to our present Prince;
And to remoue the violence of affection,
Sent him to Athens, where for twelue moneths space
Your daughter, my young Lady and her Cousin
Enioy'd each others griefes, till by his Father
The Lord Sophronos we were all call'd home.

Mel.
Enough, enough, the world shall henceforth witnesse
My thankfulnes to Heauen, and those people
Who haue been pitifull to me and mine.
Lend me a Looking-glasse—How now? How came I
So courtly in fresh rayments?

Rhet.
Here's the Glasse, Sir.

Mel.
I'm in the trim too.—O Cleophila,
This was the goodnesse of thy care and cunning.—
Whence comes this noyse?

Loud Musicke.
Rhet.
The Prince my Lord in person.

Enter Prince, Sophronos, Aretas, Amethus, Menaphon, Thamasta, Corax, Kala.
Prince.
Ye shall not kneele to vs; rise all, I charge ye:
Father, you wrong your age, henceforth my armes
And heart shall be your guard; we haue o're-heard
All passages of your vnited loues.
Be young againe, Meleander, liue to number
A happy generation, and dye old
In comforts as in yeeres. The Offices
And Honours which I late on thee conferr'd,
Are not fantasticke bounties, but thy merit;
Enioy them liberally.

Mel.
My teares must thanke ye, for my tongue cannot.

Cor.
I haue kept my promise, & giuen you a sure cordial.

Mel.
O, a rare one.

Prince.
Good man, wee both haue shar'd enough of sadnes:
Though thine ha's tasted deeper of th'extreme;
Let vs forget it henceforth. Where's the picture
I sent yee? Keepe it, tis a counterfeit,
And in exchange of that, I ceaze on this,
The reall substance: with this other hand
I giue away before her Fathers face
His younger ioy, Cleophila, to thee
Cousin Amethus: take her, and be to her
More then a Father, a deseruing husband.
Thus rob'd of both thy children in a minute,
Thy cares are taken off.

Mel.
My braines are dull'd;
I am intranc'd, and know not what you meane:
Great, gracious Sir, alas, why do you mocke me?
I am a weake old man, so poore and feeble,
That my vntoward ioynts can scarcely creepe
Vnto the graue, where I must seeke my rest.

Prince.
Eroclea was, you know, contracted mine;
Cleophila, my Cousins by consent
Of both their hearts: We both now claime our owne;
It onely rests in you to giue a blessing
For confirmation.

Rhetias.
Sir, tis truth and iustice.

Mel.
The gods that lent ye to me, blesse your vowes:
O Children, children, pay your prayers to Heauen,
For they haue shew'd much mercy. But Sophronos,
Thou art my Brother: I can say no more:
A good, good Brother.

Prince.
Leaue the rest to time.
Cousin Thamasta, I must giue you too:
She's thy wife, Menaphon. Rhetias, for thee
And Corax, I haue more then common thanks.
On, to the Temple; there all solemne Rites
Perform'd, a generall Feast shall be proclaim'd.
The Louers Melancholy hath found cure;
Sorrowes are chang'd to Bride-songs. So they thriue,
Whom Fate in spite of stormes hath kept aliue.

Exeunt omnes.