 | The Coronation |  |
Actus Quintus.
Enter Philocles, and Lisander.Phi.
Heres a strange turne, Lisander.
Lisa.
Tis a Kingdome
Easily purchasd, who will trust the faith
Of multitudes?
Phi.
It was his fault, that would
So tamely give his title to their mercy,
Lisa.
And is like
To keep't, we are alone, what dost thinke of
This innovation? ist not a fine Iigge?
A precious cunning in the late Protector
To shuffle a new Prince into the state.
Phi.
I know not how they have shuffled, but my head on't
A false card is turn'd up trump, but fates looke too't.
Enter Cassander and Eubulus.
Eub.
Does he not carry it bravely.
Cas.
Excellently.
Philocles Lisander.
Phi., Lis.
Your Lordships servants,
Are we not bound to heaven, for multiplying
These blessings on the Kingdome.
Phi.
Heaven alone
Workes miracles my Lord.
Lisa.
I thinke your Lordship
Had as little hope once, to see these Princes
Revive.
Phi.
Here we must place our thankes,
Next providence, for preserving
So deere a pledge.
Enter Leonatus attended.
Eub.
The King.
Leo.
It is our pleasure
The number of our guard be doubled, give
A Largesse to the Soldiers; but dismisse not
The troopes till we command.
Cas.
May it please.
Leo.
It will not please us otherwise, my Lord,
We have tride your faith,
Eub.
Does he not speake, with confidence?
Leo.
My Lords, and Gentlemen, to whose faith we must
Owe next to heaven our fortune, and our safety,
After a tedious eclipse, the day
Is bright, and we invested in those honours,
Our blood, and birth did challenge.
May no time
Be registred in our annalls, that shall mention
One that had life to oppose your sacred person.
Leo.
Let them whose titles forg'd and flaw'd suspect
Their states security, our right to Epire,
Heaven is oblig'd to prosper, treason has
No face so blacke to fright it, all my cares
Levell to this, that I may worthily
Manage the province, and advance the honour
Of our deere Country, and be confident,
If an expence of blood, may give addition
Of any happinesse to you, I shall
Offer my heart the sacrifice, and rejoyce
To make my selfe a ghost, to have inscrib'd
Vpon my marble, but whose cause I dyed for.
Enb.
May Heaven avert such danger.
Cas.
Excellent Prince,
In whom we see the Coppy of his Father
None but the sonne of Theodosius,
Could have spoke thus.
Leo.
You are pleasd to interpret well,
Yet give me leave to say in my owne justice,
I have but exprest the promptnesse of my soule
To serve you all, but tis not empty wishes
Can satisfie our mighty charge, a weight
Would make an Atlas double, a Kings name
Doth sound harmoniously to men at distance,
And those who cannot penetrate beyond
The barke, and outskinne of a common wealth,
Or state, have eyes but ravish'd with the Ceremony
That must attend a Prince, and understand not
What cares allay the glories of a Crowne,
But good Kings finde and feele the contrary,
You have tride, my Lord the burden, and can tell
It would require a Pilote of more yeares
To steere this Kingdome, now impos'd on me,
By justice of my birth.
Cas.
I wish not life,
Succeed these faire proceedings, we are blest,
But sir be sparing to your selfe, we shall
Hazard our joyes in you too soone, the burden
Of state affaires impose upon your counsell.
Tis fitter that we waste our lives then you,
Call age too soone upon you with the trouble,
And cares that threaten such an undertaking,
Preserve your youth.
Leo.
And choose you our protector,
Ist that you would conclude my Lord? We will
Deserve our subjects faith for our owne sake,
Not sit an idle gazer at the helme.
Enter Messenger.
Phi.
How observ'd you that,
Marke how Cassander's planet strucke.
Eu.
He might have lookd more calmely for all that
I begin to feare; but doe not yet seeme troubled.
Leo.
With what newes travailes his hast? I must secure
My selfe betimes, not be a King in jest,
And weare my crowne a tenant to their breath.
Cas.
Demetrius sir, your brother,
With other traytors that oppose your claimes
Are fled to the Castle of Nestorius
And fortifie.
Mes.
I said not so my Lord.
Cas.
Ile have it thought so, hence.
Exit Messen.
Leo.
Plant forces to batter
The wals, and in their ruine bring us word
They live not.
Eub.
Good sir heare me.
Cas.
Let it worke,
Were Demetrius dead, we easily might uncrowne
This swolne impostor, and my sonne be faire
To peice with young Sophia, who I heare
Repents her late affront.
Eub.
Their lives may doe
You service, let not blood staine your beginnings
The people not yet warme in their allegiance,
May thinke it worth their tumult to revenge it
Leo.
Who dares but thinke it?
Yet offer first our mercy, if they yeeld.
Demetrius must not live, my Lord your counsell,
What if he were in heaven?
Cas.
You have my consent,
You shannot stay long after him.
Leo.
Sophia is
Not my sister,
To prevent al that may indanger us, wee'l marry her
That done no matter though we stand discover'd,
For in her title then we are King of Epire,
Without dispute.
Cas.
Hum? in my judgement sir,
That wonot doe so well.
Leo.
Whats your opinion?
Cas.
He countermines my plot: are you so cunning
Leo.
Whats that you mutter sir?
Cas.
I mutter sir?
Leo.
Best say I am no King, but some impostor
Rais'd up to gull the state.
Cas.
Very fine to have said within
Few houres you'd beene no King, nor like to be,
Was not in the compasse of high treason
I take it.
Eub.
Restraine your anger, the Kings mov'd, speake not,
Cas.
I will speake louder, doe I not know him?
That selfe same hand that raisd him to the throne
Shall plucke him from it, is this my reward?
Leo.
Our guard, to prison with him,
Cas.
Me to prison?
Leo.
Off with his head.
Cas.
My head?
Eub.
Vouchsafe to heare me, great sir.
Cas.
How dares he be so insolent?
J ha wrought my selfe into a fine condition,
Dee know me Gentlemen?
Phi.
Very well my Lord;
These blessings on the Kingdome.
Leo.
We allow it.
Eub.
Counsell did never blast a Princes eare.
Leo.
Convey him to the sanctuary of rebels,
Nestorius house, where our proud brother has
Ensconsd himselfe, theyle entertaine him lovingly,
He will be a good addition to the traitors,
Obey me or you dye for't, what are Kings
When subjects dare affrout em.
Cas.
I shall vex
Thy soule for this.
Leo.
Away with him, when Kings
Frowne, let offenders tremble, this flowes not
From any cruelty in my nature, but
The fate of an usurper, he that will
Be confirm'd great without just title to it,
Must lose compassion, know whats good, not doe it.
Exeunt.
Enter Polidora and her servant.
Ser.
Madam, the Princesse Sophia.
Pol.
I attend her highnesse.
Enter Sophia.
How much your grace honours your humble servant
Sop.
I hope my brother's well.
Pol.
I hope so too Madam.
Sop.
Doe you but hope? he came to be your guest.
Pol.
We are all his whilst he is pleasd to honour
This poore roofe with his royall presence Madam.
Sop.
I came to aske your pardon Polidora,
Pol.
You never Madam trespas'd upon me,
Wrong not your goodnesse.
Sop.
I can be but penitent,
Vnlesse you point me out some other way
To satisfie.
Pol.
Deere Madam doe not mocke me.
Sop.
there is no injury like that to love,
I finde it now in my owne sufferings,
Heaven knew a way to reconcile your hearts,
And punishd me in those joyes you have found,
I read the story of my losse of honour,
Yet can rejoyce, and heartily, that you
Have met your owne agen.
Pol.
Whom doe you meane?
Sop.
My brother.
Pol.
He is found to himselfe and honour,
He is my King, and though I must acknowledge
He was the glory of my thoughts, and I
Lov'd him as you did Madam, with desire
To be made his, reason, and duty since,
Form'd me to other knowledge, and I now
Looke on him without any wish of more
Then to be call'd his subject.
Sop.
Has he made
Himselfe lesse capable by being King.
Pol.
Of what?
Sop.
Of your affection.
Pol.
With your pardon Madam.
Love in that sense you meane, lest Polidora
When he forsooke Arcadius, I disclaime
All tyes betweene us, more then what a name
Of King must challenge from my obedience.
Sop.
This does confirme my jealousie, my heart,
For my sake Madam, has he lost his value?
Pol.
Let me beseech your grace, I may have leave
To answer in some other cause, or person,
This argument but opens a sad wound
To make it bleed a fresh, we may change this
Discourse, I would elect some subject, whose
Prayses may more delight your eare then this
Can mine; let's talke of young Lisimachus.
Sop.
Ha? my presaging feares.
Pol.
How does your grace?
Sop.
Well, you were talking of Lisimachus,
Pray give me your opinion of him.
Mine?
It will be much short of his worth, J thinke him
A gentleman so perfect in all goodnesse,
That if there be one in the world deserves
The best of women, heaven created him,
To make her happy.
Sop.
You have in a little, Madam,
Exprest a Volume of mankind, a miracle,
But all have not the same degree of faith,
He is but young.
Pol.
What mistresse would desire
Her servant old? he has both Spring to please
Her eye, and Summer to returne a harvest.
Sop.
He is blacke.
Pol.
He sets a beauty off more rich,
And she thats faire will love him, faint complections
Betray effeminate mindes, and love of change,
Two beauties in a bed, compound few men,
He's not so faire to counterfeit a woman,
Nor yet so blacke, but blushes may betray
His modesty.
Sop.
His proportion exceeds not.
Pol.
That praises him, and well compacted frame
Speakes temper, and sweet flow of elements,
Vast buildings are more oft for shew then use,
I would not have my eyes put to the travell
Of many acres, ere I could examine
A man from head to foote, he has no great,
But he may boast, an eligant composition.
Sop.
Ile heare no more, you have so farre outdone
My injuries to you, that I call backe
My penitence, and must tell Polidora,
This revenge ill becomes her. Am I thought
So lost in soule to heare, and forgive this?
In what shade doe I live? or shall I thinke
I have not at the lowest enough merit,
Setting aside my birth, to poyze with yours,
Forgive my modest thoughts, if I rise up
So great a Winter hath not frozen yet
My cheeke, but there is something nature planted,
That carries as much bloome, and spring upon't
As yours, what flame is in your eye, but may
Finde competition here (forgive agen
My Virgin honour,) what is in your lip,
To tice the enamour'd soule, to dwell with more
Ambition then the yet unwithered blush
That speakes the innocence of mine.
Enter Demetrius.
Oh brother?
Dem.
Ile talke with you anon, my Polidora,
Allow thy patience till my breath recover
Which now come; laden with the richest newes
Thy eare was ever blest with.
Sop.
Both your lookes,
And voyce expresse some welcome accident.
De.
Guesse what in wish could make me fortunate
And heaven hath dropt that on Demetrius.
Sop.
What meanes this extasie?
Dem.
Twere sinne to busie
Thy thoughts upon't, Ile tell thee that I could
Retaine some part, tis too wide a joy
To be exprest so soone, and yet it falls
In a few sillables, thou wot scarce beleeve me,
I am no King.
Sop.
Hows that!
Pol.
Good heaven forbid.
De.
Forbid? Heaven has releiv'd me with a mercy
I knew not how to aske, I have they say
An elder brother living, crown'd already,
I onely keepe my name Demetrius,
Without desire of more addition,
Then to returne thy servant.
Pol.
You amaze me,
Can you rejoyce to be deposd:
Dem.
It but
In Polidora.
Pol.
Mee?
Dem.
Did you not say,
Were I no King you could be drawne to love
Me agen, that was consented to in Heaven,
A Kingdome first betray'd my ambitious soule
To forget thee, that, and the flattering glories,
How willingly Demetrius doe resigne,
The Angels know, thus naked without titles
I throw me on thy charity, and shall
Boast greater Empire to be thine agen, then
To weare the triumphs of the world upon me.
Enter Macarius.
Mac.
Be not so carelesse of your selfe, the people
Gather in multitudes, to your protection
Offering their lives, and fortunes, if they may
But see you sir, and heare you speake to em,
Accept their duties, and in time prevent
Your ruine.
Sop.
Be not desperate, tis counsell.
Dem.
You trouble me with noyse, speake Polidora
Pol.
For your owne sake preserve your selfe,
My feares distract my reason.
Enter Antigonus.
Ant.
Lord Lisimachus
With something that concernes your safety, is
Fled hither, and desires a present hearing.
Mac.
His soule is honest, be not sir a madman,
And for a Lady give up all our freedomes.
Exit.
Pol.
Ile say any thing here Lisimachus.
Sop.
Deare brother heare him.
Enter Lisimachus.
Lisi.
Sir, I come to yeeld
My selfe your prisoner, if my father have
Raisd an Impostor to supplant your title
Which I suspect and inwardly doe bleed for.
I shall not onely by the tender of
By my unworthy life secure your person,
Or by what death you shall impose, reward
The unexpected treason.
Sop.
Brave young man,
Did you not heare him brother?
Lisi.
I am not minded.
Pol.
Be witnesse Madam, I resigne my heart
It never was anothers, you declare
Too great a satisfaction, I hope
This will destroy your jealousie,
Remember now your danger.
Dem.
I dispise it,
What fate dares injure me?
Lisi.
Yet heare me sir.
Sop.
Forgive me Polidora, you are happy,
My hopes are remov'd farther, I had thought
Lisimachus had meant you for his mistresse,
Tis misery to feed, and not know where
To place my jealousie.
Enter Macarius.
Mac.
Now tis too late,
You may be deafe, untill the Cannon make,
You finde your sence, we are shut up now by
A troupe of Horse, thanke your selfe.
Pol.
They will
Admit conditions.
Sop.
And allow us quarter.
a shout within.
Pol.
We are all lost.
Dem.
Be comforted.
Enter Antigonus.
Ant.
Newes my Lord Cassander sent by the new King.
To beare us company.
Dem.
Not as prisoner?
Ant.
It does appeare no otherwise, the souldiers
Declare how much they love him, by their noyse
Of scorne, and joy to see him so rewarded.
Dem.
It cannot be.
Youle finde it presently,
He curses the new King, talkes treason gainst him
As nimble as he were in's shirt, he's here,
Enter Cassander.
Cas.
Oh let me beg untill my knees take roote
Ith' earth, sir, can you pardon me?
Dem.
For what?
Cas.
For Treason, desperate, most malicious treason
I have undone you sir.
Dem.
It does appeare
You had a will.
Cas.
Ile make you all the recompence I can,
But ere you kill me heare me, know the man,
Whom I to serve my unjust ends, advanc'd
To your throne, is an impostor, a meere counterfeit,
Eubulus sonne.
Exit Anti.
Dem.
It is not then our brother?
Cas.
An insolent usurper, proud, and blooddy
Seleucus, is no leprosie upon me?
There is not punishment enough in nature
To quit my horrid act, I have not in
My stocke of blood to satisfie with weeping,
Nor could my soule though melted to a flood
Within me, gush out teares to wash my staine off.
Dem.
How? an Impostor, what will become on's now?
We are at his mercy.
Cas.
Sir, the peoples hearts
Will come to their owne dwelling, when they see
I dare accuse my selfe, and suffer for it,
Have courage then young King, thy fate cannot
Be long compell'd.
Dem.
Rise, our misfortune
Carries this good, although it lose our hopes,
It makes you friend with vertue, weele expect
What providence will doe.
Cas.
You are too mercifull.
Lisi.
Our duties shall beg heaven still to preserve you.
Enter Antigonus.
Ant.
Our enemy desires some parley sir.
'Tis not amisse to heare their proposition.
Pol.
Ile waite upon you.
Dem.
Thou art my angell, and canst best instruct me,
Boldly present our selves, you'le with Cassander.
Cas.
And in death be blest
To finde your charity.
Exit
Sop.
Lisimachus,
Lisi.
Madam.
Sop.
They will not misse your presence, the small time
Is spent in asking of a question.
Lisi.
I waite your pleasure.
Sop.
Sit I have a suite to you.
Lisi.
To me? it must be granted.
Sop.
If you have
Cancell'd your kinde opinion of me,
Deny me not to know, who hath succeeded
Sophia in your heart. I beg the name
Of your new Mistresse.
Lisi.
You shall know her Madam,
If but these tumults cease, and fate allow us
To see the Court agen, I hope youle bring
No mutiny against her, but this is
No time to talke of Love, let me attend you.
Sop.
I must expect, till you are pleasd to satisfie
My poore request, conduct me at your pleasure.
Exeunt
Enter Leonatus, Eubulus, Bishop, Lisander, Philocles.
Leo.
They are too slow, dispatch new messengers,
To entreat em fairely hither, J am extasied,
Were you witnesse for me too, is it possible
I am what this affirmes, true Leonatus;
And were you not my father, was I given
In trust to you an Infant?
Eub.
Tis a truth,
Our soule's bound to acknowledge, you supply'd
The absence and opinion of my sonne,
Who dyed but to make you my greater care
I know not of Demetrius, but suppos'd
Him dead indeed, as Epire thought you were,
Which but compar'd with what concernes Demetrius
Will prove it selfe King Theodosius act,
Your royall Father.
Bish.
I am subscrib'd to both his Legacies
By oath oblig'd to secresie, untill
Thus fairely summon'd to reveale the trust.
Eub.
Cassander had no thought you would prove thus.
To whose policy I gave this aime, although
He wrought you up to serve but as his engine
To batter young Demetrius, for it was
Your Fathers prudent jealousie, that made him
Give out your earely deaths, as if his soule
Prophesi'd his owne first, and fear'd to leave
Either of you to the unsafe protection,
Of one whose study would be to supplant
Your right, and make himselfe the King of Epire.
Bish.
Your sister faire Sophia in your Fathers
Life, was design'd to marry with Lisimachus
That guarded her, although she us'd some art
To quit her pupillage, and being absolute,
Declar'd love to Demetrius, which enforc'd
Macarius to discover first your brother.
Leo.
No more, least you destroy agen Leonatus,
With wonder of his fate, are they not come yet?
Something it was, I felt within my envy
Of young Demetrius fortune, there were seeds
Scatterd upon my heart, that made it swell
With thought of Empire, Princes I see cannot
Be totally eclipst, but wherefore stayes
Demetrius, and Sophia, at whose names
A gentle spirit walk'd upon my blood.
Enter Demetrius, Polidora, Sophia, Macarius, Cassander, Lisimac.
Eub.
They are here,
Leo.
Then thus I flye into their bosomes,
Nature has rectifi'd in me Demetrius,
The wandrings of ambition, our deere sister
You are amaz'd, I did expect it, read
Mac.
What meanes all this?
Leo.
Lisimachus, be deare to us,
Cassander, you are welcome too.
Cas.
Not I,
I doe not looke for't, all this shannot bribe
My conscience to your faction, and make
Me false agen, Seleucus is no sonne
Of Theodosius, my deare Countrymen
Correct your erring duties, and to that,
Your lawfull King, prostrate your selves, Demetrius
Doth challenge all your knees.
Dem.
All love and duty,
Flow from me to my royall King, and brother
I am confirm'd.
Cas.
You are too credulous,
What can betray your faith so much?
Leo.
Sophia, you appeare sad, as if your will
Gave no consent to this dayes happynesse.
Sop.
No joy exceeds Sophia's for your selfe.
Lisi.
With your pardon sir, I apprehend
A cause that makes her troubled, she desires
To know what other mistresse since her late
Vnkindnesse, I have chosen to direct
My faith and service.
Leo.
Another Mistresse.
Lisi.
Yes sir.
Leo.
And does our sister love Lisimachus?
Sop.
Here's something would confesse.
Leo.
He must not dare
To affront Sophia.
Cas.
How my shame confounds me,
I beg your justice, without pitty on
My age.
Leo.
Your penance shall be, to be faithfull
To our state hereafter.
Omnes.
May you live long and happy,
Leonatus King of Epire.
But where's your other Mistresse?
Lisi.
Even here sir.
Leo.
Our sister? is this another Mistresse sir?
Lisi.
It holds
To prove my thoughts were so when she began
Her sorrow for neglecting me, that sweetnesse
Deserv'd I should esteeme her another mistresse,
Then when she cruelly forsooke Lisimacus,
Your pardon Madam, and receive a heart
Proud with my first devotions to serve you
Sop.
In this I am crownd agen, now mine for ever.
Leo.
You have deceiv'd her happily,
Ioy to you both.
Dem.
We are ripe for the same wishes,
Polidora's part of me.
Pol.
He all my blessing.
Leo.
Heaven powre full joyes upon yon.
Mac,
We are all blest,
There wants but one to fill your armes.
Leo.
My mistresse,
And wife shall be my Country, to which I
Was in my birth contracted, your love since
Hath playd the Priest to perfect what was Ceremony
Though Kingdomes, by just titles prove our owne,
The subjects hearts doe best secure a Crowne.
Exeunt Omnes.
| The Coronation | |