 | The Coronation |  |
Actus. 1.
Enter Philocles and Lisander.Phi.
Make way for my Lord Protector.
Lisa.
Your graces servants.
Enter Cassander and Lisimachus.
Cas.
I like your diligent waiting, where's Lisimachus?
Lisi.
I waite upon you sir.
Cas.
The Queene lookes pleasant
This morning, does she not?
Lis.
I ever found
Her gracious smiles on me.
Cas.
She does consult
Her safety in't, for I must tell thee boy,
But in the assurance of her love to thee,
I should advance thy hopes another way,
And use the power I have in Epire, to
Settle our owne, and uncontrouled greatnesse;
But since she carries her selfe so fairely,
I am content to expect, and by her marriage
Secure thy fortune, that's all my ambition
To her, I must attend other affaires,
Returne, and use what art thou canst to lay
More charmes of love upon her.
Lisi.
I presume
Shee alwayes speakes the language of her heart,
And I can be ambitious for no more
Happinesse on earth then she encourages
Me to expect.
Cas.
It was an act becomming
The wisedome of her Father to engage
A tye betweene our families, and she
Hath playd her best discretion to allow it;
But we lose time in conference, waite on her,
And be what thou wert borne for, King of Epire,
I must away.
Exit.
Lisi.
Successe ever attend you.
Is not the Queene yet comming forth?
Lisa.
Your servant,
You may command our duties,
This is the Court starre Philocles.
Phi.
The starre that we must saile by.
Lisa.
All must borrow
A light from him, the young Queene directs all
Her favours that way.
Phi.
Hees a noble Gentleman
And worthy of his expectations:
Too good to be the son of such a Father.
Lisa.
Peace, remember he is Lord Protector.
Phil.
We have more need of Heavens protection
I'th meane time, I wonder the old King
Did in his life designe him for the office.
Lisa.
He might suspect his faith, I have heard when
The King who was no Epirote advanc'd
His claime, Cassander, our Protector now,
Young then, oppos'd him toughly with his faction,
But forc'd to yeeld had faire conditions,
And was declar'd by the whole state next heire
Thriv'd in this daughter.
Phi.
Whom but for her smiles
And hope of marriage with Lisimachus,
His Father by some cunning had remov'd
Ere this.
Lisa.
Take heed, the Arras may have eares
I should not weepe much if his grace would hence
Remove to Heaven.
Phi.
I prethee what should he do there?
Lisa.
Some Offices will fall.
Phi.
And the sky too, ere I get one staire higher
While hees in place.
Enter Antigonus.
Ant.
Lisander, Philocles,
How lookes the day upon us? where's the Queene?
Phi.
In her bed-chamber.
Ant.
Who was with her?
Lisa.
None but the yong Lord Lisimachus.
Ant.
Tis no treason
If a man wish himselfe a Courtier
Of such a possibility: he has
The mounting fate.
Phi.
I would his Father were
Mounted toth' gallowes.
Ant.
He has a path faire enough,
If he survive by title of his Father.
Lisa.
The Queene will hasten his ascent.
Phi.
Would I wore Queene.
Ant.
Thou wod'st become rarely the peticote,
What wod'st thou doe?
Phi.
Why, I wod marry
My Gentleman usher, and trust all the strength
And burden of my state upon his legges,
Rather then be call'd wife by any sonne
Of such a Father.
Lisa.
Come lets leave this subject,
We may finde more secure discourse; when saw
Ant.
Theres a sparke, a youth moulded for a favorite,
The Queene might doe him honour.
Phi.
Favorite, tis too cheape a name, there were a match
Now for her Virgin blood.
Lisa.
Must every man
That has a hansome face or legge feed such
Ambition: I confesse I honour him,
He has a nimble soule, and gives great hope
To be no woman-hater, dances hansomely,
Can court a Lady powerfully, but more goes
Toth' making of a Prince? hees here
Ands Vncle.
Enter Arcadius, Macarius, Seleucus.
Sel.
Save you Gentlemen, who can direct me
To finde my Lord Protector?
Lisa.
He was here
Within this halfe houre, young Lisimachus
His sonne is with the Queene.
Sel.
There let him complement,
I have other businesse, ha? Arcadius!
Exit.
Phi.
Observ'd you with what eyes Arcadius
And he saluted, their two families
Will hardly reconcile.
Ant.
Seleucus carries
Himselfe too roughly, with what pride and scorne
He past by em.
Lisa.
The tother with lesse shew
Of anger carries pride enough in's soule,
I wish em all at peace, Macarius lookes
Are without civill warre, a good old man,
The old King lov'd him well, Seleucus Father
Was as deare to him, and maintain'd the character
Of an honest Lord through Epire: that two men
So lov'd of others, should be so unwell-come
To one another.
Arc.
The Queene was not wont to send for me.
Mac.
The reason's to her selfe,
It will become your duty to attend her.
Save you Gentlemen, what novelty
Does the Court breath to day?
Lisa.
None sir, the newes
That tooke the last impression is, that you
Purpose to leave the Kingdome, and those men,
That honour you, take no delight to heare it.
Arc.
I have ambition to see the difference
Of Courts, and this may spare; the delights
At home doe surfet, and the mistresse whom
We all doe serve is fixt upon one object,
Her beames are too much pointed, but no Country
Shall make me lose your memories.
Enter Queene, Lisimachus, Macarius, Charilla.
Que.
Arcadius.
Mac.
Your Lordship honord me,
I have no blessing in his absence.
Lisi.
Tis done like a pious Vncle.
Que.
We must not
Give any licence.
Arc.
If your Majesty
Would please.
Que.
We are not pleasd, it had become your duty,
To have first acquainted us, ere you declar'd
Your resolution publicke, is our Court
Not worth your stay?
Arc.
I humbly begge your pardon.
Que.
Where's Lisimachus?
Lisi.
Your humble servant Madam.
Que.
We shall finde
Employment at home for you, doe not lose us.
Arc.
Madam I then write my selfe blest on earth
When I may doe you service.
Que.
We would be private Macarius.
Mac.
Madam you have blest me,
Nothing but your command could interpose to
Stay him.
Que.
Lisimachus
You must not leave us.
Lisa.
Nothing but Lisimachus? has she not.
Exit.
Que.
Nay pray be cover'd, Ceremony from you,
Must be excus'd.
Lisi.
It will become my duty.
Que.
Not your love!
I know you would not have me looke upon
Your person as a Courtier, not as favorite,
That title were too narrow to expresse
How we esteeme you.
Lisi.
The least of all
These names from you Madam, is grace enough.
Que.
Yet here you wod not rest.
Lisi.
Not if you please?
To say there is a happinesse beyond,
And teach my ambition how to make it mine,
Although the honours you already have
Let fall upon your servant, exceed all
My merit; I have a heart is studious
To reach it with desert, and make if possible
Your favours mine by justice, with your pardon.
Que.
We are confident this needs no pardon sir,
But a reward to cherish your opinion,
And that you may keepe warme your passion,
Know we resolve for marriage, and if
I had another gift, beside my selfe,
Greater, in that you should discerne, how much
My heart is fixt.
Lisi.
Let me digest my blessing.
Que.
But I cannot resolve when this shall be,
Lisi.
How Madam? doe not make me dreame of Heaven
And wake me into misery, if your purpose
Be, to immortalize your humble servant,
Your power on earth's divine, Princes are here
The Coppies of eternity, and create
When they but will our happinesse.
Que.
I shall
Beleeve you mocke me in this argument,
I have no power.
How no power.
Que.
Not as a Queene.
Lisi.
I understand you not.
Que.
I must obey, your Fathers my Protector.
Lisi.
How?
Que.
When I am absolute, Lisimachus,
Our power and titles meete, before, we are but
A shadow, and to give you that were nothing,
Lisi.
Excellent Queene,
My love tooke no originall from state,
Or the desire of other greatnesse,
Above what my birth may challenge modestly,
I love your vertues; mercenary soules
Are taken with advancement, yo've an Empire
Within you, better then the worlds, to that
Lookes my ambition.
Que.
Tother is not fit
To be despisd, Cosmography allowes
Epire a place ith' mappe, and know till I
Possesse what I was borne to, and alone
Doe graspe the Kingdomes Scepter, I account
My selfe divided, he that marries me
Shall take an absolute Queene to his warme bosome,
My temples yet are naked, untill then
Our loves can be but complements, and wishes,
Yet very hearty ones.
Lisi.
I apprehend.
Que.
Your Father.
Enter Cassander, Seleucus.
Cas.
Madam, a Gentleman has an humble sure,
Que.
Tis in your power to grant, you are Protector,
I am not yet a Queene.
Cas.
Hows this?
Lisi.
I shall expound her meaning.
Queene.
Why kneele you sir?
Sel.
Madam to reconcile two families
That may unite, both counsells and their blood
To serve your Crowne.
Macarius, and Eubulus
That by are inveterate malice to each other.
It grew, as I have heard upon the question
Which some of either family had made,
Which of their Fathers was the best commander:
If we beleeve our stories, they have both
Deserved well of our state, and yet this quarrell
Has cost too many lives, a severe faction.
Sel.
But Ile propound a way to plant a quiet
And peace in both our houses, which are torne
With their dissentions, and lose the glory
Of their great names, my blood speakes my relation
To Eubulus, and I wish my veines were emptyed
To appease their warre.
Que.
Thou hast a noble soule,
This is a charity above thy youth,
And it flowes bravely from thee, name the way.
Sel.
In such a desperate cause, a little streame
Of blood might purge the foulenesse of their hearts
If youle prevent a deluge.
Que.
Be particular.
Sel.
Let but your Majesty consent, that two
May with their personall valour undertake
The honour of their family, and determine
Their difference.
Que.
This rather will inlarge
Their hate, and be a meanes to call more blood
Into the streame.
Sel.
Not if both families
Agree, and sweare—
Que.
And who shall be the Champions.
Sel.
I beg the honour, for Eubulus cause
To be ingag'd, if any for Macarius,
Worthy to wager heart with mine, accept it,
I am confident, Arcadius
For honour would direct me to his sword,
Will not deny, to stake against my life
His owne, if you vouchsafe us priviledge.
You are the expectation and toppe boughs
Of both your houses, it would seeme injustice.
To allow a civill warre to cut you off,
And your selves the instruments, besides
You appeare a souldier, Arcadius
Hath no acquaintance yet with rugged warre,
More fit to drill a Lady then expose
His body to such dangers: a small wound
Ith' head may spoyle the method of his haire,
Whose curiosity exacts more time
Than his devotion, and who knowes but he
May lose his riban by it in his locke,
Deare as his Saint, with whom he would exchange
His head, for her gay colours; then his band
May be disorderd, and transform'd from Lace
To Cutworke, his rich cloathes be discomplexioned
With blood, beside the infashionable slashes,
And at the next festivall take physicke,
Or put on blacke, and mourne for his slaine breeches:
His hands cas'd up in gloves all night, and sweate
Pomatum, the next day may be endanger'd
To blisters with a sword, how can he stand
Vpon his guard, who hath fidlers in his head,
To which, his feet must ever be a dancing.
Beside a falsify may spoyle his cringe,
Or making of a legge, in which consists
Much of his Court perfection.
Sel.
Is this Character
Bestow'd on him?
Que.
It something may concerne the Gentleman,
Whom if you please to challenge
To dance, play on the Lute, or sing.
Sel.
Some catch?
Que.
He shall not want those will maintaine him
For any summe.
Sel.
You are my Soveraigne,
I dare not thinke, yet I must speake somewhat,
I shall burst else, I have no skill in jigges,
Que.
How sir?
Sel.
Nor was I borne a Minstrell, and in this you have
So infinitely disgraced Arcadius,
But that I have heard another Character,
And with your royall licence doe beleeve it,
I should not thinke him worth my killing,
Que.
Your killing?
Sel.
Does she not jeere mee;
I shall talke treason presently, I finde it
At my tongues end already, this is an
Affront, Ile leave her.
Que.
Come backe, doe you know Arcadius?
Sel.
I ha changd but little breath with him, our persons
Admit no familiarity, we were
Borne to live both at distance, yet I ha seene him
Fight, and fight bravely.
Que.
When the spirit of Wine
Made his braine valliant he fought bravely.
Sel.
Although he be my enemy, should any
Of the gay flyes that buzze about the Court,
Sit to catch trouts ith' summer, tell me so,
I durst in any presence but your owne.
Que.
What?
Sel.
Tell him he were not honest.
Que.
I see Seleucus thou art resolute,
And I but wrong'd Arcadius, your first
Request is granted, you shall fight, and he
That conquers be rewarded to confirme
First place and honour to his family:
Is it not this you plead for?
Sel.
You are gracious.
Que.
Lisimachus.
Lisi.
Madam.
Cas.
She has granted then?
Sel.
With much adoe.
Cas.
I wish thy sword may open
His wanton veines, Macarius is too popular,
And has taught him to insinuate.
Que.
It shall
But haste the confirmation of our loves,
Exit cun. Sel.
Lisi.
As I guest,
It cannot be too soone.
Cas.
To morrow then we crowne her, and invest
My sonne with Majesty, tis to my wishes,
Beget a race of Princes my Lisimachus.
Lisi.
First let us marry sir.
Cas.
Thy brow was made
To weare a golden circle, I'me transported,
Thou shalt rule her, and I will governe thee.
Lisi.
Although you be my Father, that will not
Concerne my obedience, as I take it.
Enter Philocles, Lisander, and Antigonus.
Gentlemen,
Prepare your selves for a solemnity
Will turne the Kingdome into triumph, Epire
Looke fresh to morrow, 'twill become your duties
In all your glory to attend the Queene
At her Coronation, she is pleased to make
The next day happy in our Callender,
My Office doth expire, and my old blood
Renewes with thought on't.
Phi.
Hows this?
Ant.
Crown'd to morrow.
Lisa.
And he so joyfull to resigne his regency,
There's some tricke in't, I doe not like these hasty
Proceedings, and whirles of state, they have commonly
As strange and violent effects; well, heaven save the Queen.
Phi.
Heaven save the Queene say I, and send her a sprightly
Bed-fellow, for the Protector, let him pray for
Himselfe, he is like to have no benefit of my devotion.
Cas,
But this doth quicken my old heart Lisimachus,
There is not any step into her throne,
But is the same degree of thy owne state;
Come Gentlemen.
Lisa.
We attend your grace.
Cas.
Lisimachus.
Lisi.
What heretofore could happen to mankinde
Was with much paine to clime to heaven, but in
Sophias marryage of all Queenes the best,
Heaven will come downe to earth; to make me blest.
Ext.
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