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41

THE SECOND ACT.

After the foregoing Song, loud Musick, and let Claridiana descend alone, by a pair of stairs on the right hand, and let it be quite another Scene.
Cla.
In what a War, Father unjust,
Hast thou plung'd me? for what cause
Didst thou confine my choice to Laws
So Heterogeneal to my gust?
What satisfaction to thy dust
Can it be, I so should wed?
Who put that fancy in thine head?
That I should not be capabel
To chuse for my own self, as well,
As thou for me, after thou 'rt dead?
42

O (in thy own opinion) wise!
How have thy spectacles discern'd,
That there, where I am most concern'd,
I must be cozen'd by mine Eyes?
Admit, they should their choice revise,
And rue too late with sad reflection
Their Errour in their undeception:
Were it not better owe that Ill
To the deception of my will,
Than to the wilfulness of thy deception?
If to Inchantments thou confide
My happiness, thou may'st with much
More ground, what I shall chuse for such,
Trust to my Spirit and my Pride:
If a Star's trusted to provide
A Match for me, though that see far,
'Tis fair, and therefore like to erre
In Happiness, and (with thy leave)
As to Love matters (I conceive)
A Woman knows more than a Star.
If it be noted a thing rare,
For Beauty fortunate to prove,
Yet I may fortunately love;
For what have I to do with Fair?
But Beauty now will quite despair
That ever Bliss to her should come,
When (cruel Father!) by thy doom
I, who have none, condemn'd must be,
Dead to my self, to live to thee:
Like a Watch candle in a Tomb.
43

Is it decreed I must admit
Perforce of Love? what madness, this?
Serves Beauty only to hand bliss
T'another, that usurpeth it?
Virtue, Education, Wit,
To be noble, to be fair,
To be ev'ry thing that's rare,
Let not these for ever be
Woman's infelicitie,
Let not these for ever scare.
My years in Hymen's slavish bands!
The freedom of my Soul reduc'd
To live after another's Gust!
I, moulded in another's hands!
At an imperious Man's Commands!
It must not be: Let Men divine
With similies; Let them in fine
Date Beauty by a flow'r that blows:
(How everlasting in a Rose!
How trivial in a Jesamine!)
Fright Fools with this, That Youth's a blaze:
That, which my Envy doth engage,
Is the Prerogative of Age;
Which from a higher ground survays
The Labyrinth of humane ways,
And, undeceiv'd by Time, doth know
That all's deception here below;
And whether calm, or storm appears,
Is laid up in the Bay of Years,
And lets it shine, and lets it blow.
44

No ancient Fester, no new Sore,
Makes Age wish Cupids Bow were burst,
For Time by this hath cur'd the first;
And high time 'tis, to have no more,
Love's golden Field being now all hoar.
Free I was born, and remain free;
Mine own I am, If I will be
Another's, 'tis my fault; with whom
For me unhappy to become,
Can never happen without me.
Liberty, my noble Will:
For these Ills, so well forecast,
How bitter will they be to taste,
When, imagin'd but, they kill?
Indeed the Fates have us'd me ill:
I ask them not Revenge, nor Pelf,
But quiet, and to 'scape a shelf.
This sure can be no great offence;
'Tis begging in my own defence
To pray I may but save my self.

Enter Floranteo.
Flo.
This now is Love's last Will, and last shall be,
Which (thankful to the hand that gave me death)
Shall leave my Murtheress a Legacie,
And sigh her Blessings with my dying breath:
And these shall be not the first tears, which, still'd
Out of the Bosom's principaller part,
Shall have the Fate of Wealth profusely spill'd,
Which seldom meets with any grateful heart:
45

And this shall be a Love so obstinate,
That, for all Love it shall a pattern grow,
To live in spight of Time, or Change, or Hate,
Yet there's one comfort amidst all this woe,
That, for a wretch his way to death to grope,
There needs in fine, nor Remedy, nor Hope.
To Her.
Upon the License giv'n by thee
This glorious Pile to come and see,
Hundreds do flock, to view the Place,
But thousands to behold thy Face;
Whom, though these Knights did disinchant,
Th'Adventure is not finisht yet,
Because that Wise, and Valiant,
Have not in one subject met:
So, in the Sword again it lies,
By Duel to decide the Prize.

Cla.
I weigh not my dead Sires command,
Where his Will his Law I find;
No King that ever Rul'd a Land,
Could stretch his Empire to the mind.
I wonder in my heart, that he
(With all his Wisedom) could not see,
The Husband he did fore-decree,
Would not so well examin'd be
By an Inchantment, as by Me:
Nor so authentick in Love-matters
An Old-Man's judgement, as his Daughters.
This is a Lott'ry, I profess,
Not giving him the happiness
Who hath most worth but best success.
46

And may not I acquainted be
With who they are?

Flo.
It may suffice
To know, they're both of Knights degree,
And that thy Sire was very wise.

Cla.
I have a better way to know
Who's Valiantest, and Wisest.

Flo.
How?

Cla.
He shall be the Valiantest
Who my scorns best suffer can—

Flo.
Good.

Cla.
And him that loves me best
I shall count the wisest Man.
But sadly, I do live in fear;
For, though I would not fair appear,
And, though in truth I am not fair,
Haunted I am, like those that are:
And here, among these rustling leaves,
With which the wanton Wind doth play,
Inspir'd by it, my Sense perceives
This snowy Jesamine (whisp'ring) say;
How much more frolick, white, and fair,
In her green-lattice she doth stand,
T'enjoy the free and cooler Air,
Than in the prison of a hand.

Flo.
Madam, Thou might'st be pleas'd to read
Other Lessons in this Mead;
All whose Flowers (as from the Spring)
Take from thee their life and being.
See, this Jesamine; which doth owe
To thy Hand fingers of Snow,
To its soveraign whiteness, how
All his silver Banners bow!
47

See, that sanguine Gilly-flow'r
(Spicy, big with pearly showre)
Which a new Aurora dips
In the scarlet of thy Lips!
See, the Lilly's so pure white,
It might be margent to the Light!
Such a white Foyl to those black Eyes
Is that smooth Forehead's christal Rise.
See; a quire of Nightingales;
Bidding thee a thousand Hales;
Twice taken for their Morning bright,
By the Flowers; and by the Light!
For in those clear Eyes, Ray for Ray,
The Sun's translated, and made better,
And, flow'r for flow'r, in those Cheeks May
Copied in a Fairer Letter.
But, least in limning Thee my Art
Should play th'unskilful Painters part,
Let this Christal River pass
For thy liquid Looking-glass.
See thy self there! but, if thine Eye
Too long on that sweet Centre dwell—

Cla.
This Man (I fear me) by and by
Will drop into Narcissus Well.
Since now I came, where I am Witness to
The Worlds Ambitions, I have no content.

Flo.
Not, that your self you disinchanted view.

Cla.
Thou nam'st the thing which I do most resent.
48

Till then, I liv'd in jollity,
On others dangers looking down,
Form the serene Tranquility
Which my Soul truly term'd her own:
For, plac'd above what Man calls Bliss,
And (into her self retir'd)
By a heavenly Ecstasis
Ravish'd, elevated, fir'd;
She saw the multitude of Woes,
A fair one on her self bestowes,
When 'tis her Riches, and her Pride,
To see her Lovers multiply'd.
Who, ev'n to qualifie disdains
(For, not disdaining, Beauty's dull)
Must be content to take the pains
To be reputed Beautiful.
And, if with beautiful disdain
To let Men fall, it be her stile;
Ev'n by Refusals this they'll gain,
That she hath thought of them the while.
I look'd, if underneath the Cope
Were one that lov'd, and did not hope;
But from his Nobler Soul remove
That modern Heresie in Love:
When, hearing a shrill voyce, I turn,
And (loe!) a sweet-tongu'd Nightingal
(Tender adorer of the Morn)
In him I found that one and all:
49

For that same faithful Bird, and true,
(Sweet and kind, and constant Lover)
Wond'rous Passion did discover
From the terrace of an Eugh.
And, though ungrateful she, appear'd
Unmov'd with all she saw and heard;
Ev'ry day, before 'twas day,
More and kinder things he'd say.
Courteous, and never to be lost,
Return'd not with complaints, but praise;
Loving, and all at his own cost,
Suff'ring, and without hope of Ease:
For, with a sad and trembling throat,
He breaths into her breast this Note,
I love thee not, to make thee mine;
But love thee, 'cause thy Form's Divine.
Here now was candour! Here Faith strove!
How rul'd a pain! how full of duty!
Not his own happiness to love;
But to love anothers Beauty!
Where (O how base!) the Man, whose flame
Soars highest, if he spy no Game,
Aurora's self (so fresh so gay)
Shall see him late a second day:
And I was scandaliz'd at Love
(If, since the thing did hence remove,
The name remains) to find one can
Believe a Nightingale, and not a Man.

50

Flo.
Believe't (when he does love) a Man
Loves more than Bruits or do, or can:
His tow'ring Passion scorns to vale
T'a silly short-wing'd Nightingale.
The Nightingale loves nothing else
But the presence of his Dame;
Love (like Faith) in this excels,
That see, or not, it is the same.
The Morning hears his Roundelaies,
Which though she do not thank him for;
A Dame, that listens to her praise,
May be presum'd not to abhor.
The diff'rence then is very great:
For, where there is most diffidence,
A Cause that can a hearing get
Will pick an Eye of Hope from thence.
But Oh! the space (Madam) the space
Betwixt his passion, and relief,
Who suffers, and restrains his Grief,
Nor open'd to the Judge his Case.
For once I will discover mine,
Not to perswade thee to incline
The least, but only let thee see
What silence thou hast ow'd to me.
O, how it sweeten would my pain,
Could my Cause hope but to be cast
Out, after formal sentence past,
In the fair Court of thy Disdain!
51

For, though I have a Patience
Which needs not this experiment,
Yet I would owe experience
It self to being a Patient.

Cla.
Henceforth thou shalt not to my face
Tell me I would not hear thy Case;
Nor me with thy dumb Passion twit,
For thou hast disinvelop'd it.
Him, who his silence for respect
Obtrudes upon my estimation,
For punishment I will direct
To speak in nothing, nor no fashion.
For, if he persevere not mute,
I'll tell him, and I'll (smiling) do't,
What time his pain hath speechless been,
'T was 'cause (being small) he bit it in.
Which if he now could do no more,
But Love brake ope his prison dore;
Though with dark-keeping he was mad,
He's tame, since he began to gad.
I make no diff'rence 'twixt a wrong,
And telling me thou do'st despair;
Love haulks at hope, when in a Tongue
He walks abroad to take the Air.
If nourish hope thou ought'st not, Thou
Do'st thy self wrong, as well as me,
Confiscating by speaking now
The merit of thy Secrecie.
52

He, that of honour understands,
Pain'd, hath his cure in his own hands:
The glory of concealing it,
The smart of suff'ring it doth quit,
And (Floranteo) for the Truth
Of thy Affection, I should doubt it,
But that one thing confirm me doth,
That I desire to be without it.

Flo.
My Errour did not think to be
So much beholding unto Thee:
And faintly hop'd, from thine own mouth
The undeceiving of my Youth.
I, better than I look'd for, fare;
Though I presum'd to entertain
Some thought, that to compleat despair
I might be help'd by thy disdain.
Be not so prodigal of scorns,
On me thy Rigours do not wast;
With such a deluge of good turns
I may grow insolent at last.
And I to thee would owe no more,
Meaning to dye to pay this shot,
And set thee something on my score—

Cla.
I hear thee, and I hear thee not.

Flo.
My death will bring some good to thee
In ridding thee of me.

Cla.
I doubt it:
Thy death will bring no good to me,
For I'll be rid of thee without it.

Offers to go away.
53

Flo.
Into the Garden comes a Knight.

Cla.
Withdraw, that I may see, unseen,
Whether, or no, he doth acquit
The promise of his Princely Meen.

Exit Floranteo.
Cla.
No Man was born to be my Husband, no Man
Deserves a Love. For as, when this Man's scorn'd,
His everlasting whining deafs a Woman;
So that grows sawcy, if his Love's return'd.
The best unjustly blames the worst of Fate,
Is it unjust to give to all their due?
He is a Man; enough to merit Hate:
He loves me; that's unpardonable too.
Nor let fair Virgins murmur at their chance
Of being entit'led to ill luck. O dull,
Though frequently repeated, Ignorance!
Is't no good luck then to be beautiful?
For if to make us happy, Men were able;
What needed more to make us miserable?

Enter Felisbravo.
Fel.
A second Argo, fraighted
With Fear and Avarice,
Between the Sea and Skies.
Hath penetrated
To the new World, unworn
With the red footsteps of the snowy Morn;
Thirsty of Mines,
She comes rich back, and the curl'd Rampire past
Of watry Mountains, cast
Up by the winds,
Ungrateful shelf near home
Gives her usurped Gold a silver Tomb.
54

A devout Pilgrim, who
To forreign Temple bare
Good pattern, fervent prayre,
Spurr'd by a pious Vow,
Meas'ring so large a space
That Earth lack'd Regions for his Plants to trace;
Joyful returns, though poor,
And, just by his aboad,
Falling into a Road
Which Laws did ill secure,
Sees plunder'd by a Thief,
(O happier Man than I!) for 'tis his Life.
Conspicuous grows a Tree,
Which (Wanton) did appear
First fondling of the Year
With smiling Braverie,
And in his blooming pride
The lower house of Flowers did deride:
When his silk Robes, and fair,
(His Youth's imbellishing
The Crownet of a Spring,
Narcissus of the Air)
Rough Boreas doth confound,
And with his Trophies strews the scorned ground:
Trusted to tedious hope
So many months the Corn,
Which now begins to turn
Into a golden Crop;
The lusty Grapes, which (plump)
Are the last farewell of the Summers pomp;
55

(How spatious spreads the Vine!
Nurs'd up with how much care!
She lives, she thrives, grows fair!
'Bout her lov'd Elm doth twine)
Comes a cold Cloud, and lays
In one, the Fabrick of so many days:
A silver River small
In sweet Accents
His Musick vents
(The warbling Virginal
To which the merry Birds do sing,
Timed with stops of gold the chrystal string)
He steals by a green Wood
With fugitive feet
(Gay, jolly, sweet)
Comes me a troubled Flood,
And scarcely one sand stays
To be a witness of his golden days.
The Ship's up-weigh'd;
The Pilgrim made a Saint;
Next Spring recrowns the Plant;
Winds raise the Corn was laid;
The Vine is prun'd;
The Rivulet new tun'd;
But in the Ill I have,
I'm left alive only to dig my Grave.
Lost Beauty, I will dye
But I will thee recover,
And that I dye not instantly
Shews me more perfect Lover:
56

For (my Soul gone before)
I live not now to live, but to deplore.

Cla.
(This is he that was more stout.)

Aside.
Fel.
In these blind Paths I go,
To hunt my Foe;
Whom having once found out,
His Blood shall purge the soyl
Of a short nap, and an immortal spoyl.

Cla.
(Aside.)
(Well (believe't) the Man's no Fool,
Nor a boist'rous Sword-man solie:
For Wisdom (taught in Sorrow's School)
Is the Child of Melancholy.)

Fel.
Am I a Prince? or am I vile?
Am I a refined Lover?
Am I stout? yet all this while
Not the Picture to recover?

Cla.
(Heav'n be juster then that he
Have a Picture had of me!)

Aside.
Fel.
Fairest Madam, well 'tis seen
I was ignorant indeed,
That durst wrong so bright a Queen—

Cla.
(Wrong'd he me in word or deed?)

Aside.
Fel.
Yet wise enough I am to know
Losing my painted Mistress,
The unpainted one will after go—

Cla.
(Else she her self a Statue is.)

Aside.
Fel.
A Voice!

Cla.
He has me in his Ear,
Therefore will I my self unshroud,
And try his Wit too—Knight.

Fel.
Who's there?
Claridiana shews her self.
What Heav'n! what Sun breaks through a Cloud!

57

Cla.
Though my presence All admit,
Thy presumption wants much Wit,
If, before the Enterprize
Be wholly finish'd, thou suppose
To pry into the Mysteries
Which these inchanted Walls inclose.
To tame two Dragons you account
Is one Woman to subdue;
But, upon an Audit, true,
It will not to so much amount.
Lovers are Heroical
When they sigh, and when they weep,
When before our Feet they fall,
When they stand in studies deep.
Manhood I despise not (This,
And justly, all the World approve)
But show, what kind of Manhood 'tis
Which conquers in the Wars of Love:
And, the great odds if Thou regard
Betwixt My Self and this dire Spell,
To vanquish It Thou found'st it hard;
But Me it is impossibel.

Aside.
Fel.
Respect may to this Dame be shown,
Though Mistresse I another call:
For, though the Heart can lodge but one,
Civility hath Room for all.
To Her aloud.
Claridiana (Theam of Fame)
I am a Man would blush my lame
Should own an Object, but the most
Accomplisht one the World can boast.
58

And know my Spirit is so high,
That at less Game it scorns to flye
Then where the greatest difficulties lye.
This, which my lucky Sword hath lately reapt,
Was not the Victory I did design;
Whose Valour for a Shield is kept
To bear the brunt of scorns divine.
Over strong Spells to be victorious,
Guilds (I must confess) a name,
But, to submit unto a Dame,
This to me seems much more glorious.
For there, my valour takes my part,
My strength, and my good Sword, befriend me:
But in this War I have no heart,
No steel Brest-plate can defend me.
If, first the Foe's invincible,
And I betray'd by my own fear;
T'o'recome how is it possible
Where arms against my self I bear?
In the glorying of my Love
I abide no Competition,
Nor in the cause whence it doth move,
Nor of the pain in the fruition;
Yet, so great Love my grief exceeds,
And this grief likewise owns a chief:
For a lost Lady my Heart bleeds,
But't will not break, and that's my grief.

59

Aside.
Cla.
Equally witty, and discreet;
He covers, but not hides his Flame;
Holds his Game so, that I may see't,
Yet I'll not seem to see his Game.
To him.
With what end lov'st thou?

Fel.
With what end?
My Love is the perpetual moving;
No end in loving I pretend,
No end will ever make of loving.
Love is of Love the only scope:
Love scorneth to be mercenary:
You find not such a word as Hope
In all the Lovers Dictionary.
Nay, Love alone doth scandal me:
For the silent'st and most wise,
From sights, from peeping is not free
Out at the casements of the Eyes.
See, 'twill now, and now 'twill hear;
And the least of joy it gits,
Whether at the Eye, or Ear,
Puts it clean beside the wits.
First know, I have a Misteriss;
Then, that to her true Faith I bear:
And, where Faith once through kindled is,
Superfluous are the Senses there.

60

Cla.
Hop'st thou nothing?

Fel.
Nothing I
Either hope, or yet desire.
Yes I do, to live and dye
In this elemental fire.
She, in her self, is proof 'gainst all:
Then, for me to aim at her,
Were to add a Brazen Wall;
So successless is my Star.
Nor so alone in things of Love;
But my Life over and above,
Because on her it doth depend,
I have no power to make it end.
And (the full Case to understand)
My Life and Death, because in fine
Love hath put them in her hand,
Both are therefore out of mine.

Aside.
Cla.
From the mark I shot not wide,
When him of folly I did quit:
For the sharp Sword that arms his side
Hath much to envy in his Wit.
'Tis not against Majesty
His discretion to approve;
Nor, if his good parts I spy,
Must it presently be love.
His goodly shape, his flowing meen,
His talk, and what his valour wrought,
May claim attention from a Queen,
Yet ne're sink deeper in her thought.
61

A leaning (Knight) I do confess—

Enter Zelidaura and Roselinda in the habit of Shepherdesses, their Faces muffled with silver Scarfs.
Zel.
In this Countrey-tone and dress
Disguised rudely, safe we are.

Ros.
Man-like bent to feats of War
Of a Woman's left in thee
Only Curiositie.
What boots it thee to understand
Who a Man is?

Zel.
What doth't boot?
When I my picture found in's hand,
And now may opportunely do't?

To Felisbravo.
Cla.
Lies your happiness in this,
To overcome the other Knight?

Fel.
Madam, all my life and bliss.

Cla.
In the name of MARS then, fight—
Aside.
Who grant (say I) thou maist subdue!

Zelidaura spies them together.
Zel.
Bless me! who is this I see?
(Is it?—'Tis not—) Ah! 'tis He:
With Claridiana too:
O Sigh! base brat, not of the Royal Mind,
With which I'm lin'd,
But of this Clown's false cover
I have drawn over.
What matters it?—Much, the contempt—In Love
The least misprission doth High Treason prove.
62

This hath a tang of Jealousie.
I, disorder'd? Plaintiff, I?
Should any thing the Heav'ns beneath,
Make me a mean complaint to breath!
I, resentments! I, in wroth!
I, concern'd in breach of Troth!
I? who, to make fond Love depart,
Hung padlocks on my Eyes and Heart.
Though in this war, I feel beginning,
I doubt not in the end of winning
The victory; one moments wasting
This way, I pay with blushes everlasting.
Claridoro scorn'd, and curb'd,
Not for neglect, but too much Love?
Am I asleep to one I have disturb'd?
Doth one, that sleeps at me, my Larum prove?
Odd figaries hath this Cupid;
Strangely kill'd, and strangely born;
If kindness make him dull and stupid,
And if that he be rows'd with scorn.
But what have I to do with LOVE,
And the frailer Woman's Law?

Cla.
Women are there in this grove?
Then 'tis time that I withdraw.

Aside.
Fel.
'Twas for manners I forbore
To take leave of her before.
Ah! Zelidaura, (Mistress fair)
No joy is, but where you are.

63

Aside.
Cla.
Of Valour thou maist justly boast,
That conquer'st wheresoe're thou go'st.

Claridiana goes away by degrees casting looks back at him.
Zel.
So is split in twain a River,
And the streams (bound sev'ral ways)
In a kind of am'rous maze
Back at one another gaze:
As this melting Couple sever.

Cla.
Inclination, not so fast:
For from me one gracious look,
Speaks more in that diminutive book,
Then other Women in a Volume vast.
From me then (Love) enough is wrung:
For where Honour tyes the tongue,
She, who doth a Suppliant hear,
Makes him answer with her Ear.
To Him.
Knight, to overcome endeavour.

Fel.
Lady, I shall do't, or dye.

Aside.
Cla.
Disinchanted, more than ever
Re-inchanted now, am I.
Exit Claridiana.

Zel.
Just there, where I did point thee, stay:
But come, if any bend this way.

Ros.
Alone you'll be, if I am gone.

Zel.
By my self, is not alone.

64

Ros.
True: The Man doth still remain.

Zel.
Then, I am alone again.
Exit Roselinda.
I'll see, whether his wit keep pace
With his valour, garb, and face.

Fel.
What a spanking Labradora!

Zel.
Yow (th'unkent Knight) Godyegudmora!

Fel.
(The time of day thou dost mistake)

Zel.
—And joy—

Fel.
Of what?

Zel.
That I discover,
By a sure sign, yow are awake.

Fel.
Awake?—the sign?

Zel.
Yowr being a Lover.

Fel.
In love am I?

Zel.
And very deep.

Fel.
Deep in love? how is that seen?

Zel.
Perfectly: yow do not sleep

Fel.
Rustick Excellence, unskreen,
And discover that sweet face,
Which covers so much Wit and Grace.

Zel.
Yow but dreamt so: sleep agin,
And forget it.

Fel.
Why now (Saint?)

Zel.
Why? the Lady, that went in,
Lukes, as if that she did paint.

Fel.
What has that to do with sleeping?
She is, indeed, Angelical.

Zel.
That Picture now's well worth yowr keeping:
For why? 'tis an Original.

Fel.
Is this Shepherdess a Witch?
Or saw the sleeping Treason, which
I committed against Love,
Erst, in the Inchanted Grove?
65

Me, hast thou ever seen, before?

Zel.
Seen? I, and know thee, for a Man
That will turn him, and sleep more
Than a dozen Dunces can.
Thow kenst little, what Sighs mean!

Fel.
Unveil (by Jove) that Face serene.

Zel.
What, to make thee sleep agene?

Fel.
Still, in Riddles!

Zel.
Now, he sees:
This pinching wakes him by degrees.

Fel.
Art thou a Nymph.

Zel.
Of Parnass-Green.

Fel.
Sleep I, indeed? or am I mad?

Zel.
None serve thee, but th'Inchawnted Queen?
I think what dull conceipts y'have had,
Of the Bird Phoenix, which no Eye
E're saw, an odoriferous Lye.
How, of her Beauties spells, she's told;
That by her spirit thow art hawnted;
And, having slept away the old,
With this new Mistress worse inchawnted.

Fel.
I affect not, Shepherdess,
My self in such fine terms t'express;
Suffizeth me, an humble strain:
Too little happy, to be vain!
Vnveil—

Zel.
Sir Gallant, not so fast.

He offers at her Scarf.
Fel.
See thee I will.

Zel.
See me yow shall:
But, towch not Fruit, yow mun not tast.
What says it, now the leaf doth fall.

Unmuffles her self.
66

Fel.
It says, 'tis worthy to comprize
The Kernel of so rare a Wit:
Nor, that it grows in Paradice,
But Paradice doth grow in it!
The tall and slender Trunk no less divine,
Though in a lowly Shepherdesse's Rine!
Aside.
This should be that so famous Queen,
For unquell'd Valour, and disdain.
In these Inchanted Woods is seen
Nothing but Illusions vain!

Zel.
What stares the Man at?

Fel.
I compare
A Picture, I once mine did call,
With the divine Original.

Zel.
Fall'n asleep again yow are.
We, poor humane Sepherd-lasses,
Nor are pictur'd, nor use Glasses.
“Who skip their rank doe'm selves, and Betters wrong:
“T'our Dames (God bless them) such queint things belong.
Here, a tiny Brook alone,
Which, freng'd with borrowed Flowers (he has
Gold and Siller enough on's own)
Is Heavens proper Looking-glass,
Copies us; and Its reflections
Shewing natural perfections,
Free from soothing, free from Errour;
Are our Pencil, are our Mirrour.

67

Fel.
Art thou a Shepherdess?

Zel.
And bore
On a Mountain called, There—

Fel.
Wear'st thou ever heretofore
Lady's Cloaths?

Zel.
I Lady's Gear?
Yes (what a treach'rous Powl have I!)
In a Countrey-Comedy
I once enacted a main part
(Still I have it half by heart)
The famous History it was
Of an Arabian—(let me see)
No, of a Queen of Tartaree:
Who all her Sex did far surpass
In Beauty, Wit, and Chivalree:
Who, with invincible disdain,
Would fool, when she was in the vain,
Princes, with all their Wits about them;
But, and they slept, to death she'd flout them.
And, by the Mass, with such a Meen
My Majesty did play the Queen:
Our Curate had my Picture made
In the same Robes in which I Play'd.

Fel.
And what's thy name?

Zel.
Laura, forsooth.

Fel.
O pleasant Play, and bitter truth!
That I, who dreamt of Zelidaura,
Should wake, should wake, and find her Laura!
68

Aside.
O beauteous Counterfeit of Majesty!
Nature, what made thee make so fair a Lye?
Where is that crowned Beauty now become?
That Lyon's Courage, kindling at a Drum?
Those manly Deeds? Those Papps, which Armour prest?
Achilles once more in a Kercher drest?
Semiramis 'is Mode, who not with Box,
But Teeth of Laurlel, comb'd her golden Locks?
Where, my heroick and dear Flame, which sprung
From Painters Pencil, and a Captives Tongue?
Consum'd to ashes of a Rustick Love,
Rude Goddess of these Rocks, and this wild Grove?
Is't come to this? I then absolve thee, sleep;
And blame my high thoughts, that so low could creep.
To Tartary will I, But I am mad
If I do love that Queen, unless she add
This Beauty to those Virtues; and shall rave
If both this Body, and that Soul, she have.

Aside.
Zel.
What stands he mutt'ring to himself? May be
He likes me not. If he sought after me
Under the notion of a Queen, I'd have
Him find me a mean Shepherdess: I save
My Honour so. The Traitor shall not think
He (ZELIDAURA in his hand) could wink.
Hence Women learn, for all your Lovers brags,
Men are no friends to Beauty cloath'd in Rags.
If Beauty strike Love's Fire, why should it, less,
Than in a Queen, plac'd in a Shepherdess?
Nor does; but (when it seems the World to set
On fire) where dowry wants, the tinder's wet.
69

To Him.
Mought I entreat yowr Worships Name,
And the bus'ness yow have here?

Fel.
Squire of a forreign Prince I am,
Who to this glorious Theatre—

Zel.
Not a Master? By my troth
My own tongues end it was upon:
A mischief take thee, by thy sloth
I thought thou wert a Zerving-mon.

Fel.
No more that string.

Zel.
He goes conceal'd:
Aside.
A Knight he is I'm certain; At
Th'Inchanted Castle I saw that;
And, by his garb too, 'tis reveal'd.
To Him.
Follows he (saidst thou) this Emprize?

Fel.
In love, upon the score of Fame,
With the most accomplisht Dame
That ever murther'd Man with Eyes,
And the Worlds greatest Queen; to this
Inchantment came he, where an envious Thief
(The Coward Rival of his Bliss)
Found means to rob him of his chief
Delight, and Glory, in that thing
From which his most Heroick thoughts did spring.

Zel.
O Usage, courser than my Coat, and more
Then I could bear, were I as Lambkin meek!
That one, who Zelidaura wore,
Should Claridana seek!
70

'Tis to apostatize from Reason,
To think more of him. Treason! Treason!
To enter my Benevolence,
At the back-gate of an Offence!

Enter Roselinda.
Ros.
Claridoro comes—he's here:
Muffle thee quickly.

Zel.
What disgust?

Fel.
One, to be born a Mountaneer,
That ows such Beauty? how unjust!—
Who is't

Zel.
A Man, of whom I stand
In awe a little.

Fel.
(O, that hand!—)
Rural Goddess, keep'st thou Sheep?

Zel.
Yes, and my self I better keep.

Enter Claridoro.
Claro.
I'd love without reward, and cannot do't,
To love, is Love's Reward; I would endure
For her, what not? and that such joy to boot
That in my smart I play the Epicure.
I pray 'gainst Life, and with the self same breath
Unpray that Pray'r, lest it the Gods should hear
'Tis to be out of pain; I then fly death,
And Valour councels me what others fear.
If I do live, my wound may seem but slight;
And if I dye, Loves Trophy I remove:
To live, 's to pine; to dye, 's to lose her sight;
My two supporters then, are Grief and Love:
For where Grief's Dropsie, and Love's Feaver strive,
Though either kill, both often keep alive.

71

To Felisbravo.
Zel.
In fine, aspir'st thou to be glorious
By conqu'ring thy Competitor?

Fel.
'Tis that my Love contendeth for.

Aside.
Zel.
O, maist thou never prove victorious
But do: for mine own self, I conquer will,
And whom thou conquer'st then, it doth not skill.

Claridoro turns and sees them.
Claro.
What's this? what feel I there? Is't not
Zelidaure, who (meanly clad)
Hath her own Majesty forgot,
And affronts my Love too bad?
What jealous thoughts surprize me? I do fear
She (bent to Arms) affects the Valianter:
But he was not so; if to dare things high
Be Valour, who was valianter than I?
I, who her first of Alms am yet to gain,
Of her facility shall I complain?
Was not enough for me my own distress,
But I must dye of others happiness?
My Soul contending with so many Foes,
I would not have it link with Envy's blows.
“More gen'rous wounds were made for nobler Hearts,
“and in base blood are steep'd pale Envy's darts.
Thus, jealous I should be, and know not how.
Envy I could, but Envy disallow:
Then must I bear it? must I? let me think—
'Twere monst'rous tameness to look on, and wink.
Nor Love, nor Honour, such a Scene approve:
I'll chide then, mixt yet with respect and Love.
72

To Her.
Ho! Shepherdess, is this well done
To mind thy Recreation
In Gardens, whilst another way
Thy flock doth on the mountain stray?
Although head-shepherd thou have not,
Yet nothing is by gadding got.
Perdie, to see thee in this plain,
Grypes many a sprunt and jolly Swain.
Back to the field, and Brooks return,
And Pastures graz'd in heretoforn,
Nor mell with any others sheep,
Sith thou a flock of mine do'st keep.
To Him.
Nor Thee, th'ambition of whose fire
Doth (soaring) to a Queen aspire.
Beseems it stoop from so high place,
A Rustick Shepherdess to chase.

Zel.
How courteously the cares that do him press
He hath cut out, and measur'd by my dress.

Fel.
In rustick phrase his jealousie
Of her he vents, and pike at me.
Then I suspected not in vain
He stole the Picture; in the face
(When he espy'd it) reading plain
The features of this Rural Grace.
Undoubtedly she is his own—
To Claridoro.
You will not now, Sir, face me down,
73

But that, when I bad watch did keep
(Surpriz'd, e're by the foe, by sleep)
Thy treach'rous Envy came an stole
(Not more out of my hand than soul)
A Jewel which I then call'd mine,
Though much despise it since 'tis thine.
Yet must and will I have it back,
Not that I It esteem, or lack;
For, the whole gust I take therein,
Is now, to take't from thee agin.

Claro.
I think thou art not yet awake,
But I shall rowse thee—Do'st thou stare?

Zel.
A truer word yow never spake:
He sleeps with spread Eyen like a Hare.

Fel.
Traitor I'll be reveng'd—

Claro.
Rude Man!

Aside.
Zel.
Must I step in to part you than?
If I do rear it, on my word,
This hook shall be a two-hand-sword—
This she must say Majestically like a Queen, without Felisbravo's perceiving it.
Hold both, or I—

To Felisbravo.
Claro.
Though not thy Quarrel, mine I understand—

Zel.
Hold, Claridoro: It is I command—

To Claridoro.
Fel.
In fine, do'st thou deny it still?—

To Zelidaura.
Claro.
I obey thy unjust will.

Enter Claridiana and Floranteo, with Attendants.
Cla.
Zelidaura was't you said,
Like to a Shepherdess array'd?—
Turns and sees them quarrelling.
Swords drawn i'th'Garden? who are we?—

Flo.
Why Gentlemen, it cannot be,
74

Whilst yet th'Inchantment is not brought
T'an end, in Court a Duel fought
Unlicenc'd? when with licence too
Ye may the same thing shortly doe?

To Felisbravo.
To Claridoro.
Claro.
I come—

Fel.
Or do but stand me there—

Zel.
I'm rent with doubt.

Cla.
I dye with fear.

To both.
Flo.
Provide ye Arms, and fight it out—

Zel.
(O how fiery!

Cla.
O how stout!)

Claro.
I never provide any thing—
Within me I of all am stor'd—

Fel.
And I both a sharp stomach bring,
And a long knife to fall abord.

Fight again.
Zel.
How implacable!

Cla.
How cruel
They do a fresh in Battail join!

Zel.
May neither conquer in this Duel.

Cla.
Yes, one! and then the Conquest's mine.

Zel.
In either Valour doth abound.

Cla.
Discretion is in neither found.

To Claridoro.
Zel.
With thee how little I perswade?

Cla.
Our Guard!
Of Monarchs that last Reason will be heard.

She stamps, and sallying out, the Guard parts them.
Claro.
Madam, if now you stop our rage—

Fel.
The promis'd Combat—

Cla.
Take our gage—
Throws her Glove to Felisbravo.
Exeunt Claridoro, and Felisbravo at several doors, and Claridiana turns to Floranteo.
75

To Floranteo.
Would'st thou have me believe a Queen, whose name
In Tryumph sits over the wings of fame,
Lurks now disguis'd in Arabie?

Flo.
If her such manly virtue decks,
That she's the wonder of her Sex,
Were't not another wonder, she
(Greedy of Knowledge, as of Arms)
Should leave unseen these sights, and charms,
Thy Realm too being so neer her own?

Cla.
Withdraw I'll talk with her alone.

Exit Floranteo.
Ros.
Claridiana this way doth make
To speak with thee—

Zel.
Two short words take—
Your Count'nance hold, what e're you hear;
Stop your mouth, and ope your ear.

Cla.
Hola! sprightly Shepherdess.

Zel.
What commands thy Ladyness?

Cla.
Discover, by thy life, that face.

Zel.
Now by the facks) this of your Grace
Needs no comfort, nor no foyl,
For Skies and Meads it doth revile.
Or see (if thow mun needs have one
To set it off) yon cloudless Sun!
Then for thy Beauty (challenging
Of Heav'n the witness principal)
O're me a Gloria to sing,
Would prove a conquest very small.

Cla.
Art thou fowl?

Zel.
But envious not,
And so civil (markst Thow that?)
That to acknowledge I'm not squeemish
Her to be fair, who hath no blemish.
Nor, where it is, will hit a Blot.

76

Cla.
Whom loves an ugly woman best?

Zel.
An uglier woman—Was't well guest?

Cla.
Thou, a Shepherdess? Prompt Lass,
What is thy Bus'ness in this Place?

Zel.
Marry (no Treason 'tis I ween)
To zee the fair Inchawnted Queen,
And the brave dundring of Alarms:
For, from my very Nurses arms,
According to our Country word,
I lov'd the slish-slash of a Sword.

Cla.
Loe, half thy Errand! I am she:
And therefore, give consent that we
Our Eye too with the sight may bless
Of so divine a Shepherdesse.

Zel.
Highness, mock on:—Behold the Wight!

Takes off her silver Scarf.
Cla.
O Golden Morn of Silver Night!
What modest confidence! quick Air!
What Spirit! what excess of fair!
What queint, and more than courtly dress!
What exquisite neglecedness
Of those curling billowy Locks
Flowing round two Ivory Rocks!
What hands! that have to take their part
Not care it self (so far from Art)
Yet conquer all the World: wherein
A red Soul peeps through the white Skin!
Sol might envy her least grace.

Zel.
I knew, yow'd mock me to my face.
How easily are People got
To praise, that which they envy not?
I am not yet a Clown so much,
But, when I see yowr Beauty such,
I find, into my Crown yow beat
The part, I should to yow repeat.
77

Nothing beneath, or in the Sky,
Holds beautiful when yow are by:
Possessing not so much in common,
As Envy, with an ugly woman:
But, when the splendor of your Rays
Is more than all the World can praise,
Releasing much of what should come to you,
Yow pay to all the World above their due.

Cla.
A new delight her words provoke
By the rare grace with which they'r spoke

Zel.
I know, why Lady likes my wit;
And why my Face remains her debter.

Cla.
Why?

Zel.
I know—

Cla.
Then out with it.

Zel.
Vaith, because her own are better.
I'd have all fair ones discommend
My Face; I would upon my word.

Cla.
Why so, my understanding friend?

Zel.
O! then, they are with Envy sturd.

Cla.
But Envy croaks, and Snake-like stings—

Zel.
Believe me (Princess) no such matter:
No Sycophant so sweetly sings:
“For she that envies me, doth flatter.
“This back-hand praise goes homest still,
“'Tis strucken with so good a will.

Cla.
Envy is Adulation then?

Zel.
Thou hitst the Nail on the head right:
And I have heard from Book-learn'd Men,
“'Tis courtly Rudeness, and kind spight.

Cla.
Prethee, what wouldst thou counsel me to doe,
If me for Goodness Envy should pursue?

78

Zel.
Be ten times better than thou wert before,
That Envy may pursue thee ten times more.
That is the way which I affect,
No treason lurks, no malice there,
If I my self alone correct,
To be at full reveng'd on Her.

Cla.
In every point she doth perform—

Zel.
Envy, a piteous creeping worm!
“A brave, and happy Pride it is,
“To envy neither Worth, nor Bliss.

Cla.
Do'st thou happily know Love?

Zel.
Who is his Worship? Is it not
A forreign Prince, who, they said, dy'd above
A twelve-month sin of a great Cold he got?
Yes, by hear-say, I do know him,
Not that any spleen I owe him
For mischief he to me, or mine hath done:
Though I have heard a long-long-while agon
The Court he troubled, and the Countrey spoyl'd,
Till he both Court and Countrey was exil'd.

Cla.
Do'st thou not Love?

Zel.
A Question
To ask a fool, have I not youth?

Cla.
Whom lov'st thou then?

Zel.
My sell alone—
Nay, I have a curious tooth—
Love? what a base disgraceful word!
The sound is harsh, and shrill.
Lyes all the Valour in the Sword?
No conquest o're the Will?
79

Nor it a decent part hold I
(So much unto my self I owe)
To speak of that thing knowingly,
I do not, nor I will not know—
But do yow love?

Cla.
What is to Love?

Zel.
To deny't.

Cla.
A Rustick Lasse?
Hard question to one bred in Court't would prove—

Zel.
Not when she's in her Teens my word I'll pass.
If yow do love, with wond'rous Care
Hide that unfortunate disease:
For (feggs) declar'd Affections are
The Mother of Unthankfulness.
I knew a Gallant (from zuch keep)
Who, having zome how made his prize,
But a Dame's Picture, dropt asleep
With that Sun shining in his Eyes.

Cla.
Troth, let them sleep or let them watch,
All Men alike are cheap with me:
To whom (for favours none they catch)
They never can ungrateful be
From Love (a contemptible Foe!)
My retreat make I by broad-day;
And look on Suitors just as though
They were Mad Lovers in a Play:
No, Fear not me, in such a way.

Zel.
Kenn'st thou the Tow're where Confidence doth dwell?
Repentance lives hard by in a low Cell.

Cla.
Ill dissembling Shepherdess
(For now dissemble Shepherdesses too)
If thy Courtesie's not less
Than thy Beauty, thy Name shew.
80

By my Life.

Zel.
A powerful Spell!
This now would make a Gallants heart
Leap out, much more his name

Cla.
Well, well,
Tell me both what, and who, thou art.

Zel.
Fairest Claridiana, than,
I say I am no Shepherdess—

Cla.
A Woman asks not like a Man—
Tell me thy Name—

Zel.
I am—(suppress
My name I will—) a great Lord's Daughter,
Nor a less Soldier; taking after
My Father so much, that his Trade
I follow in the Mountain-shade:
For such do I take Hunting for;
Not counterfeit, but substitute of War.
Rev'rence I bear to thy Command—
But, Madam, do not ask me more:
The Keys are in a sullen hand,
And Porter Silence keeps the dore.

Cla.
I will not press thee 'gainst thy Mind:
But since thy Soul hath manly scope,
And that great MARS, and PHOEBUS (joyn'd)
Are Masters of thy Horoscope;
I will that thou, in habit fit,
Come streight to witness with thine Eyes,
And by Our Self in Judgment sit
Betwixt the Valiant, and the Wise:
And I shall then make my Election
More by thy vote, than my own Eye;
“For more (and chiefly in affection)
“Than Gamesters, see the Standers by.

81

Zel.
Madam, my part is to be rul'd.
To whether stand'st thou most inclin'd?

Cla.
To him that loves me most.

Zel.
I should
To him that bears the bravest mind.

Cla.
My liking upon thine depends—
(Thus I shall dive into her ends.)

Aside.
Zel.
I'll study the contentment of your Grace—
(But (with your leave) mine own in the first place.)

Aside.
Exeunt, and enter Rifaloro crippled, between two Gyants.
Rif.
Charitable, loving, sweet,
Good fac'd Gyants and discreet,
Spight of so many lying Books
That paint you Fools with ugly looks.
Orlando, and the Knight o'th'Sun,
Pay you this good work ye have done;
And peaceably dye in your beds,
With all your senses in your heads;
No Errant Knight, in hideous duel,
Be so unconscionably cruel,
Armour and all, with Blade in fist,
To cleave you down from poul to twist.
Squires (inconsiderable Wights)
That bind your selves Prentice to Knights,
Mark well this doleful Story all,
And take Example by my fall:
Leave Erranty to those staid Wags
Who charge upon their running Nags,
Who enter ne're the Lists, though sore
Threat'ned above a Month before.
To those too, who do there appear,
Having nothing to do there:
82

Their Gennets Bells, and their own Gulls:
The Peoples laughter, and the Bulls;
Leave it—

Gy. 1.
Leave satyrizing thou.

Rif.
If I am not abusive, How
Shall I in reputation git,
And be canoniz'd for a Wit?
A Drole, and not satyrical?
I never knew but one in all
My life, and 'twas a precious Fool,
The never-enough-prais'd O Tool!

Gy. 1.
Sas! Coward, bustle up thy self.

Gy. 2.
Ah! Brother, do not harm the Elf.

Rif.
O Gyant of my Guard! into
Thy hands I recommend me do.

Gy. 2.
Then Persian entertain no fear.

Rif.
I do not, but it will be here.

Gy. 2.
Shall I heal thee in a trice
By Magick?

Rif.
Hast thou that Device!

Gy. 2.
See! thou art whole.

Rif.
Hah! I am well:
A Miracle! A Miracle!
St. Sacrapant! I run, leap, skip
And fly, like Beggar cur'd with Whip.
Let not the Doctors know of this,
For they will take it much amiss
If any's cur'd without their aid;
Yet where's the Cure that they have made?
The Church hath Doctors too, and they
Complain of wrong too in their way:
That Emp'ricks Doctors are become,
And Doctors Patients now—but Mum.

Enter the General.
Gen.
Horrid confusions do I tread:
And Mazes upon Mazes thred
In this new Court, where Felisbrave
Transported with his Conquests brave,
83

In the pursuit thereof suspends
The progress to his amorous Ends.

Gy. 1.
Rifaloro, wilt thou eat
(For I would give thee some choice meat)
A salv'ry Leg, or little Wing
Of a Camel which we bring?

Rif.
I would not rob your Grandiships:
We say, Like Lettuce to like Lips.
This, if you please (having been sick)
A Chine of Beef, but not too thick.

Gen.
Of Rifaloro somewhere near
The whining Ecchoes strike my Ear.

Gy. 1.
Say, shall we post thee through the Air in nimble
Egg-shell, to Persia, or in vagrant thimble.

They go about to lay hold on him, and he crys out.
Rif.
No, no, a sober Mule: the Spanish pace
On foot, or mounted, not the Wild-goose Chase.

Gen.
'Tis he, and those same Gyants dire
About to murther the poor Squire:
Hold, Cowards! what is this ye do?

Gy. 1.
Slave, who are we, and what are you?

Rif.
Hold, tardy succ'rer of distress!
These are Gyants of the Peace.

Gy. 2.
Consider, valiant Knight—

Gy. 1.
With those
That raunt, my Courtesie is Blows.
Loose me that I may kill him.

Gen.
Come,
Presumption; but be sure strike home:
Those Rebel-Gyants I would scorn to fear,
Whose Mountains, to scale Heav'n their Ladders were.

Rif.
Gen'ral, y'undo me with your wroth,
These Worthies are my friends in troth,
84

I tell you true, done more for me they have,
Than my good Grandam who is in her Grave,
I owe (and shall acknowledge whilst I breath)
A thousand favours to their Worships: Sheath
Thy Blade, and be advis'd to be more plyant:
The Knight's not always sure to kill the Gyant.

Gy. 2.
This more: Since the dissolving of the Charms,
Know, that we Gyants must now lay down Arms.

Rif.
Well fare thy heart, O Gyant well inclin'd,
Holy and sage, and of a peaceful Mind!
He tells you true, the Books are clear in't all;
To wit, Parismus, Amadis de Gaul,
And Cavalier del Phebo—Then 'tis rare,
To unpick quarrels, when Laws studied are.

Enter a Gentleman called Zelindo.
Gent.
Prince Floranteo willeth you
From Claridiane to shew
Unto the Noble Strangers, all
This Inchanted Court.

Gy. 1.
We shall.
Mark; and thereof ye shall be show'd
Each Rarity, and every Mode.

Rif.
Are there Complaints? Are there Ambitions?
Lyes are there? Are there ill Conditions?
Are there Envyings? Are there Words
Sweeter than the Tunes of Birds
Before one's face, behind the door
Back-racket-strokes of a left-handed Moor?

Gent.
How e're inchanted, Court 'tis still,
Here they do lay their sick and ill,
Of vast extent their Spittle is:
The Quarter of the Grumblers, This.

85

Rif.
Bad men they are; yet have they had much wrong;
Reaping Rewards, which to the Good belong.

Gy. 1.
There are the enviouus.

Rif.
Good Lads those,
They kill themselves: Give me such Foes.

Gy. 2.
There, those, good Fortune puffs.

Rif.
To morrow
I'll talk with them. “Such never can bear sorrow.

Gy. 1.
There, those, who judge by the successes still.

Rif.
May all their Actions be condemn'd by Ill.

Gy. 1.
Here, those, that trust in Princess Favour.

Rif.
Presumption! bind them to their behaviour.

Gy. 2.
A swarm of Duenias, there.

Rif.
With things
I will not meddle that have stings.
Duenias, Mondongas, Dwarfs and Pages,
I leave to bold Plebeian Stages.
In Court is sacred ev'ry Lawn,
Each setting Beauty, or which now doth dawn,
I there adore: Each Tyar a Diadem,
A weilded Scepter each shak'd Fan doth seem.
I call each Quoif, nay ev'ry Bib, a Cloth
Of State, and all for fear I'll take my Oath.

Gent.
Of Court Diseases talk no more, for there
Of others weal we all are sick I fear.

Gen.
What, not one honest Man in Court then?

Gent.
Yes,
A Thousand in the Spanish Court there is:
Whom you shall see in Magick Perspective,
Applaud the Golden Age they now retrive.

Gy. 1.
What is that old short Man we spy?

Rif.
I take't he writes a Comedy
For the Meninas.

Gy. 1.
Who are they?

Rif.
A flight of Birds the first of May.
86

Whose chirping Bills (which true Division run)
Will flout, and out of Countenance dash the Sun:
And I can tell a Secret of them too:
But if thou tell't again, By all that's true—

Gy. 1.
(I tell?)

Rif.
They would have Husbands, and exact
From him a Farse, themselves intend to act
On that high day which to the World did give
Their Royal Master on whose Beams they live.
And four hundred Columns terse,
And a conceipt in every verse,
And a disdain to each eight feet,
And a Sonnet in each sheet,
And to every part, they ask:
To comply with which huge task,
The foresaid Poet by main strength
Wire-draws his Play to such a length,
That, for a life 'twould serve, of one
That does no good under the Sun,
Or after whom there's an Advowson,
Or before whom there are a Thousan,
Or of a Suit in Chancery,
Or of a Court Expectancie,
Which is th'Eternal of Eternitie.

Gent.
Four hundred howers last let it,
And he who so is wearied wo't,
The name of tedious shall git
Unto himself, with Clown to boot.
For a Festival, set forth
To celebrate Phileno's years,
By Beliza's Royal worth,
Should stop the motion of the Sphears.
And merits to last evermore,
As do the years it doth adore.
87

Come, see Wonders that surpass,
In this inchanted Looking-glass!

Relates, as seen in the inchanted Glass, the Festival which the Queen of Spain made at Aran Juez for the Birth-day of the King.
Gen.
Here view I (with what sweetness blest!)
Beauteous Cytherias Nest:
And a Babylon of Flow'rs
'Mongst so many pleasant Bow'rs.
What an illustrious Pallace fair!
Such a Play-fellow the Air
Hath not elsewhere: None so nigh
And splendid-neighbour hath the Sky.
If DRAGONS kept the Golden-Fleece,
And Apples of th'Hesperides,
In the Fable: In this Truth
(Fairer than the Morning's youth)
HARAMA (a glib Chrystal Snake)
A Girdle to her Fields doth make;
TAGUS (a silver Gyant) falls
At the feet of her proud Walls.
—This Seat
To whom belongs it?

Zelind.
To the Great
Shepherd Phileno, who appears
Fuller of fame, and Worlds, than years.
Whose foot, whose hand
(Both) temp'rate in Command)
The one an easie yoak doth sit,
The other is a prudent Bit.

Gen.
—Who
Leads to this Bow'r of Bliss?

Zelind.
That new
Phoenix of Spain, swathed in fire,
Son of himself, and his Great Sire.
Fair seav'nteen Springs hath he compleat,
Whose understanding is so great,
That in his pupillage appears
Th'expecience of an hundred years.
88

And in these fields is celebrated
That happy day unto the Earth
When he receiv'd his Royal Birth,
Whence Good Mens hopes, and Bad Mens fears, are dated.
Him his two Gallant Brothers follow,
Luminaries bright of Spain,
Sparks that fly out of his Flame,
For they are Stars, if he APOLLO.
On whom both Purples we shall view,
Of Tiber, and of Danow too;
The one his Crosier glorifie;
The other raise his Scepter high.
The Festival you see doth come
From his Illustrious Spouse; in whom
(Of two Worlds sitting at the Helms)
Earth more perfections sees, than Realms.
For but of one Ray of her Hair
(Since seldom Kings have Kindred waigh'd)
On the meer score that she is fair,
A Clasp for two Crowns might be made.
Not Lilly of France, but Rose of brown
Casteel, that to our Sol shall bring
A Spanish Violet to heir his Crown;
'Sted of a Flemish Jesamin.
Another equally divine
Sheperdesse, that, stead of those
Flocks of Swans, which TAGUS shows,
Shall reign the EAGLES of the RHINE;
89

Fair Sister of the Master-Swain
(Whose parts betwixt respect and fear
The proudest merits do constrain
To strike their sayls) consorts with her.
And of an hundred Nymphs beside
(The love and envy of the Sun)
Accomplishments so multipli'd,
So without earthly Paragon,
That not her Train, and less her Eye
Fill'd up to the brim with Glory,
Either her Royaltie belye,
Or leave imperfect Beauties story.
Majesty, and sumptuous Cloaths,
And the Art to put them on,
And variety of those
All without comparison.
The Valleys sing, the Mountains skip,
The Elms and Poplars dance and trip,
APRIL himself a part rehearses,
And pricks his flow'rs in all the verses.
NIQUEA's GLORY (whose strong Spells
Even conjure up Impossibles,
And Miracles of Wit do muster)
Is the Theater's first lustre.
The second is the golden Fleece,
Which having first begun in Greece,
The way to Troy did after find,
And ends in Spain with Ilium's fire refin'd.
90

And now the Play without doors is
A dull Man's (who his homely Quill
T'excuse in part) can tell you this;
Without command he writes not ill.
Sound a Trumpet.
A world of People flock together
To be spectators of the sight:
And from this Instrument I gather
Th'approach of one, and t'other Knight
They sound another Trumpet near.
To the crown'd Lists.—Let's go, to gain
A sight of them: And live this Morn,
And rising Sun, and Stars of Spain,
Till crippled Time be made their scorn.

Exeunt.
Cornets.
Sound Drums and much Harmony; and Enter at one dore, with a splendid Train, and very brave in Apparel, Prince Claridoro; and if they will they may be arm'd, or leave that till the last Act; and at another dore King Felisbravo, with a splendid Train likewise, &c. and the General, with many others by his side; and let a Curtain be drawn close, Cornets sounding, and on a high conspicuous Throne behind it, let Claridiana and Zelidaura at her right hand, appear, as gloriously clad as may be, and in the fashion they like best; and many Ladies seated upon the Strada, and Floranteo standing at the bottom of the foot pace upon which the Throne is, and the Gyants like two supporters at the Ends thereof; and enter Rifaloro with his Master, and with Claridoro a Servant of his, receiving instructions for something from his Master.
Claro.
Be sure this part now be well plaid,
Ent'ring as if thou wert afraid.

Serv.
Put no, if, to't, I shall be so.

Claro.
(By this Invention I shall know
If Zelidaura's stay here, be
Love, or Curiositie.)

Aside.
91

Serv.
I go.

Claro.
This is the War alone
Exit Servant.
In which I fear to be o'rethrown.

Now let the Curtain be drawn back, and each make a profound Reverence to the Queens, and the Queens rise from their seats, as likewise the Ladies, and then the Knights make a Reverence each to other.
Company.
With what a careless Bravery They
One another do survey!

Gen.
And how compos'd, like honourable Foes,
They interchange Salutings before Blows!

Cla.
Both are gallant.

Zel.
Gallant, both:
Yet I with each am in such wroth,
That I to neither side incline,
Though I am one's, and t'other's mine.

Claro.
Hah! Zelidaura on the Throne?
She doubtless hath her self made known
To Claridiana.

Fel.
I
Am made up of perplexity!
The Picture went at first for Zelidaura,
TARTARIA's Liege! then represented Laura!
A Shepherdess! and now again one seen
In Soveraign posture by a Crowned Queen!
Once more sleep I bolt upright:
When shall I wake, for I do move
Like one that's waking, and my sight
Equivocates, but not my Love?
Who will this glorious Woman prove?

Flo.
Knights, the Queen stays; and now the last
Dice of Fortune both must cast.
92

Dispute, if that untye it not,
Your Swords must cut the Gordian-knot.

Claridoro takes off his Hat, covers again, and begins.
Claro.
Madam: (Since you remitted have to words,
That which at first were better try'd with swords)
I argue thus; By Books Wars Art is taught,
And without WISDOM no great thing was wrought.
Thus the great Son of Thetis (dire annoy
And ten years Plague of miserable Troy)
Had his Head arm'd with Prudence more than Steel,
Or than his Mother left unarm'd his heel
By the learn'd Centaur: Thus King PHILIPS Heir
(Who envy'd t'others TRUMPET more than SPEAR)
Instructed was, in Aristotles Cell,
To understand the World, and then to quell:
Thus March'd high CÆSAR through the heart of FRANCE,
A Pen in one, in t'other hand a Lance,
And, in the Pride of that Success, did show
To Brittons bold an armed CICERO.
With the same weapon (to abridge disputes)
Men conquer Men, with which Men conquer Brutes.
Of Beasts, more fierce, more strong, more arm'd are many
Than Men; and Barbarous Men as stout as any,
More num'rous far. But WISDOM tames the Beast,
And Wisest Nations master'd still the rest,
Until the Brutish World its own strength knew,
And with their Maxims fell their Empires too.
'Tis not the brawny vigour of an Arm,
But inward courage (which the heart doth warm)
Makes Fortitude: A Life-despising Eye,
And (not to conquer, but) to dare to dye.
Strength makes it not. If I like strength did want,
And met like dangers, I'm more valiant;
93

Because my Soul was of a larger growth,
And, when her Second fail'd her, fought for both.
He that out-lives his Honour is a Fool:
To Cure a Coward send him then to School.
But many Valiant have out-liv'd their Fame,
For lack of Wit to play an after-game.
The Wise weighs all things, who sometimes doth know
The Souldiers Praise is to decline a Foe;
And (slighting Rumors) his safe glory sums
In this, that, “He fights best who overcomes.
“Who rashly fights (though he the World amaze)
“A valiant Fool will be his best of Praise.
When a great Chief his Squadrons up hath led,
With others hands he fights, but his own head;
Therefore (and fitly) for such valiant wile,
His head hath Bays, his Souldiers hands the Spoyl:
And when the Sword decides a bloody Fray,
Their Hands that one, his Head fights ev'ry day.
“Thus only Prowess unto KINGS pertains,
“Who ought to wear their Valour in their Brains.
As, though ten thousand hands a Palace frame,
Yet he, whose Head contriv'd it, bears the Name:
Just so a Prince, who acts with others hands,
(His own Head steering) Earth and Sea Commands.
Upon a Couch the Continent he awes,
And from a COUNCIL gives the OCEAN Laws.
To hack wild Beasts is not a Soveraign's part:
Kings fight not with their Hands but with their Art.
I end: In Iron WAR, in PEACE's Down,
Their MAXIMS Conquer, and their COUNCILS Crown.

A Flourish.
With the noise whereof Felisbravo rowses as out of a deep Muse.
Fel.
(Little of all he said heard I,
Such a diversion have I had
Of Beauty, like a Rustick clad
Sometimes, sometimes with Majesty!)
Aside.
94

The SWORD—
Takes off his Hat, makes a Reverence, then, covering again, proceeds, speaking to the Throne.
—Made Empires; VALOUR guards rich Wisdom's Coffers,
As Fear betrays the succours which it offers:
He then whom Danger mazes, may for Brain
Go to the Camp, he went to School in vain.
When a great Leader, a great Rest doth play,
Prudence gives aim, but Valour wins the day:
And, though he's not oblig'd a Breach to enter
The first, his Men must know that he dares venter.
If Valour he ne're shew'd, what's truly Wise
Will be in him reputed Cowardize.
Coward is a Disease bred in the Liver,
Which qualifi'd may be, but cured never.
Wise Men (and therefore they are Wise) do know
How to seem valiant, if they are not so.
Who venters farther than is fit, a Sot,
A Mad-man may be call'd, but Coward, not.
And, who his Valours Proof doth long forbear,
Would be thought wise, but will be thought to fear.
To dye is very well; but yet to kill,
Is more; the Victor is the Victor still.
A Souldier boasted to a King his gashes:
But give me him (quoth he) that gave such slashes.
A valiant Prince, he is his Empire's Wall:
Safe without Armies, Terrible to all.
Of Realms acquested, These the SWORD did Win,
We say, though Policy did most therein.
Now, to whose Name the Fecit put you see,
The Master-Builder, past all doubt, is he.
Council may moderate a Prince that's rash:
But who shall fortifie a Spirit lash?
95

High Mettles, like strong Wines, may water bear:
But Council's vain, where there's the Traitor FEAR.
No King should so presume on Wit, to think
To govern Lands with Pens, and Seas with Ink:
Better than at a COUNCIL-TABLE, He
In TENTS the Land, in CABBINS rules the Sea.
Well may a Prince be learned, Perfect none
Who wants that best supporter of a Throne.
But (for we skirmsh'd have too long with words)
Prepare to feel that Scepters live in SWORDS.

Trumpets.
They Draw: The Queens rise in their Seats, sound a Charge, the Gyants put themselves between the Knights: A Cloud descends, and in it the God of Love with a Nymph, who in a Bason brings many fresh Flowers, and amongst those some withered.
Cup.
How's this! Suspend your Furies.

Zel.
Heaven
With wonder new lets down the Skies,
And crowns the Earth with Prodigies.

Cla.
The Valianter did much out-go,

Zel.
That is because you wish'd it so:
But the Dispute was ballanc'd even.

Cornets.
Cup.
Claridiana fair and bright,
I am LOVE who come to light
Thee out of this dark Wood th'art in,
And if thou wouldst have him to win
Who loves thee best, I'll let thee see
Which infallibly is He.
But (will or nill) the soveraign
Decree of Heav'n doth thus ordain,
That he by whom th'art most ador'd,
Shall be thy Husband, and thy Lord.

96

Aside.
Cla.
Since he that was the Valianter
Loves me, I'm sure, what need I fear
The sentence, but may well submit
My Soul and Will to Heaven and It?
Thus cut I with my People's grain,
Nor can the losing Knight complain.
To Cupid.
Great LOVE, my Glory 'tis that thou
To clear my doubts to Earth wouldst bow:
With thee I trust them.

Cup.
Then, that Man
Who these wither'd Flowers can
(Put into my hand) recover
To pristine state, is thy best Lover.

Zel.
Who but that stranger Knight there can it be,
That came to fight for her, and injure me?

Claro.
In me what venture is't, if I
Do for ZELID AURA dye?

Fel.
If ZELID AURA I adore,
I may venter upon that score.

Cup.
Noble Claridore, advance.

Let him take a dry Flower, and put it in the hand of Cupid, and let it dissolve to ashes.
Claro.
In Name of the Arabian Queen
Let this wither'd Flower grow green.

Cup.
'Tis faln to ashes.

Cla.
What good chance!

Zel.
What ill luck!

Cla.
The Victory
Stays, with my wishes wings to fly.

Zel.
O maist thou ne're victorious prove!

Cup.
Glorious Inconnu, move.

97

Fel.
I deliver thee this same
In Claridiana's name.

This Flower too falls to dust.
Cup.
Dust it is, and transitory.

Cla.
This is Treason.

Zel.
This is Glory.

Rif.
Into my Countrey I will carry
A Receipt so necessary,
To prove all Men what ever Lyars,
Who blind poor credulous Women with false Fires.

Cup.
Brave Floranteo, draw thou near.

Cla.
Avaunt!

Cup.
If he in worth and birth is peer
Unto the proudest of them all, in vain,
Claridiana, dost thou him distain.
Draw near—

Flo.
In name of fair, but merciless
Claridiana (who contemns
Much Love, and little Happiness)
Receive this Flow'r.

Cup.
See how it gems,
Smiles, and recovers! Noble Youth,
Loe, Love in person doth reward thy truth!

Offers to join them; and Claridiana flyes back.
Cla.
I'll lose my life first.

Cup.
Thou hast said
Thou't obey Heaven; and Heav'n will be obey'd.

All.
Live Floranteo.

Cla.
Live (say I)
Claridiana, and All dye.

Cup.
To Floranteo 'longs Arabia's Throne:
Give him the joy, and homage every one.

Cla.
Is Heav'n become a cousener too?
What ill Example!—Trait'rous Crew!—

98

Citizens.
Of Floranteo Wife thou art,
And he our King.

Fel.
Dare none to start
From his Allegiance.

Claro.
Cowards stay,
In her defence do I this Sword display.

Enter the Servant of Claridoro, as in a great fright.
Serv.
Claridoro without peer,
Mixest thou in Quarrels here,
When in Tartary they are
All in confusion, all in War?
For Zelidaura being self exil'd
In uncouth Mountains, and in Forrests wild,
Nor chusing any Husband out,
Her Subjects to uncrown her go about.
Thou then (since of her Blood thou art)
Draw thy Sword to take her part,
And thy faith, and prowess high
In that just Cause alone employ:
If thou linger—

Claro.
'Tis enough.

Fel.
Heav'ns! I shall be sure accurst
If my Sword aid her not the first,
For an eternal Love, and tough
Revenge, for Cause declared now,
Me furiously into that War doth throw.

Exit in a Rage.
To Rifaloro.
Gen.
Let's follow Felisbrave.

Rif.
You know I trundle
Under you Gen'ral—By my Persian faith
This sweet inchanted Creature is a Bundle,
And Nosegay, of Aurora's.

Claro.
There's my path
To serve you Madam: So Love wills, that I
Who dye his Martyr, should your Souldier dye.

99

Cla.
What an unlook'd for Change!

Zel.
The Rout
(Heav'ns) in my absence, without doubt,
Is blown up into Tumults—Queen and Laws
Of Hospitality, perdon the Cause.
Now no more curious Fooleries, in old
And valiant Earnest let the World behold
Arm'd Zelidaura, and Tartaria feel
The dire effects of her provoked Steel.

Exeunt Zelidaura and Roselinda.
All.
For Floranteo Victory!

Flo.
Villains, in your Throats ye lye.

Citiz.
To Floranteo, Madam, yield your Hand,
Or all Arabia falls from your Command.

Cla.
Coward and Raskal-Heard, that shall be try'd.
This is my Hand—Who? who, will give the Bride?
Approach that dare—See, Traitors (whom my breath
Draws.
Should drive like chaff) It holds the Key of Death!

And Floranteo draws in defence of her.
Flo.
Retire: His Sword for whom ye mutiny
Defends Claridiana.

Citiz.
Enemy
To thine own Heart! Thy self, and all the Gods
Thou dost oppose, provoking their just Rods.

Flo.
Insolent Varlets—

All.
Kill him.

Flo.
I had rather
Serve her, than have her.

Cla.
O, my deep-read Father,
Permit'st thou this? Now save me by thy Art:
Now is the moment.

Flo.
Madam, Take good Heart.
He drives them out, and returns to Claridiana.
The Cloud's dispers'd; y'are safer in my Guard
Then if the Stars all own'd you for their ward.

Trumpets.
Exeunt.
The End of the second Act.
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