 | The Strange Discovery |  |
Actus primi
Scena prima.
Enter Caricles, sometimes Apollos Priest at Delphos in the habit of a Pilgrim.Caric.
What course shall aged Carcles now take
After his weary travells? shall I here
Resolve to lay my bones, and Egypt make
The finall period of my pilgrimage?
No, I must bid Catadupice adieu
So famous for these sluces of faire Nile,
And since the surfeit which I tooke of sorrow
For my deare daughters sad untimely death,
Is well digested in this breast of mine,
And change of aire hath wrought a change of mind;
I am resolv'd to stately Greece to wend
And breath my last breath where I breath'd my first,
'Tis so determin'd;—
Enter Nebulo his man.
Honest Nebulo,
My man draw neare, I'm in a humour now
To change some words with thee;—so oftentimes—
aside.
Wee see wise men for recreations sake,
aside
What course doth thy fond braine advise me to?
Neb.
To no other but to a home course Sir, I must tell you
plainly, I like not these extravagant ones you take of travelling
the world thus; I'm sure I have paid deare for those idle humours
of yours, witnesse my body, brought to a meere Anatomie
by travell and fasting; me thinkes, a wise man, as you are,
should not have such wandring thoughts in his mind: well
Master, resolve to leave this place, and returne to Delphos our
native habitation, or I shall soone resolve to leave you, and goe
there without you. O the smoake of mine owne poore chimney
at home, and the beloved smoke of my wife, would both
smell to my nose now so comfortable, as a perfume made of
Arabia spices; adiew, I can stay no longer from pretty Nebulona
without the lash of her just displeasure; I come my chickin,
I come, be ready to receive me, I know thou languishest all this
while for want of my company.
Caric.
Nay prethee stay a little longer and heare me; wilt
thou leave me now at last, and frustrate the good opinion I have
alwaies had of thy simple plainnesse and constant service? have
patience awhile, and I will accompany thee in thy journey; as
for thy wife Nebulona (if that trouble thee) I shall rectifie her
in the truth of al thy actions. Who knockes there? goe see,
and bring me word before you grant entrance Nebulo.
Who is it now?
Nebul.
A very sweet fac'd Gentleman, so sooty as the Divell
himselfe, I believe some Embassadour sent from Pluto and
the fiends.
Caric.
What e'r he be admit him.
Enter Sisimethres, Legate of Æthiopia.
Sisimet.
God save you reverend Father.
Caric.
Welcome Sir,
Although I have not seene your face before
That I can well remember.
Sisimet.
May be so.
But I have seene you often in this towne
Walking the streets, and read the characters
Your aged face, wherein I thinke my judgement
Nothing deceives me; and I doe suppose
You are an aliene here as well as I,
No naturall Egyptian.
Caric.
I confesse
I am a stranger borne, and should be glad
To know your name, your countrey and your businesse.
Sisimet.
I shall obey you, for my countrey, first
'Tis Æthiopia underneath the line,
My name Sisimethres imployed now
As Legate from my soveraigne King Hydaspes,
Unto the Deputy here, to forbid him
To meddle with the mines, out of whose bowells
The Smaragds digged were, which appertaine
To none but to the crowne of Æthiopia:
Now Sir you know me, be not scrupulous
To let me understand so much of you,
Something doth prompt me strangely, that you have
Some neer relation to the gods, or else
My Genius doth deceive me.
Caric.
Understand then,
You doe not erre in your imagination,
I am a Grecian borne, and sometimes Priest
Unto Apollo in that sacred City
Of Delphos, which Parnassus lofty tops,
As with a wall, encompasseth about,
And sweet Castalius pleasant springs refresh,
There was I borne and bred, and exercis'd
The office I was call'd to by the gods.
Sisimet.
Most venerable Priest, and holy Father,
Let me beseech you tell me what mischance
Drove you from thence to these remoter parts?
Caric.
The great misfortune that I had at home.
Sisim.
I wonder at it, pray relate the manner.
Caric.
When you have heard my story to the end,
Your wonder will forsake you.
Sisimet.
Then resolve me.
Upon your better knowledge and acquaintance
I shall, till when excuse me.
Sisim.
I'll not presse you
Beyond good manners; Sir, I saw you buy
Some herbs and roots that grow in India
And Æthiopia for your use last day;
If so you please, I can produce you such
As ne'r were better.
Caric.
Pray Sir let me see them,
Sysimethres take from under his arme a little bagge, and shewes Caricles precious stones in stead of roots.
You must for these, good Sir, seeke other chapmen,
The Margarits, the Smaragds, Hiacinths,
Are for a Princes use, and not for mine:
Each one alone is ransome for a King,
My whole estate cannot buy one of them.
Sysim.
But though you cannot buy them, you can take them
(I trow) if freely given you, can you not?
Caric.
'Tis true, I can receive them, but I marvell
Why you should mocke me thus?
Sysim.
I mocke you not
By all the Gods, but meane uprightly in't,
I will not onely give you these, but if
You will be pleas'd to take it at my hands
Bestow a richer gift, to which compar'd,
These are but drosse and rubbish.
Caric.
Ha ha ha.
Sysim.
Why laugh you Sir?
Caric.
Is't not a matter which
Deserveth laughter, when you promise things
Of such a prise, and yet assure me more;
You cannot meane uprightly.
Sysim.
Ttrust me, but sweare
That you will use this gift as I shall teach you,
And I'll performe my promise of the other.
Nebul.
Accept it Sir, if you be wise; 'tis not good, nor religious
to refuse any mans courtesie.
You tempt me shrewdly Sir.
Sysim.
Let me prevaile,
And bind me still your servant.
Caric.
You have won me
To what you would.
Sysim.
Then take an oath, and sweare
To follow my directions, so confirme it.
Caric.
By great Apollo, then whose Minister
I was at Delphos, I shall not disgresse
From what you shall instruct me touching this.
Sysim.
It is sufficient, and I build upon
Your faith, your trust and your religion;
Here fellow, take this bag, and keepe it for
Your honoured Master.
Nebul.
But more honoured bag,
Would I might keepe thee for my selfe, I then
Should make an Idoll of thee—
aside.
Caric.
What's your pleasure,
That I should doe in lieu of this reward?
Sysim.
I cannot now acquaint you, for some reasons
Best knowne unto my selfe, give me your hand
To meet me without faile to morow morning
At Isis Temple, thence I shall conduct you
Unto my lodging, and in secret tell
The summe of my request.
Carie.
I shall not faile you.
Sysim.
Adieu, untill we meet—
Exit Sysimethres.
Caric.
Apollo keepe thee
In his safe custodie. I marvell much
Whence this unlook'd for kindnesse should proceed,
I'll see the issue on't, what e'r betide me,
It may be that the gods have pre-ordain'd
I shall once more be happy, and in lieu
Of all my passed sorrowes, reape the fruit
Of long expected comfort, sure my mind
Is much illuminated with the thought
Of some good fortune, and refresh'd as if
The spirit of Pitho were infus'd into me
My Genius, for oftentimes the gods by signes
Will have that mortalls understand their mindes.
Exit.
Scena secunda.
Enter Demeneta, and young Cnemon her sonne in Law.Demen.
My pretty boy, how dost thou? where hast thou
beene so long absent from my imbraces; come
hither, let mee solace my selfe a little with thee, let mee kisse
thee my sweet heart, my heire, my owne life.
Cnem:
Had ever any one a kinder stepmother—
aside.
Mother, you make too much of mee, I am not able to deserve
your love in so high a straine, my duty cannot countervaile it.
Demen.
How prettily hee speakes, I cannot chuse but kisse
thee for it.
Cnem.
What a close and hot kisse was that? I like not this
behaviour, would I were delivered hence, please you give mee
leave to goe about my exercises?
Dem.
What exercises?
Cnem.
My bookes and studies at the Schoole, I shall be shent
else by my Tutor.
Dem.
Come, thou shalt not leave me.
Cnem.
Will you have me prove a truant then?
Dem.
No, but a student in a better art; hast thou ever read
Ovid de arte amandi, or Ovids amorous Epistles?
Cnem.
Never.
Dem.
O, I would have thee study that booke above all
other, there are very good rules, and worth the observation
truly, if thou errest in any thing therein written, I will be thy
Mistresse to instruct thee, follow my rudiments good sonne.
Cnem.
But I have heard 'tis a ribaldrous booke, and corrupteth
youth to all wantonnesse.
Dem.
That is but a fantasie, a mere untruth; it was made
by the Poet for youthfull recreation and pastime, none but
Stoicall old men will invey against them, who envie that in
others which they cannot enjoy in themselves.
I understand not your Philosophie.
Dem.
Would thou didst, and wert well entred in my books
and science; but where is thy father and my husband Aristippus?
O, my deare husband, where have you lingred so long; you
are too blame indeed to leave me so solitary, I must chide you
for it, truly, had you tarried never so little longer, I should
have died for sorrow.
Arist.
My sweet wife Demeneta. I have a jewell of thee, thy
extreme love to me is confirmed in thy affection to my sonne
Cnemon, vertuous woman.
Demen.
I love him I must confesse, as well as if he were mine
owne sonne, or better.
Arist.
I know thou dost my love; never was a man happier
in his choice, I thinke.
Demen.
Cnemon, sit on my lap pretty boy.
Cnem.
No, I know my duty better.
Demen.
I will have it so; the very picture of his father.
Cnem.
Pray mother excuse me, this is no fit place for me.
Demen.
There is not a prettier or wittier boy in Athens,
but 'tis no wonder, that old men beget alwaies the finest children,
'tis most commonly seene.
Arist.
I know your vertue, and therefore will dispute with
you a little upon this subject, and aske you this question: how
could you, a young woman, affect me an old man?
Demen.
How could I not Sir; your wisdome, stayednesse
and understanding were such motives to my affection, as I
would not change my old man for the youthfull'st cavalere of
all Greece; I hope for all your age, to have a hopefull off-spring
from you, such another as Cnemon, you can doe it i'faith, old
Aristippus.
Arist.
My girle, how thou dost revive my decayed spirits
to heare thee talke thus! I will straine hard for this, but I will
answer thy expectation.
Demen.
Thankes sweet husband, let me hang upon your
necke, pretty gravity, how well it becomes him, who could
chuse but love such a man intirely; pox upon smooth faces,
when a gentlewoman would sleep and take her rest; they are alwaies
disturbing of her, when by a man of some yeeres and experience
we may lie as quiet as we will; would all women
were of my opinion, we should cut the combes then of these
lustie gamesters.
Arist.
Indeed young men are very inconstant in their
love, and changing from one unto another, whereas an old
man perseveres to the end in his devotions.
Dem.
True, true, my love, your words are oracles,
Were I now as I seeme, how should I wrong
Youth, beautie, nature, and rebell against them—
aside.
Arist.
My dearest love, though loth, I am inforc'd
To leave you for some houres, the state of Athens
Sent for me, to repaire unto the Senate
At ten a clocke about affaires of weight,
'Tis now about the time; farewell my sweetest.
Dem.
You shall not goe, come, come, you doe not love me,
Else could you not be so unkind my deare,
To kill your loving wife with your departure.
I doubt I shall not live till your returne.
Arist.
Come prethee, leave this off, and be assur'd
I will not stay two houres.
Dem.
On that assurance
I doe dismisse you, but if you exceed
The time, you're like to find me turn'd a coarse;
sticke to your promise.
Arist.
I'll not faile you sweet.—
Exit Aristippus.
Dem.
Where goe you Cnemon?
Cnem.
No where, but to waite
Upon my Father to the Senate-house,
And instantly returne.
Dem.
See that you doe,
And you shall not repent it,
Exit Cnemon.
I must gaine him
Unto my will by faire and gentle meanes,
By promises and gifts, by sweet allurements
And strong inticing words, by pleasing him
(I make no doubt) and bring me to his bed.
I burne for love of him and must be quench'd,
Old Aristippus I have fool'd and made
Believe I love him, but it is not so.
I have brought him to my owne lure so thee
He stoops unto my beauty; now if I
Can but enjoy my Cnemon, I am then
Mistris of my designe, and a chiefe Artist
In this sweet trade; let fooles burne in their fire
Of modest love, i'le on to my desire.
Exit.
Scena tertia.
Enter Caricles, Sysimethres and Nebulo.Sysim.
Prethee honest friend
Shall I intreat thee to go forth and bid
The pretty girle without in the next roome
To come here to me.
Nebul.
Yes sir that I shall,
I love to be imploy'd a messenger
To pretty mayds, is she so beautifull?
Sysim.
O wondrous faire and beautifull.
Nebul.
I'le then
Usher her safely in, and kisse her too.
Exit Nebulo, enters againe with Cariclea.
Sysim.
See here the second gift I meane to give you;
More pretious then the first, you told me sir
You had a daughter once, but rap'd by death.
Here is another for you, use her well.
Caric.
I am amaz'd to see so rare a beauty,
Such an Angel-like creature.
Sysim.
Cease your wonder;
The mother of this beautious girle which here
Standeth before us for a certaine cause
Which you shall learne hereafter, laid her forth
Clad in such weeds as commonly is us'd
For such a purpose, so committing her
Finding her tooke her up, for tis not lawfull
That we neglect a soule when once it hath
Entred a humane body, (being a precept
Amongst the wise men with us, to be whose
Unlearned scholler I was once judg'd worthy)
Besides even in the infants eyes appear'd,
Something which bred both wonder and delight.
With her I found this bag of precious stones
Which I gave you of late, and a silke cloth
Wrought full with letters in her mother tongue,
Wherein contayned was her whole estate;
Her mother as I ghesse procur'd the same,
Which after I had read, I knew from whence.
and what shee was, and therefore carryed her
Into the Land farre distant from the City
Delivering her to certaine honest shepheards
To bring her up, with charge that they should not
Reveale her unto any; for those things
That were found with her I detain'd with me,
Least for them she might suffer any danger,
And thus at first this matter was kept close.
Caric.
But what befell her after pray goe one.
In processe then of time this princelie maid
Growing and as she grew encreasing still
More faire then any women else besides
(For beautie surelie cannot be conceald
Though under ground but would from thence appeare)
I fearing least her fortune should be knowne
And I brought unto danger, su'd to be
Sent in embassage to the Deputie
Of Egipt and abtained it, therefore come I
And bring her with me, full of zealous care
To set her busines right and in good order.
Caric.
Leave that to me.
Nebul.
But chiefly unto me,
I'le be her guardion too.
Caric.
What will you have me doe concerning her?
Sysim.
As touching her, first I commend her to you,
(And to the gods who hitherto have kept her,)
On such conditions as by oath you'r bound
To see perform'd, that is that you will use her
As a free woman ought to be, and give her
In marriage to a free man, as you doe
Recevie her at my hand, or rather of
Her mother who hath left her to your charge:
I hope you will performe all things according
Unto your oath, and answer the opinion
I have of your good manners, which I finde
By some few dayes experience to be
Greekish indead; this much I had to say
Before I executed my commission
Concerning my embassage, other secrets
Belonging to the maid, i'le tell you them
To morrow in more ample manner, if
You please to meet me about Isis temple.
Caric.
Expect me there then; but I cannot brooke
So long a time to see the Virgin mask'd
In so obscure a manner.
Sysim.
Now I cannot
Stay to discover what I know of her;
The Deputie of Egypt hath appointed
This day for hearing of me: farewell both.
Exit Sysim.
Caric.
Can you speake Greeke my pretty sweet heart, can
you?
No, can you speake Egyptian? neither sweet?
Nebul.
I'le undertake to teach her both the tongues
So I may be her tutor.
she frownes upon him.
Caric.
Nebulo
Thou seest I have another daughter now,
She shall be called faire Cariclea
Deriv'd from Caricles which is my name.
Nebul.
Would I had such a daughter too, she should not
Have then so course a name, all men should call her.
The pretty Nebuletta; Nebulo,
A sumptuous pedegree, how sweet it runnes!
Caric.
Thy house would flourish then, were she thy daughter.
Nebul.
Above the clouds, the gods would lodge themselves
Beneath my roofe, and powre downe plenty on me
In golden showers to rest in Danaes lap.
Caric.
What growne so high conceited Nebulo?
Nebul.
Something inspir'd my braine, I know not what sir,
But now i'm come unto my selfe againe,
'Twas but a toy that tooke me.
Caric.
I believe it,
Many such toyes doe take thee in the head:
Get me a maske, I must convey this damzell
Muffled home to my house.
Nebul.
She need not be
Asham'd to shew her face, it may procure her
A husband by the way for ought you know;
You shall but wrong her much in doing so.
Caric.
Sirrah away, dispute no more, but doe it.
Exit & redit with a maske, they muffle her.
Nebul.
'Tis pitty faith methinkes to use her thus,
'Tis such a pretty thing.
Caric.
Come you must goe
With me my daughter deare where you shall be
Us'd and respected as my native child:
When I have understood (harke Nebulo
Her's newes for thee) by good Sysimethres
My daughters further state, we'll hye forthwith
To Greece and Delphos, and put on againe
My first religious habit; to your shrines
Ye gods we'll offer sanctified minds.
Exeunt.
Scena quarta.
Enter Demeneta and Thisbe her mayd.Demen.
When sawest thou Cnemon, Thisbe?
This.
Know you not
That Pallas high feast call'd Quinquatria
One with a ship by land, (as is the manner)
Was consecrated, Cnemon was imployd,
Clad in his robes, and on his head a crowne,
To sing the usuall hymne due to her praise
I saw him busie in the ceremonies.
Dem.
Is this the day? by Iove I knew it not,
Else had I beene spectator of the sight,
Chiefly to see my Cnemon in his office,
Could I be angry with him, I should chide him
For not acquainting me.
This.
He did it neatly;
I would not for my maiden-head have miss'd
So rare a sight, not for ten maiden-heads.
Dem.
Are all the rites and ceremonies done?
I faine would see yet the conclusion.
This.
Mistresse, tis to late; see Cnemon there
return'd in all his robes.
Enter Cnemon in his robes crowned, Demeneta runnes to him and takes him in her armes.
Dem.
My young Hippolitus, and my deare Theseus,
Welcome, O welcome to me.
Cnem.
Heavens defend me
From this lewd Phædra— aside.
Mother what dee meane
To burne me thus with kisses?
Dem.
Burthen thee
With blisses too I can, my pretty boy,
If thou wilt love thy mother.
Cnem.
In what nature
Require you that? if as it ought to be,
That children love their Parents, I agree.
Dem.
As Uenus with Anchises sported once
In Ida grove, so let mee sport with thee;
Dost understand me now?
Cnem.
You are too bold,
Too impudent.
Dem.
Nay, prethee doe not frowne,
This night I must enjoy thee, and thou me,
I will maintaine thee like a Princes sonne,
Glittering in gold, and our sweet furtive sports
Keepe from the sunne and knowledge of the gods,
No one shall know it.
Cnem.
Hence incestuous woman,
Think'st thou to make me wrong my fathers bed,
And to commit an act so foule as incest?
Tempt me no more; by heaven, by earth and all
Th'immortall gods, I'le die a thousand deaths
Ere thinke a thought on't, much lesse yeeld unto it,
Your damned wit, nor quaint inticing words
Shall not prevaile, my hate exceeds my love.
Exit Cnemon in a rage.
Demen.
Am I despised thus, and my hot love
Requited with disdaine, as cold as ice,
By such a youngling? he shall know the difference
Betweene a womans favours and her frownes,
And curse too late his foolish modesty:
Goe Thisbe to the Castle, tell my husband
I am not well, intreat him to come to me
With all the speed he can.
This.
I shall sweet Mistresse.—
Exit Thisbe.
Demeneta lies down upon the bed, faining her selfe sicke.
Dem.
What raging fires still burne me? how I am
Divided in my selfe tweene love and hate,
two mighty passions combatting together?
Love would prevaile, if reason might be judge,
But love is too unreasonably harsh:
Hate therefore execute thy proper function,
Enflame my breast with rage and high disdaine
Against this brat that gave me the repulse,
Inspire my study in his Tragedie.
Enter Aristippus and Thisbe.
Arist.
How fares my sweet heart, that she keepes her bed?
Dem.
Deare husband, very sicke and in ill case.
Arist.
The gods forbid, that sound doth strike me dead;
What ailes my dearest wife? tell me the cause
Dem.
Nothing Sir,
I know no cause at all.
Arist.
Come, come, you must not
Conceale your griefe, but lay it ope unto me,
I doe beseech my love.
Dem.
Since you are so
Importunate to know it, understand
The goodly young man, sonne unto us both
(To you by nature, but to me by love)
Whom I (the gods know) held as deare unto me
As you, when he perceiv'd by certaine tokens
I was with child by you (which thing I kept
Hid from your knowledge till I knew my selfe
The certainty) and waiting for your absence,
When I in wonted manner councell'd him
To leave his whores, and to avoid his cups
(Which things I knew he lov'd, but would not tell you,
Lest I should run into the ill suspition
Of stepmother) whilest I in gentle manner
Told him these things, I will not speake the worst,
Nor in what sort he did revile us both,
But last of all, he spurn'd me on the belly,
Which hath procur'd this my disease and paine.
Arist.
O villaine, I will scurge him even to death;
Thisbe, goe call him hither.
Exit Thisbe.
Then presently enters Cnemon, Aristippus falls presently a buffetting of him without speaking a word, then calls his servants and scurgeth him with rods.
Cnem.
Deare father, I beseech you let me know
The cause of this your anger and my stripes
So cruelly laid on mee.
Arist.
Oh cleanly dissembler,
Thou wouldst indeed know thy owne fault from me.
Hee beats him afresh.
Cnem.
Yet now at length, Sir, let me understand
What I have done, that thus provokes your wrath,
The gods doe know my innocence.
Base wretch,
Thy innocence; would she belie thee thinkst thou,
That lov'd thee better than her selfe? away,
Get out of my sight, I will not heare thee speak.
Exit Cnemon.
My dearest Demeneta, cheere your selfe,
Strive to forget the paine.
Dem.
I'm in bad plight,
So that I doe not onely feare the life
Of that I goe with, but mine owne, besides,
These accidents are dangerous to women;
Yet, Sir, it griev'd me that you tooke so sharpe
A punishment of Cnemon, for all this
I cannot chuse but love him.
Arist.
That's thy vertue,
But banish him thy thoughts as I will doe,
Hence forth as most unworthy of our love;
Come sweet, you shall remove from hence into
A fitter roome, I'le send a Doctor to you.
Exit Aristippus.
Dem.
You doe mistake my pulse, whose veines doe swell
With rage and furie, and shall live in paine,
Untill I be reveng'd.
This.
My Mistresse knowes
How to deceive old Dotards with false shewes.
Exeunt.
Scena quinta.
Enter Nebulo solus, frisking for joy.Nebul.
Wee shall fall downe the river Nile to night, and
hoise saile for Greece, brave newes, comfortable
newes, my heart capers within me for joy, that I shall see my
countrey againe; my Master is sore troubled for blacke Sysimethres
his constrained flight, which hath defeited their appointed
meeting and conference touching Caricleas fortunes, but
haste our journey the sooner, there's my comfort. I left him
cursing the Deputy, and invoking the god Apollos wrath to
plague him for dismissing the Embassadour so suddenly, with
such deadly threatenings to depart the Kingdome. Alas, poore
maid, I pity thee, that by this meanes thou shalt not be able to
one, thou wilt soone learne to be begotten, and to bring forth
by instinct of nature and thy owne experience. Catadupice
adiew adiew, adiew gentlemen; when you see us next, twill be
in Delphos; away, away, away, merrylie, merrily.
Exit.
| The Strange Discovery | |