 | The Heire |  |
Actus Tertius.
Enter Polimetes, Roscio, Eugenio, Psecas.Pol.
I cannot credit it, nor thinke that she
Of all the noble youth in Sicilly,
Should make so strange a choise, that none but he,
None but the sonne of my vow'd enemy
Must be her mate, it strikes me to amaze,
Minion take heede, doe not belie your Mistresse.
Pse.
Mercy forsake me if I doe my Lord,
You charg'd me to confesse the truth to you,
Which I haue fully done, and presently
Ile bring you where conceal'd, you shall both see
Their priuacy and heare their conference.
Pol.
Well I beleeue thee wench, and will reward
Thy trust in this, goe get thee in againe
And bring me word when Philocles is come,
Euge.
As your owne breast my Lord.
Pol.
I shall rest thankfull to you:
This stranger must be soothd lest he marre all.
Rosc.
This was well found out my Lord, you now haue
meanes to take your enemie.
Pol.
With blest occasion I will so pursue
As childlesse Euphes shall for euer rue.
Rise in thy blackest looke direst Nemesis
Assistant to my purpose, helpe me glut
My thirsty soule with blood. This bold yong man
To his rash loue shall sacrifice his life.
Ros.
What course you intend, to ruine him:
Pol.
Why kill him presently.
Ro.
Oh no my Lord,
Youle rue that action, thinke not that the Law
Will let such murther sleepe vnpunished.
Pol.
Should I now let him goe now I haue caught him
Ros.
Yes Sir, to catch him faster, and more safely.
Pol.
How should that be? speake man.
Ros.
Why thus my Lord;
You know the law speakes death to any man
That steales an Heire without her friends consent,
This must he do, his loue will prompt him to it,
For he can neuer hope by your consent
To marry her, and she tis like will giue
Content, for womens loue is violent,
Then marke their passage you shall easly find
How to surprise them at your will my Lord.
Pol.
Thou art my Oracle deare Roscio,
Heres Psecas come againe; how now what newes?
Pse.
My Lord they both are comming please you withdraw,
you shall both heare and see what you desire.
Enter Philocles and Leucothoe.
Leu.
Ye'are welcom Noble Sir and did my power,
Answere my loue your visitation,
Exprest in better fashion.
Phi.
Best of Ladies,
It is so well, so excellently well,
Comming from your wisht loue, my barren thankes
Wants language for't, there lies in your faire lookes
More entertainement then in all the pompe
That the vaine Persian euer taught the world,
Your presence is the welcome I expected,
That makes it perfect.
Leu.
Tis your noble thought
Makes good whats wanting here, but gentle friend,
For so I now dare call you.
Pol.
Tis well Minion you are bold
Enough I see to chuse your friends without my leaue.
Phi.
Tis my ambition euer to be yours.
Leu.
Thinke me not light, deare Philocles, so soone
To grant thee loue, that others might haue sought
With eagerest pursuit, and not obtain'd,
But I was yours by fate, and long haue beene,
Before you wood Leucothoe was wonne,
And yours without resistance.
Phi.
Oh my Starres
Twas your kind influence, that whilst I slept
In dullest ignorance, contriu'd for me
The way to crowne me with felicity.
Pol.
You may be deceiu'd though,
You haue no such great reason
To thanke your Starres if you knew all.
Phil.
And know faire Mistresse you haue met a loue,
That time, nor fate, nor death can euer change,
A man that but in you can haue no being:
Let this kisse seale my faith.
Leu.
And this mine.
Pol.
Nay too't againe, your sweete meate shall haue
sowre sawce.
Phi.
But sweet, 'mongst all these Roses ther's one thorne
That prickes and galls me, our parents enmity
Will crosse our loues, I doe assure my sonne
This father neuer will giue his consent.
No so I thinke, he moues me still to Virro
That old craz'd Count, and with such vehemency
I dare scarce bide his presence if I deny him;
Therefore we must be speedy in our course,
And take without his leaue what he denyes.
Pol.
I thanke you for that good daughter.
Ros.
I told you Sir twould come to this at last.
Phi.
Oh thou hast spoke my wishes, and hath shewd
Thy selfe in loue as true as beautifull;
Then let's away dearest Leucothoe,
My fortunes are not poore, then feare no want,
This constant loue of ours may proue so happy,
To reconcile our parents enmity.
Leu.
Heauen grant it may.
Po.
Neuer by this meanes
yongster.
Leu.
But soft now I thinke better ont Ile not goe.
Phi.
Why dearest, is thy loue so quickly cold?
Leu.
No, but ile not venter thee, thine is the danger,
Thou knowest tis death by law to steale an heire,
And my deare brothers most vntimely death,
Hath lately made me one, what if thou shouldst be taken.
Phi.
Oh feare not that, had I a thousand liues,
They were too small a venture for such prise,
I tell thee sweete, a face not halfe so faire
As thine, hath arm'd whole actions in the field,
And brought a thousand ships to Tenedos,
To sacke lamented Troy, and should I feare
To venture one poore life, and such a life
As would be lost in not possessing thee:
Come come, make that no scruple, when shall we goe.
Leu.
This present euening, for to morrow morning
My father lookes that I should giue consent
To marry with the Count,
Phil.
Best of all, would twere this present houre,
Ile goe prepare, but shall I call thee heere.
Leu.
Oh no, weele meete.
Phi.
Where dearest.
Leu.
East from the City by a Riuers side,
Where often riding by I haue obserued
A little Hermitage, there I will stay
If I be first, if you, doe you the like,
Let th'houre be ten, then shall I best escape.
Phi.
Nere sweeter comfort came from Angels lips
I know the place, and will be ready there
Before the houre: Ile bring a friend with me
As true as mine owne heart, one Clerimont,
That may doe vs good if danger happen.
Leu.
Vse your pleasure.
Phi.
Dearest farewell,
Houres will seeme yeeres till we are met againe.
exeunt.
Pol.
Ah Sirrah, this geere goes well, god a mercy girle
For thy intelligence, why this is as much as a
Man could desire, the time, place, and euery thing;
I warrant vm they passe no further, well
Goe thou in and wait vpon thy Mistresse, shees
Melancholly till she see her sweete heart againe, but
When shee does, shee shall not see him long,
Not a word of whats past among vs for your life.
Pse.
I warrant you my Lord.
Pol.
Ile not so much as shew an angry looke,
Or any token that I know any of their proceedings,
But Rosio, we must lay the place strongly, if they
Should scape vs, I were pritily fool'd now after all
This.
Ros.
Why tis impossible my Lord, weele goe
Strong enough, besides I thinke it fit we tooke
An Officer along with vs to countenance it the
Better.
Pol.
Thou sayst well, goe get one,
Ile goe my selfe along with you too, I loue
To see sport though I am old, you'le goe
Along with vs to Sir.
Eu.
I Sir, you shall
Command my seruice when you are ready.
Pol.
Now Euphues, what I did but barely act
Thy bleeding heart shall feele, losse of a sonne
If Law can haue his course, as who can let it,
I know thou think'st mine dead, and in thy heart
That winne the prize, things nere are knowne till ended.
Exeunt Pol. and Ros.
Eugenio solus.
Eug.
Well I like my sisters choise, she has taken a man
Whose very lookes and carriage speake him
Worthy, besides he is Noble, his fortunes sufficient,
They both loue each other, what can my father
More desire, that he gapes so after this old
Count, that comes for the estate, as tother vpon
My soule does not, but pure spotlesse loue, but
Now his plot is for reuenge vpon his old enemy:
Fye, Fye tis bloudy and vnchristian, my soule
Abhors such acts, this match may rather
Reconcile our houses, and I desire where worth
Is to haue friendship, as on my soule tis there.
Well Philocles I hope to call thee brother.
Somewhat Ile doe, Ile goe perswade Count Uirro
Not to loue her, I know the way, and Ile but
Tell him truth her brother liues, that will
Coole his loue quickly; but soft, here comes
The Count as fit as may be.
Enter Virro.
Uir.
She loues me not yet, but that's no matter,
I shall haue her, her father sayes I shall,
And I dare take his word, maides are quickly
Ouer-rul'd, ah, ah, me thinkes I am growne yonger
Then I was by twenty yeeres, this Fortune
Cast vpon me, is better then Medeas charme, to
Make an old man yong againe, to haue a
Lords estate freely bestowed, and with it such
A beauty as should warme Nectors bloud,
Make old Priam lusty. Fortune I see thou louest me
Now, Ile build a Temple to thee shortly, and
are you.
Euge.
A poore Scholler my Lord, one that
Am little beholding to Fortune.
Uir.
So are most of your profession,
Thou shouldst take some more thriuing
Occupation, to be a iudges man, they are
The brauest now adayes, or a Cardinals
Pander, that were a good profession and gainefull.
Euge.
But not lawfull, my Lord.
Uerro.
Lawfull,
That Cardinall may come to be Pope, and
Then he could pardon thee and himselfe too.
Eu.
My Lord I was brought vp a Scholler.
And I thanke your counsell, My
Lord, I haue some for you, and therefore I
Came.
Vir.
For me, what I prithee.
Eu.
Tis weighty and concernes you neere.
Vir.
Speake, what ist?
Eu.
My Lord, you are to marry old Polimetes
Daughter.
Vir.
And Heire.
Eu.
No Heire
My Lord, her Brother is aliue.
Vir.
How, Thou art mad.
Eu.
My Lord,
What I speake is true, and to my knowledge
His father giues it out in pollicy to marry his
Daughter the better, to hooke in sutors, and
Specially aym'd at you, thinking you rich
And couetous, and now he has caught you.
Vir.
But dost thou mock me.
Eu.
Let me be euer miserable if I speake
Not truth, as sure as I am here Eugenio liues,
I know it, and know him, where he is.
Vir.
Where prithee.
Eu.
Not a daies iourney hence,
Where his father enioyn'd him to stay till your
Match, and sends word to him of this plot:
Besides, I ouer-hard the old Lord and his man
Roscio, laughing at you for being caught thus.
Why, wert thou at the house then.
Eu.
Yes, But had scuruy entertainement
Which I haue thus reueng'd.
Vir.
Beshrew my heart I know not what
To thinke on't, tis like enough, this Lord was
Alwayes cunning beyond measure, and it
Amaz'd me that he should grow so extreme
Kind to me on the suddaine to offer me all this:
Besides this fellow is so confident, and on
No ends of couznage that I can see; well,
I would faine enioy her, the Wench is
Delicate, but I would haue the estate too, and
Not be guld, what shall I doe, now braines
If euer you will, helpe your Master.
Eu.
It stings him.
Vir.
Well, so Sir,
What may I call your name?
Eu.
Irus my Lord.
Vir.
Your name as well as your attire
Speakes you poore.
Eu.
I am so.
Vir.
And very poore.
Eu.
Very poore.
Vir.
Would you not gladly take a course
To get money, and a great some of mony.
Eu.
Is gladly if your Lordship would but
Shew me the way.
Vir.
Harke ye.
Eu.
Oh my Lord, Conscience.
Vir.
Fye, neuer
Talke of Conscience, and for Law thou art
Free, for all men thinke him dead, and
His father will be ashamed to follow it
Hauing already giuen him for dead,
And then who can know it, come be wise,
Fiue hundreth crownes Ile giue.
Eu.
Well, tis pouerty that does it, and not I,
When shall I be paid.
Vir.
When thou hast done it.
Eu.
Well giue me your
Hand for it my Lord.
Vir.
Thou shalt.
Eu.
In writing, to be paid when I haue
Poysoned him, and thinke it done.
Uir.
Now thou
Eu.
And this shall stop thy mouth for euer Count.
Leucothoe
sola.
There is no creature heere, I am the first,
Me thinkes this sad and solitary place
Should strike a terror to such hearts as mine;
But loue has made me bold, the time has beene,
In such a place as this I should haue fear'd
Each rowling leafe, and trembled at a reed
Stird in the Mooneshine, my fearefull fancy
Would frame a thousand apparisions,
And worke some feare out of my very shadow:
I wonder Philocles is tardy thus,
When last wee parted euery houre, he said,
Would seeme a yeere till we were met againe.
It should not seeme so by the hast he makes,
Ile sit and rest me, come I know he will.
Enter Philocles and Clerimont.
Phi.
This Clerimont, this is the happy place
Where I shall meet the summe of all my ioyes,
And be possest of such a treasury
As would inrich a Monarch.
Leu.
This is his voyce,
My Philocles.
Phi.
My life, my soule, what here before me,
Oh thou dost still out goe me, and dost make
All my endeauours poore in the requitall
Of thy large fauours, but I forget my selfe.
Sweete bid my friend here welcome, this is he
That I dare trust next mine owne heart with secrets.
But why art thou disguised thus.
Leu.
I durst not venture else to make escape.
Phi.
Euen now me thinkes I stand as I would wish
With all my wealth about me, such a loue
And such a friend, what can be added more
To make a man liue happy, thou darke groue
That hast beene cald the seat of Melancholy,
Sure thou art wrong, thou seemst to me a place
Of solace and content, a Paradise
That giuest me more then euer Court could doe
Or richest Palace, blest be thy faire shades,
Let birds of musicke euer chant it heere,
No croking Rauen, or ill booding Owle
Make heere their balefull hahitation
Frighting thy walkes, but mayst thou be a groue
Where loues faire Queene may take delight to sport:
For vnder thee two faithfull Louers meet,
Why is my faire Leucothoe so sad.
Leu.
I know no cause, but I would faine be gone.
Phi.
Whether sweete.
Leu.
Any whether from hence.
My thoughts diuine of treason, whence I know not,
There is no creature knowes our meeting heere
But one, and thats my maid, she has beene trusty
And will be still I hope, but yet I would
She did not know it, prithee lets away
Any where else, we are secure from danger.
Phi.
Then lets remoue, but prithee be not sad.
noise within.
What noise is that.
Leu.
Ay me.
Phi.
Oh feare not Loue.
draw.
Eer Polimedes, Roscio, Eugenio and Officers.
Pol.
Vpon vm Officers, yonder they are.
Phi.
Theeues, Villaines.
Pol.
Thou art the Thiefe and the Villaine too,
Giue me my Daughter thou rauisher.
Phi.
First take my life.
Pol.
Vpon vm I say.
fight.
Knocke vm downe Officers if they resist,
they are taken.
Leu.
Oh they are lost, ah wicked, wicked Psecas,
Pol.
So keepe vm fast, weele haue vm faster shortly, and
for you Minion, Ile tye a clog about your neck for running
Leu.
Yet do but heare me father.
Pol.
Call me not father thou disobedient wretch,
Thou Run-away, thou art no child of mine,
My Daughter nere wore Breeches.
Leu.
Oh Sir, my Mother would haue done as much
For loue of you, if need had so required,
Thinke not my mind transformed as my habite.
Pol.
Officers away with vm, peace Stumpet,
You may discharge him, he's but an assistant.
Leu.
Oh stay and heare me yet, heare but a word
And that my last it may be, doe not spill
The life of him in whom my life subsists,
Kill not two liues in one, remember Sir,
I was your Daughter once, once you did loue me,
And tell me then, what fault can be so great,
To make a father murtherer of his child,
For so you are in taking of his life.
Oh thinke not Sir that I will stay behinde him
Whilst there be Aspes, and Kniues, and burning Coles,
No Roman dame shall in her great example
Outgoe my loue.
Phi.
Oh where will sorrow stay,
Is there no end in griefe, or in my death
Not punishment enough for my offence,
But must her griefe be added to afflict me;
Dry vp those Pearles dearest Leucothoe,
Or thou wilt make me doubly miserable,
Preserue that life, that I may after death
Liue in my better part, take comfort deare,
People would curse me, if such beauty should
For me miscarry, no, liue happy thou,
And let me suffer what the law inflicts.
Leu.
My offence was as great as thine,
And why should not my punishment.
Pol.
Come haue you done, Officers away with him.
Exit Philocles.
But Rosio you and I must about the businesse:
Sir let it be your charge to watch my Daughter,
And see she send no message any whither,
Nor receiue any.
Eu.
It shall my Lord.
exeunt manet Eu. and Leu.
Ile be an Argus, none shall come heere I warrant you,
My very heart bleedes to see two such louers so
Faithfully parted so. I must condemne my father,
Hees too cruell in this hard action, and did not
Nature forbid it, I could raile at him, to reake
His long fostred malice against Lord Euphues thus
Vpon his sonne, the faithfull louer of his owne
Daughter, and vpon her, for should it come to passe
As he expects it shall, I thinke t'would kill her
Too, she takes it—: See in what strange amazement
Now she stands, her griefe has spent it selfe so
Farre that it has left her sencelesse, it greeues
Me thus to see her, I can scarce forbeare reuealing
Of my selfe to her, but that I keepe it for a
Better occasion when things shall better answere to
My purpose: Lady.
Leu.
What are you.
Eu.
In that my Lord your father has appointed
To giue attendance on you.
Leu.
On me, alas I neede no attendance,
He might bestow his care better for me.
Eu.
I came but lately to him, nor doe I meane
Long to stay with him, in the meane time Lady
Might I but doe you any seruice.
Leu.
All seruice is too late, my hopes are deseperate.
Eu.
Madame, I haue a feeling of your woe,
A greater your owne brother could not haue,
And thinke not that I come suborn'd by any
To vndermine your secrets, I am true,
By all the gods I am, for further tryall
Command me any thing, send me on any message
Ile doe it faithfully, or any thing else
That my poore power can compasse.
Oh strange fate
Haue I lost pitty in a fathers heart,
And shall I find it in a stranger: Sir
I shall not liue to thanke you, but my prayers
Shall goe with you.
Eu.
Tis not for thankes or neede
But for the seruice that I owe to vertue
I would doe this.
Leu.
Surely this man
Is nobly bred, how ere his habite giue him:
But Sir, all physicke comes to me too late,
There is no hope my Philocles should liue:
Eu.
Vnlesse the King were pleasd to grant his pardon,
Twe're good that he were mou'd.
Leu.
Ah who should doe it,
I feare me tis in vaine, Count Virro
And my father both will crosse it, but I would venture
If I could get but thither.
Eu.
Thats in my power
To giue you liberty, your father left me
To be your keeper, but in an act
So meritorious as this, I will not hinder you,
Nay I will waite vpon you to the Court.
Leu.
A thousand thankes to you, well ile goe,
Grant oh you powers aboue, if Virgins teares,
If a true loues prayers had euer power
To moue compassion grant it now to me,
Arm'd with so strong a vigor, my weake words
They may pierce deepe into his kingly brest,
And force out mercy in spite of all opposers.
Eu.
Come lets away.
exeunt.
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