 | The Tragedy of Messallina, The Roman Emperesse |  |
ACT. 3.
SCENE. 1.
Enter Annaus Mela.Mela.
My brother gone to exile and I here,
So neare the Empresse Court, the Court of shame,
Where mischiefes hourely breed; how strange seemes this,
I have a will to follow, yet I want
My wills performance; not that I am sicke,
Wanting, or limbes, or libertie; which begets
More strange immaginations, yet all I can.
Comes short to guesse th'inscrutable meaning
That thus deteines me here, in vaine, in vaine:
The more I strive my senses I confound,
Then give it o're, salute thy mother earth,
Lies downe.
Vpon the wings of thought takes flight and flie
Fly to the lland of Coreyra there,
Learne the soules comfort sweete Philosophy,
What infinite good 'tis to contemplate heaven,
For to that end the life of man is given.
Enter Montanus in disguise.
Mon.
Prove prosperous my designe upon this
Brother to the banisht Seneca,
Are you cought Sir?
Snatcheth Mela's Sword from behind him.
Mel.
Ha, villaine what art thou.
Mon.
A murderer and villaine, O Sir,
'Tis the best thriving trade and best imployd
'Gainst such malevolent Satyrists as you
You that are all for vertue, a meere word,
When indeede ther's no such thing; say there be
None truly loves it but dies beggerly.
Mel.
Slave, rather dispatch me then torment my soul
With thy envenom'd scoffes 'gainst that that is
Most rare, most excellent.
Mon.
A little more,
And then I'le speede you, excellent Ladies
Cannot disable with a charming spell,
(A trick of wit, a humour that they have)
Husbands they not affect; making free way
For Atlas backs to leape their lovely lappes,
But your Satyricall censure straight must passe,
Th'ones pride's scabd-hammd Rascalls, and the others
Mischiefes veneriall Trulls; these are fine tearmes,
Pray who made you a censurer of manners.
O slave,
Mon.
T'upbraid such emminent persons
What madnesse durst the like, deserv'st not death,
Yes, yet your life is safe, passe but your vow
T'embrace a beautie I shall bring you to,
(More delicate then was the Spartan Queene)
One that shall pay large tribute night by night,
Give thee thy weight in gold for each delight.
Mel.
Not I, I yeeld my body mercenary slave
To lust and lucre, no, though mines of gold
She could give oftner then those whorish lookes
Women take pride in, to bewitch mens soules;
First partch't to Cinders, 'gainst the burning Zone,
Be buried quicke, all torments possible,
(Stretcht on the Tenters of invention)
I gladly would (most willingly) endure
E're thy soule killing proffers enters here.
Mon.
No?
Mel.
Pish, for my death, ther's too much man in me
To feare so sleight a scratch; let it come,
I will no budg a foote; strike faire and home,
Tis better die then live to live unjust,
Slave to th'unsounded Sea of womans lust.
Mon.
Are you so confident, have at you Sir,
Offers to runne at him and flings downe the Weapon.
Your love, your love, 'tis onely that I seeke
I am no villaine, though I seem'd in show
But one that fearefull in these dangerous times
For to retaine a friend; led on by hope
Of your faire life, whom envie in your foes
Reports no lesse of; caus'd me through disguise,
To put to tryall your unvalued worth,
Sun-like your vertues outshine purest gold.
Mel.
Beleeve me Sir ther's no such thing in me
Worthy your least Encomium.
Mon.
But there is
A miracle, which but in me in part,
Through friendships deare respect incorporate.
And you shall binde me everlastingly
To blesse the houre we met.
Mel.
As I am slow,
To friendships confidence (as tis requisite
For ev'ry one, and yet once enter'd in
Affect stabilitie, judge you the same,
A man that truly sensative well knowes,
Vertue to be but meerely adjective;
Wanting that soveraigne sweetnesse which directs
The minde to honest Actions; and therefore,
As friendship joynes with vertue; truly is,
The lover of love; each true friends propertie,
By that true blessing, sundry, wills connexion
Our hearts as hands unite, dilate affection,
That th'enlarge length, orbicular may spread
And ne'r finde end.
Mon.
So am I yours.
Mel.
You mine.
Mon.
Vnparallel'd is that love where friends combine.
Enter Valens, Proculus, Menester.
Here comes the top top gallants of the time.
Mel.
The fooles of the time; how are we bound to heaven
Exempt the bondage of these Palace Rats,
These, whose delights are last provocatives.
Let us withdraw, and seeme to minde them not.
Men.
Was men er'e blest with that excesse of joy
Equall to ours; to us that feele no want
Of high court favours lifes licentiousnesse;
Kings have their cares, and in their highest state,
Want those free pleasures crownes us fortunate.
Val.
O happy state.
Mel.
Glorious slave.—
Aside.
Val.
Thrice happy,
I'de not change Earth for Ioves felicitie.
Pro.
Nor I, who wu'd, what inconsiderate he
For such a Mistris as the Emp'resse
Wu'd be so dull, as not make use of Art,
Forcing the bodies joviall able might,
To yeeld her expectation full delight.
Mon.
Libidnious Goate.—
Aside.
Val.
I'de do't, though Phaeton like,
The hot receipt should fire this Fabrick.
Men.
When I commemorate her excellence,
How lavish lovely dalliance free proceedes
From that raritie of perfection, O
How I'me ravisht; ravisht in thought as well,
As with the Act; which breeds no wonder though
High Iove transhap't him to Amphitrio
To taste the pleasure of Alcmenas bed;
Needs must such prodigall sweets mad thoughts of
Men; when power t'atract the Gods.
Mel.
Impious Letchers.—
Aside.
Mon.
Silence, marke the event.—
Aside.
Val.
I that know none more worthy then my selfe
Of true regard and worth; would be resolv'd
What's he, that beares the valliant minde of man
Dares for his mightie soveraigne Mistris more
Pro.
That dare I, I dare;
Fond that thou art to question such a toy,
Were thy power equall to thy daring pride,
Proculus dares doe more.
Men.
Nor thou, nor he,
Not Valens nor Proculus though you both,
Both durst as much as he durst cuckold Iove
Menester would transcend you.
Val.
That our bloods decide.
All draw, exposed to a Triple sight round.
Pro.
A Spirit of valour.
Men.
Let it come.
Enter Messallina and Saufellus above.
Mess.
What killing objects, this presents our eyes,
Our Favorites turn'd fighters must not be,
Descend Saufellus, know the cause, wee'l follow.
Val.
Stand all so firme, this Seale expresse my rage.
Pro.
Mine this,
Men.
This mine
Wound each other.
Enter Saufellus.
Sauf.
Hold, hold, y're wounded all;
As you'l incurre our Emp'resse deepe displeasure
Hold, and resolve why thus you have expos'd
Your lives to danger.
Enter Empresse.
Mess.
Whence proceeds this fray.
Men.
From that concernes the credits of best men
Your excellence most.
Mess.
And was that the cause?
Wee doe embrace and pretiously account
The vigour of your loves; so you no more
So full of spight, let prosecute your hate.
With the like hardy daring, twill not please.
We should esteeme your jarres rediculous
Issuing from brainelesse wit discern'd in others.
And as 'tis common to our emminent Sex,
Triumph instate, and glory in your falls;
Yet th'operation of your loves so workes,
That it scruze ours to judge the contrary.
Dry up your wounds with care; then come to court
Love shall entrance your soules; prepare for sport.
Exit Messallina and Saufel.
Val.
Ile study Art in love for recompence.
Pro.
My love shall mount.
Men.
Mine yeeld profuse expence.
Exeunt Favorites.
Mon.
Here was a storme of mischiefe soone blowne or'e,
Mel.
'Twas to preserve them for a wicked life,
But since these complices are gon that are
Not worth least memory; behold this booke,
Set my deare friend, and I will read to thee
Of that high Majestie puissant Ens,
From whom we have our being, life, and soule,
Which should dull flintie inconsiderate man,
When with black deeds 'ith mytie bog of sinne,
Beast like he wallowes; considers right,
Thinkes on his present state (whence came and must)
Then on that terrible Thunderer that sees,
Would dare t'offend his Maker, but with teares,
Lament his soules polution, which doth give
Matter, by which mens soules immortall live,
But through an unfrequented heavinesse
I am prevented.
Mon.
Repose a while I'le reade.
Enter Empresse and Saufellus above.
Emp.
Make us celestiall happy with thy newes,
Art thou sure 'tis he.
Sauf.
'Tis, 'tis Montanus,
Sure as I live, I tooke full view of him
Before and after the fight; then with drawne
Within yon grove of Oakes.
Emp.
My hearts on fire
To clip him; fly swift as thought Saufellus
Conduct him to our Paradice of joy,
If he escape desire then confound us,
We onely view'd him once, but then the time
Crost our desires; blest opportunitie
That makes our happinesse a very heav'n
Wee'l build an Altar, and erect a shrine
That shall eternize thee for this; wer't my brother
Resembled him we so intirely love,
Wee'd force him ravish pleasure if not kill
Be a Suniramis to sate our will.
Enter Saufellus.
Sauf.
Haile to Montanus.
Mon.
Sir the like to you.
Sauf.
'Tis th'Emp'resse pleasure you attend her will.
Know you the cause.
Sauf.
Delay not with demands th'are frivilous
Will you along.
Mon.
Your favour sir a while;
I'le but awake my friend, (So-ho) sleepy still,
Pray heaven this heavinesse imports no harme.
Exeunt.
Mel.
How's this, my friend departed, I alone,
I know not what to thinke, 'tis very strange,
He thus unwak'd would leave me; sure he striv'd,
Yet I so fast, that he no doubt was loath
To breake my rest; 'tis so, and some chiefe cause
Which I might well dispence with drew him hence.
I'le to his fathers house, there certaine finde
Or heare of him.
Exit.
Hoboyes. A Banquet, to it Montanus is usher'd in state by Saufellus and others, who placing him depart; Hoboyes cease, and solemne Musicke playes during his speech.
Mon.
O Potent lust, thou that hast power to make
The valiant and the wise, coward, and foole,
I'me not so dull, but that I know thee now.
Now comprehend why Musicke breathes delight,
And why this banquet; why both presents themselves
To be my slaves; 'Tis to make me a slave
To lust; that deadly potion of the soule,
Whose poyson quaft, kills body and the soule.
That's the maine end of these harmonious straines,
These stirring meates, which unto me appeare,
Like those blew flames the damned taste in hell.
Enter Emperesse by degrees, gazing at him.
Celestiall Angels guard me, now she comes,
And I so ill prepar'd, I, know not what,
A suddaine earthquake trembles natures frame,
Which like a falling Pine tree to and fro,
Vncertaine where to fall, it tottering stands.
She's most bewitching sweet, I feare, I feare,
She will ore come; now I begin to burne,
To scortch, like to the coales of Etna; strike
Me eternall winter with thy frosts; quench
Quench this hot combustion in my blood,
And if I needs must fall, O sacred powers
Benumbe my senses so, that I may taste
No sweetnesse in the Act, yeeld no delight.
Emp.
Thus long with admiration we have stood
To gaze on thy perfections, pretious shape
Why dost thou shake? why stare? as rapt in wonder
Why dumbe? or think'st thy happinesse a dreame
This kisse confirme thee ours; entrance thy soule
To stirre loves-panting appetite while thus
We clip thee in our Armes, embrace thee thus.
Mon.
O—
Emp.
That's loves Alarum, to bed, to bed,
To Venus field, there combate for loves treasure
Swimme in excesse of joy, there ravish pleasure.
Exeunt.
To thee faire fortune in divinest sense,
In whom all excellence inclusive is,
To that high power, I invocate impore.
If pleas'd, direct where I may finde my friend,
Ful when, I fitly may assimulate
The restlesse acquiessence of my minde,
To the perpetuall motion of a wheele.
That by the force of water restlesse turnes
The vigour of the torrent left unstopt.
So the strang absence of my noble friend,
Suffers th'insulting tortent of sad griefe,
(Tyranicke-like upon the wheele of sense)
To racke my restlesse rest, which I must beare,
'Tis vaine to strive 'gainst sorrowes streame to swim,
Man hath no power on griefe, griefe power on him;
What's he declines his visage to the ground,
Is't not my friend? tis he, happily met.
Enter Montanus dejected in countenance.
Mon.
Hell-cat no more, no more of thy imbrace,
Findest thou my body enemy to lust
And yet agen attempts me.
Mel.
How's this?
Mon.
Keepe off insatiate Empresse, I'le no more,
Poyson of Monsters, the blood of Nessas
Damme up thy Curtian-gulph-like appetite;
May furies fright thy whorish fortitude
Dancing Lavolto's in the very act
And dambe you.
Mel.
Save him divine assistance;
Mon.
Tis so, and I am happily mistooke
Thy pardon worthy friend, it was my feare
Of further ill; made me forget my selfe
Distracted sense, as well it might, O ther's
A strange deede past.
Mel.
I fully comprehend,
By that distemper lately in your blood.
'Twas musicks sweetest concord to my soule,
To heare with what a cold performance
Th'act was wrested from you, happy prevention
How like a doubtfull battle it hath made
The victory more joyfull; which had else,
Had you replenisht those soule-killing sweets,
No meanes for safetie then, but fall you must,
A prey to slaughter, or a slave to lust.
But since with heavens prevention you are free,
Fly Rome; the impious maladies she breeds,
Experience tells, are hookes to catch at soules.
Therefore to be avoyded, ther's no trust
To trust to stay, where such infection raignes.
VVho is at all times one; in that right way
Man ought to be, being circumvolv'd mong those,
That by the Plummets of licentious will
Measure their vertues; 'tis impossible.
By that distemper lately in your blood.
'Twas musicks sweetest concord to my soule,
To heare with what a cold performance
Th'act was wrested from you, happy prevention
How like a doubtfull battle it hath made
The victory more joyfull; which had else,
Had you replenisht those soule-killing sweets,
No meanes for safetie then, but fall you must,
A prey to slaughter, or a slave to lust.
But since with heavens prevention you are free,
Fly Rome; the impious maladies she breeds,
Experience tells, are hookes to catch at soules.
Therefore to be avoyded, ther's no trust
To trust to stay, where such infection raignes.
VVho is at all times one; in that right way
Man ought to be, being circumvolv'd mong those,
That by the Plummets of licentious will
Measure their vertues; 'tis impossible.
The scholler, He, in whom there doth consist
Honest conditions, and within whose heart
Ther's many vertues make their residence,
Though with night watchings at his study site,
Wasting his vitall spirits (not unlike
His burning Tapor) to illuminate
Others the way that leads to the direct,
From superficiall to essentiall joy,
Even he ill company corrupts, directs
To the indirect; so that some one vice
Robs him of all his vertue: The Souldier
That magnanimious resolution,
He that leaves nothing unattempted
May tend to the honour of his countrey,
Ill company poysons with selfe conceit,
Cankers with envie; till on the racke of
Haute ambition stretcht, like stubble set
On fire he prove a flame.
And therefore to prevent us, gainst all ill 'gainst
Wisedome commands our absence, truly knowes,
Man at the best, his power to doe is little
His state obnoxious, at the best most brittle.
Honest conditions, and within whose heart
Ther's many vertues make their residence,
Though with night watchings at his study site,
Wasting his vitall spirits (not unlike
His burning Tapor) to illuminate
Others the way that leads to the direct,
From superficiall to essentiall joy,
Even he ill company corrupts, directs
Robs him of all his vertue: The Souldier
That magnanimious resolution,
He that leaves nothing unattempted
May tend to the honour of his countrey,
Ill company poysons with selfe conceit,
Cankers with envie; till on the racke of
Haute ambition stretcht, like stubble set
On fire he prove a flame.
And therefore to prevent us, gainst all ill 'gainst
Wisedome commands our absence, truly knowes,
Man at the best, his power to doe is little
His state obnoxious, at the best most brittle.
Mon.
Your counsell points my actions their true way
To immortalitie, forewarnes to flye,
The dire event of future Tragedy
Which as the flame, the fire of force must follow
By th'Emp'resse bloudy project; that Monster
In nature, in this the Emperours absence,
Mounts on the highest Spyre of infamy,
Resolves to joyne in Hymeneall bands
With Cajus which Silius quaint vallanie,
To put in speedy practise, he last night
Ariv'd at Court.
Mel.
There let their impudence,
For glassie glories of Monorcall state
Ingender sinne with sinne, flatter their hopes,
While our soules fixt on contemplation
Make for the Ile of Corce, (come my deare
Friend there on the Tyrhen shore wee'l practise
Mans sole perfection to be heavenly wise.
Exeunt.
| The Tragedy of Messallina, The Roman Emperesse | |