University of Virginia Library

ACTVS SECVNDVS

SCÆNA PRIMA

[The Presence Chamber in the Palace.]
ALCIDONVS
solus.
The name of Victorie, whose sound creates
New life, and spirit to men (when betwixt hope,
And feare, a desperate diffidence doth seaze 'em)
Cannot be so much pleasing to my Prince, now,
As thy deare name, Selina, is to mee.
Selina! in whose Breast there dwells all ioyes
That can be fancied. I bring others peace,
But Warr to thee and to my selfe, Selina.
I must not see her, much lesse speake to her,
Without a fathers curse; yett wee are married,
Firme as the holy Preist and loue could make vs.
I see no Reason that the Parents hate
Should bee entayl'd. But I forgett my busines;
Where doe you wander, thoughts?

Enter KING, PANOPIA, SELINA, ANTHARIS, CLEPHIS.
King.
Now Alcidonus!
Thou bring'st good Omens with thee.

Alci.
Such, great Sir,
As victorie can import. The Generall
Wo'd not loose time to write; he bad mee hast
Or he should bring the newes himselfe.

King.
Wee long t'imbrace him, as hee is in blood
Nere to vs, so no lesse in our affection
Then his Deserts doth claime.

Alci.
Madame, the Duty
I owe vnto the sister of my King,
Calls my respects to you.

Pan.
Thanks, Alcidonus.
[Aside to Alcidonus].
Selina was all teares till thy returne,
But they were onely spent to make her growe,
And spring vp freshly at thy view.

Alci.
[aside to Panopia].
O Madame,
There is a waking Dragon heere that keepes mee
From this diuine fruit. [Aside to Selina].
My most deare Selina!
I dare not speake to thee.

Seli.
[aside to Alcidonus].
Curst fate!

Alci.
[to Antharis].
All duty
Vnto my father.

Antha.
[who has observed their whispering].
As you prise my fauor,
Cast no affection that way—

Alci.
(aside).
I shall burst then:
For my great hart is full and I must vent it.
[Aside to Selina].
O my Selina, wo'd my thoughts had wings,
That they might fly to thee, or actiue Sence,
That I might send 'em through myne Eyes.

Seli.
[aside to Alcidonus].
Be silent;
Wee'le liue like tirtles and mourne out our loues,
Not till they leaue vs, but wee leaue to bee.

Alci.
[aside].
I shalbe lost if I proceede—

King.
[to Alcidonus].
It seemes then,
The Battaile did not last long.

Alci.
As they ioyn'd,
The Souldiers harts being full of ioy and Courage
For their new Generall, could not containe,
But with great Clamor cry'd out: Arioldus!
As if that name should teach their swords a way
Vnto Reuenge. The noise perplext the foe;
For they came on, as to an Enemie,
Whome losse, and feare, had weakened; and finding
Such Spirit, and Vigor, would not stand the Brunt,
But fled, and death did dog 'em at the heeles;
Hee was so grim, and terrible, they durst not
Looke in his face. Some Captiues there are taken,
Some ransom'd. Here's the Generall.

[Enter] ARIOLDVS, ANDRVCHO, ASPRANDVS, ISEAS.
King.
Arioldus!
Now I will call thee myne, and without Enuie,
Since thou hast done enough to make her silent.
Thy name hath gotten Victories, what wo'd
Thy Valor doe? Thou dost o'recome in Peace too,
For in a Conflict with my selfe, I find
I had the worst in loosing thee so long;
But I'le recall that Truant Tyme, and pay thee
My best affections now.

Ariol.
Great Sir, the Peace
I bring you by this Victorie, is not
More full of safety then I am of Sorrow
That I haue done no more. If I had paid you
(That which I owe) my life, I had dyed happie.
There had bene then a Memorie afforded
Vnto my actions, and some happely
Might haue lett fall a Pitty; but to liue
Where I can n'ere requite such noble fauors,
It is a Misery too mighty for mee.
[Kneeling].
O lett mee fall and grow heere, till I rise
Worthy of your acceptance.

King.
Cousin, you wrong
Your merritt much. Sister, here is a Jewell
That I would haue you value.

Pan.
His owne worth
Is a sufficient Plea, it makes a Way
For my respects to follow.

Ariol.
Noble Madame,
Your Vertues rather I should imitate,
Beeing a rare Example, and I will;
Knowing ther are no wayes to doe you seruice,
But those whose Ends are good.

King.
Now, Iseas,
And you, Asprandus, are turn'd gallant Souldiers;
But my tall Switzer heere, my honest Banddog,
Hee can deale blowes aswell as words. I'le loose him,
And hee shall fly at all; has an old tooth,
That will bite shroudly.

Andru.
'Tis growne blunt a' late, Sir.

King.
Why, how comes that to passe?

Andru.
'Tis out a' fashion.

King.
What?

Andru.
To speake Truth. 'Tis not to be indur'd.
A Courtier hates it as hee hates short hose,
Or a small high crown'd hatt. A Cittison
(As if 'twere Poison) breakes when it appeares,
For it discouers much. Ther's many a Lady,
That dares not looke vpon the Light, but they
Haue coulor for't. Alas! should naked Truth
Appeare before them? Fye! The onely way
To haue Truth seene is through a glasse.

King.
What glasse?

Andru.
An Artificiall Glasse, where euery man,
Shall in his owne true Humor be presented.
The Courtier at his Cringe and smile; the Statist
With an erect looke, and high language, neuer
Minding inferiour things; the Judge with's—Ha!
Frighting the trembring Prisoner; the Crittick
Shaking his emptie Noddle; and the Gallant,
With some quaint oath in's mouth, smoaking his nostrills;
And soe of all—

King.
How can this glasse be made?

Andru.
Th'ingredients are somewhat hard to come by.
Stay! lett mee see—An ownce of Honestie,
Cleare, Pure, well vitreated; with a dram or two
Of Libertie, when the Signe is in Libra;
With a few Braines—But whos'? A Lawers? noe
They are too turbulent. A Poets? they
Were fittest, but they are poore, and soone corrupted:
Money do's much with 'em. A Diuines? Vmh—
There is noe President for't, besids preferment
Stands y' the way. A plaine blunt Swobbers wo'd,
If hee had Witt enough. But—we want a Skull
To make this Composition.

King.
I beleeue thee.

Andru.
Such as did liue when the Tymes durst be lookt into
And then spoke Truth, and dyed in't.

Clep.
A shroud fellow!
Hee shoots at all, and beats about the marke still.

King.
I loue Andrucho—

Andru.
I doe thanke your Maiestie.

King.
To heare thee talke, man.

Andru.
Wo'd it had bene otherwise.

King.
Prithe, barke still, good Dog.

Andru.
At whome?

King.
At any bodie.

Andru.
I cannot much condemne the Tymes: alas!
Why, euery one must liue. Heere are two gentlemen
[Pointing at Iseas and Asprandus].
That can obserue who rises, and who falls;
Which should be flatter'd most, I pray, the faller?
Ther's an necessitie they must doe one,
Can a poore Courtier liue elce? Alas, noe.
Why, I my selfe, a graue man, play the Buffone,
To make you merry heere; is't not because
I find a sweetnes in't? Wee all must liue.
And ther's a whelp [points at Alcidonus]
wo'd haue a Marybone,
And the old dog do's keepe him from't; tis pittie;
Sure, hee wo'd find much pleasure in't. [To Antharis]
My lord,
I am but knowne to you from the teeth outward.

Antha.
Yes, I doe know a knauish tougne y' your head.

Andru.
Ah! you are bitten, I ha' found it out now;
I'le lay a Plaister on't. Cannot I talke
Of soothing and base actions, but you must
Apply 'em all to your selfe? If I had said,
You had abus'd the King, ransackt the Country,
And for your priuate ends hated all those
That (for their loue to Good) crost your Designes;
Or told yee, that you wrong the Princes honor,
In making your Crimes, his; his Vertues, yours:
This wo'd ha' bitt indeed.

Antha.
I'le breake thy Pate,
Thou bawling Curr—

All.
Ha, ha, ha.

Andru.
The old man's angrie.

King.
[to Arioldus].
Cousin, Antharis is displeas'd; let's in;
And after Ceremonies for the Victorie,
A full Reward shall follow the Deseruer,
Which thy free hand shall giue. But who can value
Or sett a Rate on thine?

Ariol.
Your Noblenes
Doth farr transend it.

Exeunt [KING, PANOPIA, SELINA, ARIOLDVS].
Antha.
[to Alcidonus].
Nay, come you with mee, Sir.

Alci.
[aside].
I shall begin to quitt the name of Dutie,
And thinke, because this is vnnaturall,
That I may bee soe too.

Exeunt [ANTHARIS, ALCIDONVS].
Aspra.
You, Swadd! Andrucho!
Wee wo'd speake wi' yee.

Andru.
What sayes my Lip-ladds?
My little Time-lings?

Ise.
You are still abusing vs.

Aspra.
Before the King, too. Art thou not affraid?

Andru.
Of what, my paire of Creepers?

Ise.
Of a Beating.

Andru.
Yes. As you feare soft lips, or a smooth skin,
Yee nigling Ticks you; why 'tis our professions.

Aspra.
What, Bumbard?

Andru.
To obserue the tyme, yee wriglers.
There is an ytching height that all do ayme at,
But diuers wayes to come to't. Some by Bribes,
Some by fine Plotts and tricks gett vp; and others
Striue till they haue spent all and neuer reach it;
Some haue a way by fooling, some by flatterie;
Some both, or worse, 'tis no disparragement:
Custome in follies doth not make 'em faults.
Alas! wee liue not now in the Worlds Infancie,
When no man could be crown'd with Honors Garland
But he must passe through Vertues Temple first.
Wee haue a thousand wayes now: Tymes do alter.

Ise.
True, but to ieast so broadly—

Andru.
I sho'd loose
My way of fooling elce.

Aspra.
Well, th'art a Rogue!
But, prithe, vse vs well.

Andru.
I will, I will.

Ise.
When didst thou see Timentes, the late Generall?

Andru.
Not lately.

Ise.
Now his humor's quite discouer'd.

Andru.
What!

Aspra.
Hee's so fearefull that the wind doth fright him,
The Creaking of a shoe or any noise,
Nay, his owne Pace; his shadow is so troublesome
That he oft starts at it, and thinks it speaks to him.

Andru.
Lett's find him out, and ease our Spleenes vpon him.

Exeunt.

SCÆNA SECVNDA

[The same]
[Enter] TIMENTES.
Tim.
Who's there? Here's no body. Why am I so fearefull?
I dare scarce be alone, nor yett in Companye.
What's that?—O—'tis a mouse behind the hanging.
And shall such small things fright thee? Fie, Timentes!
Where is that noble forwardnes made the King
Thinke thee sufficient to command an Army?
Is it quite gon? I'le raise it vp agen,
To stop the mouthes of those yt dare but say
Thou art not Valiant—I hope heer's no body heares mee,
I am not Quarrellsome. O—O—the King!
'Tis as I wisht.

[Enter KING.]
King.
How now,thou peece of Cruditie,
Thou bog of Man, are thy feares still in motion?

Tim.
Yes, Sir, that I shall neuer find him out,
That hath traduc't mee to yee: I am bold enough
To doe you seruice: I can tell, but—

King.
What?

Tim.
I can discouer—

King.
Whome? thy feares infect mee.

Tim.
Nay, ther's no danger in't. The dainti'st Wench!

King.
Where?

Tim.
Arioldus hath her. But you'le think
I do it out of Mallice: I protest—
It is the sweetest Soule! O, sh'as an Eye
That like a Subtile peircing lightning strikes
The inside, and leaues all the rest vntoutcht.

King.
It seemes the Diuell Feare giues way awhile
Vnto the Diuell Lust. You'de faine be at her.

Tim.
Alas, not I; I do but tell your Maiesty.

King.
Is shee so young and fresh?

Tim.
Of tender yeares:
And such a feature—

King.
I will see this Paragon.
Are you so close, Arioldus? I may hap
To find your Maze out, my Dedalean kinsman.
But are you sure of this?

Tim.
Haue I my Eyes?
And are they not still waking for your Seruice?
Hee tooke her Captiue, and shee is a Peece
Fitt for a Prince.

King.
Nay, I'le not hinder him.
But—not a word of this more.

Tim.
I am dumbe, Sir.

Exeunt.

SCÆNA TERTIA

[A Room in the House of Arioldus.]
ARIOLDVS, EVRINIA.
Ariol.
You need no Ransome, Faire One: Such a Captiue
Will take the Conqueror. But since your will is
To liue conceal'd heere, till a Ransome comes,
You shall make mee, and Myne, Yours.

Euri.
Noblest Lord,
How weake is womans Power, that she must frame
Her words to Rules, and all her actions to
The line of Censure? I can hardly liue heere
Without Reproch; yet, if my life bee honorable,
And you esteeme it soe, I value not
That loose Fame can report, while so much Vertue
As yours protects mee.

Ariol.
Deare Eurinia,
I'le keepe thee chary as myne Eyes; no Clouds
Shall threaten thee, but I will make 'em breake
Into repentant drops. I loue thy Vertue,
Thy gentle modestnes, thy meekenes, Sweetness.
Prithee, bedewe those pritty cheekes no more,
Least the Virmilion be afraid to looke
Vpon thy teares; which, yet, do serue for a foile
To those pure Christalls.

Euri.
I haue cause, my lord,
If you knew all.

Ariol.
I'le beare a part with thee;
Throw all the Burthen of thy Cares on mee.
What is't that troubles thee?

Euri.
I ha' lost my father;
Nay more, my selfe!

Ariol.
How dearest? Let thy words
Haue freedome to thy hart, that they may stop
The currant of thyne Eyes. Come, speake it out—
Greifs lessen by discouerie.

Euri.
My fortune,
Though now deiected, can deriue it selfe
From Noble Ancestors.

Ariol.
Thy Vertues speake it.

Euri.
But loue that poisons all our Happines,
Prepar'd a Cup for mee. I lou'd a Gentleman,
Of highest Ranke, and yet his Noblenes
Was farr aboue his Quallitie. I seru'd him
In habitt of a Boy, onely to gaze
Vpon his Eyes, for there me thought ther dwelt
A heauen of Blessings. I did pine away,
For hee, good man, ne're vnderstood my Sighs;
And might haue dyed vnpittied, if some freinds,
With violent perswassions, had not wrought mee
To reassume my Shape. And ere my suffrings
Could be reueal'd, I did become your Captiue.

Ariol.
But where's that happie man?

Euri.
I thinke hee liues,
But hee is lost to mee.

Ariol.
Wee'le find him out.
Deare, lett mee know his name.

Euri.
Noe! ere my tougne
Shall proue so great a traitor to my Breast,
My greifs shall find a graue.

Ariol.
Truly, faire Virgin,
Thy Story's full of Pitty. Thou shalt haue
What freedome thou canst wish, if that will please thee,
To come to thy Desires.

Euri.
I find no Bondage
But what I bring with mee.

[Enter] KING.
King.
Now, Arioldus!
I am too sawcy with your priuacies.

Ariol.
Sir, you do take mee somewhat a' the soudaine.

King.
You haue a faire one heere—a Beauty of Price.

Ariol.
I neuer askt how much, but I doe prize it,
When it comes clad with Vertue.

King.
Oh! you value
The Vertue, then; I'le venture on the Beauty— (He kisses her).

And 'tis a pretious one. Sure, I haue seene
A hansome frame like this. Was this a Captiue?
Exit EVRINIA.
What! is shee gon? Cousin, you are so close
To keepe all for your selfe.

Ariol.
Great Sir, the Duty
Which I reserue for you, wo'd be suspected,
If my faith should be branded with Discurtesie
To Captiues, or to strangers.

King.
Why, your faith?

Ariol.
My Promise, Royall Sir, to gard her Honor:
And I doe hold it sacred as the Rites
Religion binds vs toe.

King.
O, you're in loue then.

Ariol.
I'me Charitable, Sir. There is a Pitty
Due to her suffrings, and I loue to assist
Those that are in distresse.

King.
A Pritty way
To keepe a wench: you do't in Charity.

Ariol.
I know not what you meane, or if I did,
I wo'd not think it, for you are my King.

King.
Arioldus! I must haue this wench.

Ariol.
If shee
Puts her deare Innocence into my hands,
I'le keepe it blameles, though my Blood besprinkles't.

King.
Are you so Valliant?

Ariol.
Justice, Royall Sir,
Is euer confident. Shall I betray
My guest, which by all hospitable Bonds
I'me bound to keepe, vniniur'd? Such a guest!
A tender Virgin, beaten by the rage
Of a most violent fortune to take shelter
Vnder my wing? And shall shee be snacht thence,
Against her will, pluckt from mee? O, my tamenes.
When thou dost hood thy selfe at such a sight,
Maist thou ne're looke abroad more! Were there dangers,
Heauy, and waighty ones, coming vpon mee,
And I their Center, I wo'd beare 'em all,
Rather then suffer it.

King.
You show your loue
To her, but not to mee; a strangers power
Preuailes aboue myne. I had thought, Arioldus,
My fauors had bene better plact; this suits not
With your large protestations.

Ariol.
Yes, aswell
As your faire promises, when to my greife
I left the quiet of a life, this Breast
Shall ne're inioy agen; your words desolu'd mee,
Supled my stubborne hart, then; nay, I feele
The opperation yet. Would myne wo'd worke
The like effects on you! Command mee something
That honor may make way to, and I'le signe
Th'assurance with my Blood; but thus to serue you
Ignobles both.

King.
Faith, lett mee haue her Cusse,
I'le pleasure thee another tyme; 'tis nothing;
You may aswell do't! I'le not be vnthankful.

Ariol.
O whether wilt thou lead mee, Passion!
If I should giue thee raine? Wild Sauages
Whose burnt veines swell with the Meridian heat,
Hold better temper. I am almost lost,
Lost to Religion, Reason, all good men;
Encompasse mee, some gardian Power, that I
May sooner lep into a Sea of Ice,
To quench myne Anger, then my Rebell hand
Should strike at Maiestie! You find what Power
You haue in mee, Sir.

King.
I'le not dally longer;
Shee shall go wi' mee.

Ariol.
You must come through mee first;
Make this your way, I'le not resist; and when
This Bulworke is throwne downe, her Innocence
Will raise a thousand more, which all the lust
You can imploy shall neuer rase.

King.
You wrong mee,
And falcely toe: I loue the maid. Stand by,
There is no other way to shun myne Anger;
For you may sooner calme the incensed waues,
When the rude winds breake loose, or striue with Heauen,
When a Prodigious Comett houers o're yee
That threatens Ruine: I haue lost my temper;
Dally not with my vengeance; by the Soule
Of her thou louest most, I will come through thee elce—

[Draws.]
Ariol.
I feare yee not.

King.
[making a pass at Arioldus].
Haue att thee then—

[Enter] EVRINIA.
Euri.
[to the King].
O hold, Sir—
[To Ariol.]
Noble Arioldus! [To the King.]
Royall Sir! fixe heere
Your hungry sword; lett a poore Virgins teares
Calme this lowd Tempest. [To Ariol.]
'Twas vnkindly done
To venture so for mee— [To the King].
My Lord! My Lord!
Are his braue actions, which are bleeding fresh
In Euery Memory, quite lost in yours?
O, it wo'd breake a hart of flint, to thinke
That asmuch Valor as a Man can boast of
Submitts it selfe to blowes. See, how hee stands
Struck with your anger; where wee do expect
A freindship, there a frowne doth strike the Soule
No steele can wound worse; you haue peirct a hart,
With your vnkindnes, that was truly yours:
Heale it agen, great Sir.

King.
Faire maid, I loue thee.
Those Eyes of thine cal'd vp this anger in mee;
Thy beauty best becomes a Royall Court.
I haue a Sister there will vse thee nobly;
Come thou with mee, I promise thee all honor.

Euri.
I am his Captiue, Sir— (Aside)
O wretched Maid,
Crost in thy fortunes still! If I refuse him,
Thee king is Irefull, and I pull a Death
Certaine as fate vpon my noble Freind;
And If I goe with him, then all my Suffrings
Are to begin agen. What shall I doe—
[To Arioldus.]
Will you goe too?

Ariol.
Where you please, for my life
Onely attends your safetie.

Euri.
Then I'le goe,
Though much against my Mind. O mightye Sir,
How can you looke vpon such Noblenes,
But with an Eye of Goodnes? Wee'le go wi' yee;
Lett all strife end heere.

King.
Cousin—

Ariol.
O my Lord—

King.
No more! Wee shalbee dearer by this Discorde.

Exeunt Omnes.