University of Virginia Library

ACTVS TERTIVS

SCÆNA PRIMA

[A Street, before the House of Clephis.]
[Enter] ALCIDONVS [and] BOY.
This is her Window! But the Infant Morne,
From Nights black wombe, appeares but now. Selina!
I feare to wake thee; thou more glorious Light,
Vp, from that Sphere, thy bed, and make the Day
The brighter by thyne Eyes. Begin the song, Boy.

SONGE

[SELINA appears above at a window.]
Seli.
Who's that? My Loue! Art thou gott loose?

Alci.
The tye
I haue to thee doth breake all other Bonds;
O lett mee breath my Soule into thyne armes!

Seli.
I can but onely wish thee heere; the meanes
For thy accesse is quite debar'd.

Clep.
(within).
Selina!

Seli.
My father calls—I'le meet thee the Ninth hower
Within the Garden groue—take all my Prayers—

Clep.
[within].
Selina!

Seli.
Yes, my lord— [to Alci.]
and my best wishes—
My dearest Loue— [to Clep.]
I come!—the Garden groue—

[With the last words, enter] TIMENTES.
Alci.
I will not faile thee. (Exit Selina)
Hart, thou art toe full,
To vtter thy affection.

Exit.
Tim.
Who is that?
This is some quarrell, sure; they haue appointed
A meeting in the Garden groue. This fighting
I doe not greatly like. My lord Antharis
Against my will did make mee Generall,
Onely to crosse Arioldus; I had no mind to't.
But I will striue against Nature, I shall grow
A pastime for the Boyes elce. Who is that?

[Enter] ANTHARIS.
Anth.
You are a fine Man! A gallant Souldier!

Tim.
I did tell you at first, that I should hardly
Indur't.

Anth.
For your owne Creditt
And mine, be not so hartlesse.

Tim.
I doe find,
My selfe a' changing, and to make it good,
I'le tell you of a quarrell.

Anth.
Where?

Tim.
Too gentlemen
Appointed meeting in the garden groue,
This morning at the ninth hower.

Anth.
'Tis my Duty
To intercept 'em, then. Come, will you aide mee?

Tim.
I haue some busines—

Anth.
Sett by all excuse,
For you shall goe; ther is no danger in't.

Tim.
No danger in fighting!

Anth.
I'le be your Protection;
You shall not need to feare 'em.

Tim.
Well!—I'le meet yee.

Anth.
Keepe the hower—
Exit ANTHARIS.

Tim.
Yes; neuer—catch mee parting of 'em,
And trusse mee vp for a wigen, and then spitt mee.
'Tis pritty hansome sport to see a mans gutts
Hanging about his heeles like Sausages.
Fry mee if I come nere 'em. Yett more trouble!

[Enter] ANDRVCHO, ASPRANDVS, ISEAS with SERVANTS and a Coffin.
Andru.
[whispers].
Are all things ready? Is the Coffin come?

Aspr.
[in a low voice].
It is.

Andru.
Aduance, then.

Altogether.
[to Timentes].
Oh, my Lord—

Tim.
What meane you?
Will yee beseidge mee, Gentlemen?

Andru.
Sir, our Duties
Calls vs to this; you were our Generall!

Iseas.
And wee are bound to tell yee.

Aspra.
Gard yee well, Sir,
Your life is sought for.

Tim.
Why, what haue I done?

Ise.
Ther's three or foure lay waite for yee.

Andru.
One a Souldier,
That had the gard of a fort; you cudgel'd him,
And cal'd him foole for holding out so long.
And then, you beat a drummer at the Alarum,
For keeping such a Noise.

Tim.
I ne're struck man yett.

Aspra.
Besids, some Courtiers, that say, you tell all
You heare, or see, to the King.

Ise.
Nay, the black gard toe,
Because you had a proiect to reduce 'em.

Tim.
Alas! 'twas but propos'd.

Andru.
Their rage is boyling,
And ruine comes vpon you like a Deluge,
Without a quick preuention.

Tim.
Gentlemen!
You are my freinds.

Altogether.
Wee are so.

Tim.
Giue mee Councell.

Andru.
The best I can aduise is to giue out
That you are dead.

Ise.
And that will bate their Mallice.

Aspra.
For who will thinke vpon Reuenge, the Subiect
Being ta'ne away?

Andru.
Then, when their Anger's past,
You may reuiue agen.

Ise.
Quickly! Resolue on't!
For they are coming hard by.

Tim.
Any thing—

Andru.
Goe buy a Coffin soudainely.

Aspra.
Heere is one!

Andru.
Euery thing falls out to your wish. Come—In!—

Tim.
Softly, good Gentlemen! Lett mee haue breath—

Andru.
Wee will not hurt yee. Soe—Where is the Epitaph?

EPITAPH
Coffin! though thou bee'st of Wood,
Thou art for our Generalls good;
And Honor 'tis to thee enough,
That hee is made of the same Stuffe.
A Block cutt out in shape, for showe,
With no more Spirit then made it goe;
So that it scarcly could bee sed,
Whether hee were aliue or Dead.
A walking Ghost there was, that staid
With vs a while; but now 'tis Laid.

Andru.
Pin't on. [In a low voice]
Begin your parts.

Ise.
[disguising his voice].
Wo'd we co'd find him!

Andru.
Who do you seeke for, Gentlemen?

Aspra.
[disguising his voice].
Timentes!
That was late Generall.

Andru.
What should hee doe?

Ise.
Our Angers should instruct our Swords a way
Vnto Reuenge, if wee could find him out.

Aspra.
No fortresse can protect him! Heap vp mountaines!
Sett Pelion vpon Ossa, and there place him:
The iustnes of our Cause wo'd fetch him downe,
Into the lowest depth.

Andru.
Alas, hee's low enough!
Hee's past your Angers, gentlemen; hee's dead.

Ise.
How, dead? Where is his Body?

Andru.
[pointing at the coffin].
Heere.

Aspra.
Wee'le burne it.
And with his asshes scoure our rusty blades
To make 'em bright agen; then shake his dust
Into the wind, till it outflies his feares.

Ise.
What's this?

Andru.
His Epitaph.

Aspra.
Heere lyes a Wooden Generall indeed.
Wee'le try if hee can swim; his body shall
To Sea with vs; a Sharke will shatter him.

Ise.
Or lett vs place him on some barren Rock,
Naked, for Eagles to pick out his Eyes.

Andru.
You are too cruell, and Humanitie
Tyes vs to see ther shall no iniurie
Be offred to the dead.

Aspra.
[whispers to Andru.]
Yee come of too soone.

Andru.
[whispers to Aspra.]
If wee proceede the apprehention
May strike him dead indeed; the Jeast is spoil'd then.
[Opens the coffin.]
Troth, hee lyes quietly, goodman! Hee's dead!

Ise.
How, 'tis impossible; lett's heaue him vp.

Aspra.
Rub him, and pinch him by the nose.

Andru.
Hee's cold.

Aspra.
Sffoot, we ha' fool'd it finely! Could his feares
Vsurpe his Spiritt so much?

Andru.
Your great words kil'd him.

Ise.
But see the stronge Power of th'Imagination,
How it doth tiranize?

Andru.
Pox a' Philosophie!
Wee shalbe all hang'd for experiment.

Aspra.
What shall wee doe?

Andru.
Conuay him hence; I'le instantly
To the king for Pardon for vs all.

Exit.
Ise.
Away!

Aspra.
Take vp this Body, Sirs. Wee'le sweare, and truly,
That hee dyed soudainely.

Ise.
Wee ha' made an Noose
For our owne Necks, and then where hangs the ieast?

Exeunt with the Coffin.

SCÆNA SECVNDA

[A Grove in a Garden.]
ALCIDONVS, SELINA.
Alci.
Now, my Selina, wee will score vp Summs
Of our embraces, and like Prodigalls
(In a full handed Happines) wast those ioyes,
That wo'd serue other Louers many Ages,
And yett to vs it shall not be profusenes.

Seli.
Our Parents Cruelty giues a sad Rellish
To our delights, my dearest Alcidonus.
How happy were this meeting elce?

Alci.
Wee'le stand
The shock of all their anger, thus inshrin'd;
And quick feares shall, like falce Orators,
Be dumbe and silent. What ther is of trouble,
That in our high, and ellemented Loues,
Causeth a trepidation, 'tis the sence
Onely doth suffer, while that purer Spirit
(Which is no part of it) with Doue-like wings
Mounteth aboue their Mallice. Wee were borne
Th'example of their Rigor, and wee'le beare it
With a strickt Patience.

Seli.
But, mee thinks, 'twere better
To lett 'em know the truth; the hand of Heauen,
And all the Ceremoniall Rites of loue,
Haue made an Vnion which they cannot seuer:
'Twill be discouer'd, and 'tis fitter wee
Should do't then others.

Alci.
True! If the sharpe edge
Of their inueterote Mallice were but blunted,
Which I will striue to doe: My fathers anger
Is like an Ouerflow, not to be stopt
Within the Banks, before its Rage be spent;
That were to turne the torrent on our selues.
But this extreame hate is like our affliction,
Too violent to last.

Seli.
Lett's make the best on't.

Alci.
Wee will, Selina, and in our stolne sweets,
Hord vp a treasure that shall ransome all
Our forepast miseries. Wee neede not Blush
When our lips meet; those are the marks of guilt,
And though feare borrowes 'em sometymes, 'tis but
To show how nere that's to it: Our free Soules
Shall not pertake of either. In theise Groues
Lett each day looke vpon our loues, and as
The Buds spring vp, so lett our ioyes grow stronge,
The better to indure the nipping Frosts
Of Seperation; Hymens torch well lighted
Can neuer be extinguisht but with Death.

[Enter] ANTHARIS, GARD.
Antha.
Tymentes has abus'd mee. I ha' bene
Stalking a good while heere and find no—
[Perceiving the lovers].
How?
Are you a Billing; I wilbee your Stickler
You too vntemper'd Vermin!

Alci.
Heare mee, Sir.
Heere are a paire of the most equall Harts
That euer gaue a Beeing to two Bodies;
Lett 'em not bee disioyn'd, wee humbly begg it,
Beg it vpon our knees. See how her teares,
In ouerflowing Silence, plead for her,
My prayers for mee.

Antha.
I must not heare him speake.
[To his Guard.]
Take him away!—Thou disobedient Varlett!
Lay hands on him!

Alci.
I will not bend my sword
Against you, Sir; but if theise handle mee,
It shalbe stiffe to them.

Antha.
Strike! Strike him downe!—
Rebellious knaue!

Alci.
I am not. Heere's my sword.
Your harshnes wounds mee more then can their weapons:
For as two young and neighboring Mirtells leane
By Naturall Simpathy, each to the other,
And so perticipate, no storme can rend one
But it is Death to both; such is your Anger.
O lett vs gently grow vp to be yours.

Antha.
I am not to bee mou'd.

[Enter] CLEPHIS.
Clep.
Ha Minion!
Haue I now found your haunte?

Alci.
Noble lord Clephis,
If you haue sence of Pitty, thinke what 'tis
To part vnited Soules; for as the Mind
Transcends the Body in her faculties,
So the distraction's more. Bee not you cruell, too—

Clep.
Beleeue mee, I doe loue thy generous Nature,
And I could wish thy father had a Vertue
Equall to thyne, that wee might meet your wishes.
But you see what hee is. Come hether, Girle;
Wer't not Antharis sonne, I should commend thee
For such a noble choise, and as hee is
I doe not much mislike it.

Antha.
But I doe, Sir.
Were shee a Serpent wrigling on the Earth,
And cold as it, I'de rather mingle Bloods
With such a one then any of thy yssue.

Clep.
Thy Mallice comes a'the same Broode, persue it.

Antha.
Yes, and I will. [To the Guard.]
Why stay yee? Take him hence!

Alci.
I shall forgett all Rules of Goodnes—Hold!

Antha.
I will not heare a word more—To his Chamber—

Alci.
This is aboue the height of Cruelty.

Exit Gard with ALCIDONVS.
Clep.
Come, wee'le away, too, Girle.

Antha.
Your Lordship may
Hang vp that peece for a signe and 't may bring custome.
Pray, lett mee see't with myne no more.

Clep.
Thou worse
Then wickednes can name, but yt I loath
To haue myne Anger fall on such a Wretch,
I now wo'd spitt thee dead; thou know'st my Blood,
Nobler then thine. I scorne to bragg, or Braule,
They suit too well with thee

Exeunt CLEPHIS, SELINA.
Antha.
Ha, ha, ha!
Well, I must take another course; this Busines
Shall not be carried thus. Who's that I pray?

[Enter] ASPRANDVS, ISEAS, SERVANTS with the Coffin.
Aspra.
The Lord Tymentes.

Antha.
How! the day is not
Thrice sixty minutes elder then it was,
When I last saw him.

Ise.
True! But now, hee's dead.

Antha.
By what strange meanes?

Aspra.
All his liues faculties
Were mastered by a soudaine fright.

Antha.
Is't possible?
Hee was my kinsman, and I stroue to sett him
In the Worlds Eye, but his feares made a Blemish,
Which blinded all his Vertues. I confesse
That my Ellection was not good, but fixt once,
My loue's as Constant as my Hate. I'le pay
My last Rites to him heere; sett downe ye Body.

[Kneels and opens the coffin.]
[Enter] ANDRVCHO.
Andru.
I ha' bene at the Court and ther's no admittance;
The king's in priuate, and the publicke Mouth
Giues out hee is in Loue. What Captiue's that
Hee had from Arioldus?

Ise.
I ne'er saw her.

Aspra.
What's to bee done then?

Andru.
Hang our selues for preuention;
For 'twill come out.

Aspra.
Then thy great Beard and Bulke
Will grace the Gallowes well.

Andru.
I shall take it Heauily;
But you two litle Pigmies will make light on't.

Ise.
Sfoot, 'tis no Jeasting matter.

Andru.
But it is
A Jeasting matter was the Cause on't.

Antha.
[to the body of Tim.]
Well!
I'le doe thee this last Right, since thou art gon,
That who soeuer caus'd this, with their Bloods
Shall Laue thy funerall Pile.

Andru.
[aside to the others].
Ther's Comfort yett.

Ise.
[aside].
Lett's shift our selues away.

Tim.
My lord Antharis—

Andru.
Pox a' your small pipe, are you squeaking?

Antha.
Gentlemen!
Am I to bee abus'd? [To Andru.]
This is your Plott,
Sir Liberall a' the Tougne,—I'le clip ye shorter.

TIMENTES rises out of ye Coffin.
Andru.
[pointing at Tim.]
Aske him, I pray.

Tim.
Where are they? Are they gon?

Antha.
Who?

Tim.
Heer's the Gentlemen that sau'd mee.

Andru.
[to Antha.]
Law yee now.

Tim.
I must confesse my life and safety onely
Depends on them.

Andru.
[to Antha.]
What thinke yee?

Tim.
A swarme of Villaines
Seaz'd on mee in the streets; some cry'd “Lett's burne him”,
Some “Hang him!”, and some “Drowne him!”; nay they had mee
Vp in their Armes to do't. Alas, I lay
In a Cold sweat; they pincht and tumbled mee;
But stirr I durst not, no, not breath[e]; I hop't now
Of nothing but the easiest way to dye,
Vntill I heard your voice.

Andru.
[aside].
Wee were fine fooles,
To thinke him dead!

Tim.
Andrucho spoke to 'em.

Andru.
Wee did our best, Sir.

Antha.
But what Rogues were theise?

Andru.
Some of the cast troopes. Wee had much a'doe!

Tim.
I know you had. My good freinds!

Antha.
This is strange:
Send search out after 'em.

Tim.
O by no meanes,
Lett 'em alone, ther's danger to recall 'em.

Andru.
There is indeed.

Antha.
Well, I must hence.

Tim:
I'le wi' yee.

Exeunt ANTHARIS TIMENTES.
Andru.
Pack vp your trumperie; if wee had gott a Pardon
For killing this liue foole, what had wee bene?

Aspra.
Why little better.

Ise.
But is't possible
Wee should be cousen'd thus?

Aspra.
Sfoot, I thinke
We wanted all our sences.

Andru.
'Tis but Justice,
Wee thought to fright him, and hee frightned vs.
I'le leaue of fooling now; it is high tyme
To bee more serious.

Aspra.
O how graue a' the Soudaine?

Exeunt.

SCÆNA TERTIA

[A Room in the King 's Palace.]
KING, EVRINIA.
King.
I lou'd a faire one once, whose fate to her
Was (as her Cruelty to mee) too violent:
Shee gon, thy likenes doth reuiue the Loue,
But lett her Cruelty dye with her, Eurinia.

Euri.
I shall be cruell to my selfe, great king,
If I obay you.

King.
Dry those fountaines vp
And lett the warme drops help to heat thy blood,
Which yett is all an Ice.

Euri.
I feele my self
In equall temper, Sir.

King.
Thou art more cold
Then frozen Scithians are, and yett thy touch
Is a hott flame to mee.

Euri.
O how my feares
Circle mee round!

King.
Those black and misty foggs
Shalbee expel'd; the splendor of my loue
Shall like a Radient Beame disperse those clouds,
While in my Sphere thou rulest, and there shalt shine,
The Glory of a Kingdome.

Euri.
This is full
Of trouble to mee.

King.
Why dost turne away?
Am I a Gorgon, sweet one? Or hath Age
Printed his hollow markes within my face?
Am I deform'd? The Dames of Lumbardie
Call vp their Rosie coulors to their cheekes,
When I but smile on 'em, to deck their Beauties.
Are you, Raueneans, Enemies to Loue
As well as vnto mee? 'Tis the men hate mee;
The women should be gentler.

Euri.
I loue Vertue,
Though in my greatest foe.

King.
'Tis next to follie
To take that word as 'tis corrupted now,
When euery child of feare shall be cal'd Vertuous,
That with ignoble suffring can oppose
A Passion, or affection. Then spitt on mee,
Vntill myne Anger boile, and lett mee beare it,
That you may thinke that Coward Patience Vertue.
Or lett mee vent my Loue in Sighs and Grones,
Till my rackt hart doth crack agen, and call that
A Vertue too; no! rather a tame Madnes.
Vertue is actiue, sprightly, full of fire,
Not dull and stupid. I wo'd faine perswade thee—

Euri.
To bee more vgly then the tougne of slander
Can add a name too, or the sence of sinne
In its true shape.

King.
Now, see how much you erre.
Heere is the want of Vertue, when you are
Transported thus with feare, to loose what you
Wo'd be loath long to keepe, if you were vrg'd to't;
How many wayes, tricks, wiles, deuices, plotts
Frame yee to those wisht Ends, when once you know 'em,
And blame your tardy Ignorance? This feare
Doth not become thee, banish it, Eurinia;
I'le teach thee how—

[Offers to kiss her.]
Euri.
Forbeare!

King.
How, Maid, so coy!

Euri.
Yes, Sir, although my Body be a Captiues,
And now in your Power, yett my mind shall neuer
Be slaue vnto your lust.

King.
Call it not soe.
I'me fruitfull in my loue; the springing flowers
Oprest with morning dew, loue not the cleare,
And comfortable Rayes of the Suns beames,
Dearer then I doe thee. O lett mee growe
For euer heere; my teares shalbe the showers,
And I will waite and wish for thy lou'd Eyes
To cherish mee.

Euri.
'Tis but in vaine to striue,
My loue is fixt already.

King.
Fixt! Where, pray?

Euri.
And 'tis no infant Loue, that like young Plants
May bee remou'd and sett in an new place,
But of Mature groth. I haue told my storie
To Lord Arioldus.

King.
Yes! and I haue heard it.
But can you bring my Reason to beleeue
That your no hopes there can hold Competition
With my high fauors? Your Pollicy
Wilbe discouer'd. Is it Monye time,
Or Emulation, Enuy, or Reuenge,
That now raignes in yee?

Euri.
What d'yee meane by those, Sir?

King.
Why, I haue heard you women haue those fitts,
And if you be ta'ne then, ther's noe Resistance.
Sometymes Ambitious, and then feed that humor,
One may haue any thing. Then, againe, Mallicious,
Second 'em there, you haue their harts. Sometimes
Soft language, and pale looks, with sighs and teares,
Doth win much on 'em. At another tyme,
A boistrous and rough Centaure will preuaile
More then a Cupid. What's thy humor now,
That I may meet it?

Euri.
'Tis to bee from hence.

King.
No, Maid, y'are fast enough; your freind Arioldus
Is shifted hence too; were hee heere, hee durst
Venture assoone vpon a Raging Tiger,
To steale away her young ones, as come nere thee.
'Twere better for him face a full swolne Cloud
And stand the thunder of it when it breakes,
Then looke vpon this sword: hee cannot help thee.

Euri.
[aside.]
Encompasse mee, myne innocence!
[To the King.]
Your looks
Begin to fright mee.

King.
'Tis to try Conclusions
I haue begun wi' yee in Loue; all offers
That might induce affection were not wanting;
And now my sighs are spent, my Promises
Take no effect; I'le try what force can doe.

Euri.
O heare mee, Sir! (Kneeling.)
What black and guilty Stories
Shall fill your Annalls? Will you haue Posterity
Record such wickednes, and with their Curses
Brand your foule Soule (for all the Crimes you act
Shalbee imputed thers)? You are a king,
And I a Captiue stranger; will not pittie
Moue your obdurate hart? Remember how
My coming hether greiu'd your Noble Kinsman,
And what a Conflict hee indur'd, betwixt
His Duty to his Prince, and promise past
To a distressed Maid: thinke but of that,
And for his sake—

King.
Yes, yes! I know it well,
You are Arioldus whore; that doth incense mee
The more against thee; I must sue for what
You prostitude to him. Am I lese worthy?
Suruay mee well, and if thou beest not blinder
Then a darke sighted Mole, such earthy thoughts
Will not possesse thee long.

Euri.
By all the Powers
That nourish goodnes, hee hath bene to mee
Onely a Refuge; and I loue his Vertue,
More then my life. Cutt mee in Peeces, Sir,
If you be angrie, exercise your Anger,
And wound mee, not myne Honor.

King.
I ha' bene
Baffel'd toe lately by a stubborne faire One,
Just such another as thou art: forsake mee
All that pertakes of Man, if thou escap'st.
I train'd thee purposely from Companie;
Heere's none to rescue thee.

Euri.
Yes, I haue hands,
And teeth and tougne shall fight for mee.

King.
Thy Cries
Cannot be heard, it is in vaine to striue,
Thou canst bring nothing to thee by this strugling
But more contempt.

Euri.
Yett heare mee once agen.
What will the Virgins think? What the graue Matrons?
What the sad Soules of your Progenitors,
When such black actions shall putt out the light
Of all your Vertues? And what horrid looks
Will such foule Crimes putt on to fright Repentance?

King.
This bates mee now as much as the warme west wind
Th'intemper of the torrid Zone; bid fire
To leaue his high and mounting Quallitie!
Or chide prompt Nature that hath taught my blood
Thus to rebell; but I'le not stand to talke— [seizes her.]


Euri.
Help, Help!

King.
[aside].
My watchword! Now they come! (Enter 2 or 3 [men] disguiz'd.)
Hands heere!

Euri.
[to the men].
For Heauen sake, help mee!

King.
Stop her mouth! Away!

Exeunt omnes.