University of Virginia Library

SCÆNA PRIMA

[A Hall in the House of Arioldus.]
ARIOLDVS
meets EVRINIA with her haire about her eares.
What doe I see? Drop out myne Eyes! What Obiect
Strikes my afflicted Soule?

Euri.
The most black Story
That the worst times could e're produce. My Lord,
I am abus'd, dishonor'd, violated.
The King! The King!

Ariol.
Seaze mee some stupid Spirit,
That what I heare and see may passe vnsensibly
By my too prompt Imagination,
Least that the waight of it be greater then
My Reason well can beare. I dare not thinke
What I am loth to know.

Euri.
The King's a Ravisher!

Ariol.
Thy lookes do speake no lesse. O what am I
But a distracted peece of Earth? Where's now
The Moderation dull Philosophie
Soe much doth boast of? I am put to the triall,
And ther's no meane in this. This Spectacle
Wo'd make a frostie Patience glow, and burne,
Till it looks red with fury. None t'abuse,
But a poore innocent and Captiue Maid,
Tost in a sea of Suffrings.

Euri.
I am come
To take my leaue of you.

Ariol.
Indeed th'ast Reason;
For ther's more safety among Saluages
Then where such Lust raignes. Yett, I prythee, stay,
That thou maist see the ruines of thyne Honor
Repair'd by a Reuenge.

Euri.
No, I must goe
Where you shall neuer find mee more. Yett, pray,
Thinke sometyme of a litle Boy that seru'd you;
Did you ne're see him since?

Ariol.
Amazement strikes mee!

Euri.
'Twas I, my lord. I now am bold to tell you
What I had euer purpos'd to conceale;
I lou'd your Vertues, and I seru'd you truly.
Wo'd I had done so still; then had I ioy'd
In what I neuer more shall looke vpon!
But some freinds that I trusted, vrging often
What a Dishonor 'twas, neuer left working,
Till they had gott mee from you; but they lookt
Not with my Eyes, nor were their thoughts so harmeles;
For Heauen knowes all I wisht for was to bee
A seruant to your Goodnes. In the Battaile
(Where you were Victor) my Prayers still went wi' yee:
And when the Enemie fled, willing to heare
Th'assurance of your health, I ventur'd out,
And was seiz'd on by Souldiers, that did tell mee
I should to Lord Arioldus. None more willing
To be a Captiue there, I went with 'em,
And I was truly one. But now—

Ariol.
Speake still,
And I will stand a Liuing Statue, till
Thy suffrings make mee Marble.

Euri.
Now, farewell,
Farewell for euer. All that I desire
Is but your charitable Censure; for
I haue paid for my faults.

Ariol.
O giue mee tyme
To reckon vp my greifs. Heere stands a man
Exactly miserable! Was't not enough
To haue a stranger Virgin (whose deare innocence
Crau'd my protection) rauisht from my hands,
But it must proue a freind? A freind, that lou'd mee;
With such a Loue, too, as to sleight all dangers,
Fortune, or Mallice could deuise. Such Beauty
Obscur'd in seruile weeds! Where were my Eyes?
Haue I a curse to come that can exceede this?
If there bee, show it, fate.

Euri.
I shall but trouble yee,
To tarry longer.

Ariol.
Lett mee loose all sence
Of what thou suff'rest if I part from thee;
I'le loue thee yett; there is no Recompence
Can meet thy merrit elce.

Euri.
Oh no, my Lord;
Lett some vnspotted Virgin haue a Place
In your most noble thoughts; while I was soe
It was a blessing Heauen denyed mee. Now
I am too foule, some black and dismall Caue
Shall shroud mee from your Eyes.

Ariol.
Thy teares will do't
If thou continewst thus. I will mourne wi' thee,
And euery Sigh, and drop, like the quick Minutes,
Shall wast, and make our equall lines of life
(Plum'd with our waighty Sorrowes) find no Rest
Till they run out together. Doe not leaue mee!

Euri.
I know I shall but greiue your Noble Patience,
Which I am loth to doe.

Ariol.
Thou art to mee
The light of all my actions, and by thee
I shall see how to mannage my Reuenge.
Had I a hart as cold as feare could make it,
A hand as slow to Vengeance as thy wrongs
Are quick and crauing: theise disorder'd haires,
And theise sad teares wo'd print mee out a way.

Euri.
Oh, must I add a Murther to my faults?

Ariol.
A Justice, iniur'd maid, which I must execute
Against my Will. Wo'd my owne life wo'd serue!
I willingly wo'd pay it; but I must not,
That Tirant Honor sayes I must not: I
Cannot subsist, vnlesse I pull a cursse
Vpon my head, by Murdring of my King.
Is there a man more wretched? Oh Arioldus!
Thou art vpon the Rack now; beare it brauely.
I'le to him presently; hee sent to speake wi' mee
Just as I mett thee; I'le take this occation.
And when I haue by his sad fate giuen ease
To thy afflicted Hart, wee'le sett and count
Our heauy howers; that when Posteritie
Wo'd find a story that deserues a Pittie,
It may be cal'd Eurinias, or the Captiues.
And I will add some Legends of my owne
To make it more. [Calling.]
Who's there?
[Enter Seruant.]
Attend this ladie.
Exit EVRINIA.
I had forgott to aske her Parentage—
But I am all a sea, a sea of trouble!
Exit ARIOLDVS.