 | The Swisser |  |
5
ACTVS PRIMVS
SCÆNA PRIMA
[In the Neighbourhood of Pavia.]Enter two SOVLDIERS running. ANDRVCHO meetes them.
1[tt Soldier.]
All's lost! the day is lost! the Enemie
Persues with winged speed.
2[nd Sold.].
Lett's seeke for safetie!
Exeunt.
Andru.
Then run out of your selues, for while yee carry
That trembling Coward (feare) along with yee,
It is the greater Enemie.
Enter 2 SOVLDIERS more.
6
The Cannon—
Andru.
Bounce!
3[rd Sold.].
And the Carriages—
Andru.
Your nimble leggs!
3[rd Sold.].
Are all possest by th'Enemie.
Andru.
You lye,
For you are running from 'em.
4[th Sold.].
Where's the Generall?
Exeunt.
Andru.
Sick a' the same disease! The running gout
Be your good speed, or running Pox. What wildnes
Clad in a Sheepskin-feare doth scatter thus
This flock of fooles? It is lesse difficult
To recollect the leaues, that Autumne stormes
Haue shatter'd from their Bowghs, and make 'em grow
To a fresh strength, then bring to any Head
This now diuided Multitude.
Enter ISEAS.
Ise.
Andrucho!
Shift for thy selfe; the Generall's left the feild.
Andru.
It is a generall fault: soe you doe all.
But Iseas! Iseas! prithe, if thy Bloud
Be not all quick siluer, lett mee stop thee. Why
In name of Madnes hast yee so? The Enemie
Is not within a League, and wee are now
Closse by the Cittie walls! Lett's breath awhile—
What think'st thou of my lord the Generall?
Is't not a prittie, hansome, fine, soft youth,
In a faire ladies Chamber?
7
Faith, Andrucho,
I ha' no mind to be whipt yett.
Andru.
There's a freedome
That's giuen to fooles and Madmen, and they may
Speake truth without exception: do'st thou not
Perticipate of one of those?
Ise.
Ye, Mongrill,
Because the King and Generall giue you leaue
To snarle before them you will snap at mee, now.
Andru.
Come, come, the world's compos'd of nothing elce,
But fooles and Madmen; search the volume of it,
Turne most mens Actions ouer, and who finds 'em
Free from that Antique Character, deserues
To bee inrol'd himselfe. Ha, ha, he!
Ise.
Why dost thou laugh?
Andru.
At the strange Changes, Sirha,
In the World's Measure. Fortunes wheele runs round,
Now vp, now downe; now like a curst wife, readie
To strike her husband, and then presently,
Humbles her selfe to 's man. We put a glosse
On our Deformities, like a painted baud,
And are not what wee seeme; all are disguiz'd,
And each man rather represents what's fitt
He should bee, then what Really hee is.
Take the seuere and sterne Judge from the Bench,
And he'le lay by his grauitie with his gowne;
The faire and mistique Modestie that dwells
In female out side, is but borrowed forme;
8
But by that splendor from its slaues? 'tis hard
To know a knight from a begger, or a Bankrupt
From a Rich marchant.
Ise.
How can this be helpt?
Andru.
Is there no way to vncase the Hypocrite?
Why euery Nation's knowne by's clothes—I am
A Switzer.
Ise.
But how honest—
Andru.
True! that wo'd be knowne,
But 'tis impossible, man is not made
Of Christall, to be lookt through; therefore who trusts
Vpon his worlds vncertaineties, must needs
Be fooles, or Madmen; and who do's not soe?
Why should you take exceptions then? but stay—
The King and Generall—
[Enter] KING, TIMENTES, ANTHARIS, CLEPHIS, ASPRANDVS, Gard.
King.
Lett the scatter'd troopes
Be putt in order, and our gards redoubled.
Beaten thus basely! shall the warlike Lombards,
That haue not onely aw'd proud Italye,
But all the Neighboring World, now turne their backs
To the Raueneans, a contemned People?
[To Asprandus].
See that the Scouts vpon the least aproach
Bring vs intelligence.
[Exit ASPRANDVS].
[To Timentes].
What aduantage gain'd they
That you were broken thus?
9
(speakes fearefully).
The battailes ioyning—
Our wings aduanct—
Andru.
And flew away.
Tim.
But being—
Opprest with multitudes—
Andru.
Of Feares.
Tim.
Retir'd—
In this disorder—
Andru.
Hee's not yett recouer'd.
[To the King].
My lord the King! the Enemie! the Enemie!
King.
Where? how farr of?
Andru.
Heere, by the Generalls speach,
Heere at our backs; how could his feares be fresh elce?
King.
Barke not, good Bandog, 'tis not tyme to bite now;
Wee are more serious.
Tim.
[to Andrucho].
Sira, I'le musle yee.
Andru.
Get naked Truth a coate, doe! Had I come
With the smooth tougne of oyly flattery.
And prais'd his lordships valor; how hee stood
The shock of the feirce foe, till Numbers, rather
Then Noblenes did gett the day; or laid
The imputation on the Starrs that were not
Propitious, I should perhapps haue gain'd
The next Command. Vice is vnconfident;
Her face must be dawb'd ore. [To Timentes]
My lord, you are Valiant—
King.
Take this foole-hardy fellow hence.
Anth.
[to Andrucho].
Away—
10
Andru.
For a Courtier.
But a good honest plaine blunt Souldier
May speake his mind. This peece of Rottennes
(Scarce sound at Hart) is now the cheifest Pile
The king doth build on; we are like to thriue well!
(Antharis whispers with ye king).
O how the serpents wriggles into's breast!
So so, spitt out thy venome there! How finely
Are those that listen vnto flatterie,
Tickled to their distruction?
Ise.
Peace, good waspe—
Andru.
Not while I haue a stinge.
Ise.
Sfoot, I wonder
How thou darest speake so boldly; if such words
Should scape my tougne, I sho'd be made to swollow 'em,
Spight a' my teeth.
Andru.
I think so too; for may
The Asse be so familiar with his master,
As the neat Greyhound?
Ise.
You will still be pinching.
Andru.
Yes! for heere's game enough—
Anth.
[to the King].
'Tis Chance, my leige,
In warr beares cheifest sway; lett him againe
Venture abroad: new howers begett new fortunes.
King.
It shall be so! Timentes, thou shalt trie
Once more what fate will doe, and on her wings
Build our vncertaine hopes. The Virgins shall
11
With prayers, and sighs, shall heaue 'em vp, vntill
They houer ouer thee; while the sad edge
Of their eternall Destinie shall turne
Vpon our foes. Be not discouraged,
Thou hast our fauor still.
Tim.
Then arm'd with that,
I Will proceed as boldly through danger
As that great Macedonian, when his fortune
Bred an oppinion in him, that hee was
Descended from the Gods. 'Tis not Men, now,
Or Numbers that I value; wo'd there were
Some Powers aboue Men to incounter with,
That I might make my Valor speake my fortune,
More then my fortune, that. The Souldiers bloods
Burne with Reuenge, and I am all a flame;
Myne Eyes shall now dart lightning, and my tougne
Speake thunder to 'em: what this Arme shall doe!
Fames trumpett shall put Enuies spight to silence.
Me thinkes I feele the Body sturr, and call
For some braue head to lead them on.
Antha.
Well spoken.
Andru.
I wo'd it were as well done. Who wo'd thinke
This fellow were not Valiant? Heer's the Signe
Of Hercules, but some poore female Spirit
Inhabitts it. O how the Man wo'd walke
Without a soule, if hee should vent his Valor
In action, not in words!
12
Lett vs aduance
To meet this proud foe. Now their Ruine falls
Heauy, and greiuous, when it comes in midst
Of all their Triumphs: And the Parcœ shall
Wonder what Power doth antidate, what they
Wo'd lengthen out.
Andru.
Oh! they are dead alreadie!
Ise.
Wee shall not neede to fight.
King.
All my best wishes
Shall goe along with thee.
Clep.
[to the King].
You are my Soueraigne!
And lett not wild Opinion sway your Judgement.
I speake as if I ment to loose a life
To giue you Beeing. I co'd neuer sooth!
And Councell crosse to Princes oft rebounds,
And strikes those men that aym'd it; y'had a father
That cherisht Vertue—
King.
Whether tends this bouldnes?
Clep.
To tell yee, that you haue distroid the strength,
And saftie of your Kingdome; buried aliue
Those that knew how to act, more then to speake;
Banisht the Prime of your Nobillitie;
Through Discontents made 'em retire, and rais'd
Such as dare onely fight in words. How can
Your Armies thriue? The Souldiers are growne hartles,
And where there is a Spirit, 'tis vented out
In such strange murmurings as might corrupt
The best obedience. This I am bound to tell yee.
13
[aside].
And nobly spoken!
Clep.
[to Timentes].
Nay, Sir, neuer stare!
Wo'd you durst venture on the foe as boldly
As I dare speake truth!
King.
You presume to much
Vpon our Patience.
Clep.
Sir, my zeale for you
Is the strong motiue. If you meane to bury
The memorie of your braue Ancestors
In black Obliuion, send this fellow forth.
But if you striue to add vnto the height
Of all their glories, lett your fauors shine
Vpon Arioldus, whome your angry frownes
Haue driuen to a priuate life; ther's a sparke hidd
In the cold asshes of Neglect: hee knowes
How to command an hoast abroad, aswell
As to obay at home.
Andru.
[aside].
How I co'd hug thee
Thou good old man!
Clep.
Fortune that crownes your actions
Will neuer bring a Garland to your Vertues,
By such weake meanes as that.
King.
Now I haue heard yee,
And find a crosse opinion to my will
Hath, onely, lett your tougne loose. Who am I?
Am I your king? Why thus controul'd? how dare you
Venture vpon my anger? Who is here
Mutters a word more?
14
[aside].
I must steale away
I shall burst out elce.
Exit. ANDRV.
King.
Euery priuate man
Is master of his famely, and there
Commands, and is obay'd: are Princes tyed
To strickter Rules? There is no Difference
As, being men, wee are one Species,
And that which onely makes vs kings, is Power:
And will yee tye vp that? I haue not found
Myne anger yett: be dumb or—
[Reenter] ASPRANDVS.
What's ye newes?
Aspr.
The Enemie with speed marches this way,
And throwes his feares before him, which do seaze
The benum'd Sences of the Multitude,
So that it conquers more then slaughter can.
King.
They shalbe stopt; wee'le meet 'em.
Aspra.
But the Souldiers,
Busied with feare that the now Generall
Should lead them on, more then the Enemies fortune,
(As if they had one mouth) call for Arioldus,
Braue Arioldus, and brand lord Timentes
With the base name of Cowardize; they vowe
Neuer to stirr a foot without Arioldus.
King.
Well! we will stay this outrage. Shall a swarme
Of slaues contemne our will? Antharis, see
The Cittie be well garded. Clephis age
15
Your speech hereafter. Come Timentes, wee
Will parlee with theise Roisters.
Exeunt.
Manent ANTHARIS, CLEPHIS.
Antha.
Yes, yes, Clephis,
Your Elloquence hath carried it, the King
Will fix on your aduice.
Clep.
I wo'd thy meaning,
Vnworthy lord, had no worse End then myne.
Antha.
If euer had a better (Dotard). Darest thou
Shape any thought whereby my anger may
Haue way to a reuenge?
Clep.
I feare thee not.
Lett guiltie men weare that pale liuerie
Vntill their Crimsen be lett out by Justice.
Do what thou darst! If Modestie restrain'd not,
And Age, the ground of all, I sho'd breake forth
In action: thou abusest a braue Prince
With base and seruile fawnings, pois'nest him,
With thy pernitious lipps, neuer leau'st licking
Till (like an Indian Ratt) thou hast deuour'd
The Bowells of his honor.
Antha.
And, I pray,
What is your ayme, but to crosse his designes
And curbe his Power? Which is the iuster course,
To yeild to, or oppose my Soueraigne?
But I do know your Pride; you must command.
16
Lookes on thy daughter with a louers Eye,
I'le pluck it out then—none of thy base breed
Shall euer close with myne.
Clep.
Thy insolence
Hath worne out all my Passion; I can laugh
At thy distempers, now. I hope thy sonne
Hath more of goodness in him then can come
From such a father; if hee did pertake
Of so much villanie, I'de ha' my daughter,
With all her maiden sweets, bound to the stench
Of some corrupted carcasse, till they both
Desolu'd one way, rather then match her soe.
Antha.
Out, Harpie, Viper, scum of Mankind!
Clep.
Doe!
Raue till thy foming breath infect the Ayre;
'Tis not thy priuate hate shall crosse my Care
Vnto the publike safetie.
Exit CLEP.
Antha.
I shall fitt yee.
Exit ANTHA.
SCÆNA SECVNDA
[A Room in the House of Arioldus.]Two SERVANTS bring in a table with bookes. ARIOLDVS followes.
Seru.
Come, come, dispatch, my lord wilbee heere presently.
Ariol.
Is the boy gon?
17
Hee is, my lord.
Ariol.
Hee tooke
His parting sadly, did hee not?
Seru.
Hee did.
Exit SERVANT.
Ariol.
Alas, poore youth! 'twas much against his mind
To leaue mee soe. ([Taking up his] Bookes.)
But theise are freinds indeed!
Heere we may see our selues depainted better
Then by reflexion; theise vncase the soule,
Rip vp the inward man, and there discouer
The various Humours, Passions, Indigences,
That do possesse vs. How are wee abus'd
By this smooth flattering outside, train'd along
Through the calme Pleasures of ye world, still climing,
And neuer looking downe? O Quietnes!
Thou Peacefull Paradize! Me thinks I stand
Vnshaken, on some loftie Pyramed,
And with my minds Eye see the world in motion.
What hurrying vp and downe, what paines, what Plots
For their vncertaine ends? How they doe swarme,
To raile, Colloge, whisper, betray, and All
In seuerall postures like so many Antiques,
Heere one a murdring, there another hanging:
And the Accuser, nay the Judge, as guiltie
As hee that suffers. Oh world, world!
I am aboue thee now.
Enter ANDRVCHO.
18
Noble Arioldus!
Happie in thy retirement.
Ariol.
Worthy Aribert!
Thou art (amongst a peruerse multitude)
An honest lord still. How doth this disguise
Shroud thy hard banishment?
Andru.
Why, well. The King
Minds not such vnderlings as I present now;
Besids, my haire is so o'regrowne, it hinders
Any suspect.
Ariol.
But how dost thou keepe in?
Andru.
By a free fooling, and wild Carriage,
I gaine vpon his humour; hee delights
To haue mee bite the World; calls mee his Bandogg;
And I doe lay about mee, ther's foule Matter
Enough to worke on, without forcing Nature.
Ariol.
To much, to much, my freind: And heere I liue
Out a' the World, yett in't. How mild and gentle
Lookes euery thing about mee? Ther's no feare
To fall beneath this; I am now without
The reach of fauor or disgrace.
Andru.
'Tis true.
But who is borne for himselfe? Tyme spreads his wings
Ouer our fates; we haue no lasting Beeing.
How small a thrid is life? Why should wee prize it?
'Tis better ventur'd for our Countries safetie,
Then spun out longer thus.
Ariol.
Right, Aribert.
19
That I doe Cocker thus; but since wee liue
Necessitated vnto Tyme, and Fate,
Which well we cannot change, lett vs liue Happie.
That is the Crowne Men toyle for. Who wo'd plod,
And breake their morning sleepes, watch at all howers,
Act any base and seruile Offices;
Cringe, fawne, and Creepe; nay, more then their good names,
Brand their black Consciences with horrid Crimes,
But to gett Riches, which they thinke their Happines?
The wily and smooth Orator wo'd be silent,
The Souldier fight no more, the Laborer
Sett at his ease, and bruised Mariner
By dangerous rocks ne're crosse the foming Maine
But to liue Happily: why should I toyle
For what I haue already? I enioy it.
Andru.
Yett Noblenes sho'd not obscure it selfe,
But show the World, that it dares stand ye brunt
Of the most threatning Danger.
Ariol.
This I grant too,
When in a free Scale euerie Action's waygh'd
And not by Priuate and rash Judgments censur'd
To their most Enuious Ends.
Andru.
Encounter with 'em.
Ariol.
Then I must vse their Weapon: Villanie.
Noe! I will sett and smile heere, lett the men
That doe desire to rise, learne to sooth Vice
And imitate Deformities; I'le beare
20
Which no rude storme shall threaten.
Andru.
But I'le push for't.
Before I'le ha' my name trod vnder foot
By such wild beasts, I'le wriggle hard to sting 'em.
I haue bene two yeares banisht, through the mallice
Of Parasits and Rogues; and poore Eugenia,
My onely daughter, (after long attempts
Vrg'd by the King against her Honor) coming
To find mee out, made euen account with Death.
Ariol.
Alas, good Ladie!
Andru.
I did thinke to visett
The Court but for a tyme, yet hardned now,
And confident, thus shapt, I may find out
Which are my Enemies. But I forgett—
This discourse hindred my entents; Timentes
Must try the fortune of another Battaile;
O 'tis a slack skind youth! The good lord Clephis
Mett the kings anger for yee.
Ariol.
Why for mee?
Andru.
He stood to haue you Generall.
Ariol.
Indeed,
Hee's truly Noble, but my thoughts are fixt
Within another Orbe.
[Enter] SERVANT.
Ser.
My lord, heer's Iseas
Desires to haue accesse.
21
I will withdrawe. [Andrucho goes behind the arras.]
[Enter] ISEAS.
Ise.
Worthyest of Lords, my Duty, which hath sought
Euer to Win vpon your Noblenes,
Commands my presence, to preuent your knowledge:
The King is coming hether.
Ariol.
Sir, I thanke yee.
Ise.
My seruices shall waite your lordships wishes.
Exit ISE.
[Reenter ANDRVCHO.]
Ariol.
What sho'd this meane?
Andru.
Some new deuice! (Knock [within.])
Agen!
[Enter SERVANT.]
Ser.
Here is Asprandus.
Ariol.
Lett him haue admittance.
[ANDRVCHO goes again behind the arras.]
[Enter] ASPRANDVS.
Aspra.
If my indeauors haue not laid their hopes
To grow at your feet, noblest Lord, it was
More through a want of meanes then will. I'me glad
To fixe on this occasion now; the Souldiers
Will haue no Generall but you; the King
Cannot remoue their Resolutions
Neither with threats nor Promises. The Seruice,
Which I haue euer vow'd you, shall hearafter
Show it selfe more officious to your Goodness.
22
I thanke ye, Sir.
Exit [ASPRANDVS].
[Reenter ANDRVCHO.]
Andru.
Were theise two fellowes heere,
Since your Retirement?
Ariol.
Neuer.
Andru.
O they glide
Still with the streame. Good Rogues! Theise are shroud simptomes
Of some new alteration by their Croking;
They flutter still about the Fauoritt,
Where they doe build their filthy nests, and lett him
Decline but ne're so little, they are gon
To the next riser.
[Enter SERVANT.]
Seru.
Heer's the lord Antharis.
Andru.
Hey day! hey day! more Rogues yett!
[Hides again behind the arras.]
[Enter] ANTHARIS.
Antha.
My lord,
That I haue euer honor'd you, my greife
For your retiring can bring silent prouffs;
Which I forbeare—
Andru.
(within).
Beleeue him not, hee lyes.
Antha.
And that I loue you, your owne Vertues may
Confirme it strongly, hauing alwayes found
Such Noblenes as would invite the best
23
Made the king know your worth; that worth yt euer
Did speake it selfe, lay buried in his Judgement,
Till I reuiu'd it; now it doth appeare
In its true lusture. Hee hath chose you Generall,
(By my aduice) against the present foe;
Be noble like your selfe. I come to tell yee
So, to prepare your thoughts.
Ariol.
What you haue said
Of Truth in my behalfe, my lord, I thanke yee;
But for the charge of Generall, 'tis a taske
Fitt for an abler man.
Antha.
None more deserues it.
This seruice I haue added to the many,
You haue, and shall command.
Exit ANTH.
Andru.
Oh! I co'd burst!
Plotts! Plotts! this Pollititian
Is caught in his owne noose. Hee moue the King!
What Villanie is this? The good wee haue
Must come from them, the Bad, the Prince must beare;
This is fine iuggling—
Ariol.
'Tis so, Aribert.
Who treads the Maze of the Tymes Laborynth
Shall find some doubtfull wayes; my hart presages
A fatall Yssue: I am loth to leaue
The Quiet of this life.
[Enter SERVANT.]
Seru.
The King, my lord.
24
Now, I must hide indeed.
Exit ANDRVCHO.
[Enter] KING, CLEPHIS, Attendants.
King.
Cousin, I see
Thy vertue, now, through all mens Eyes, and I
Must chide my selfe for being blind so long.
I come to rauish thee from the soft Bosome
Of thy blest Peace, to manage rugged Warr;
I must confesse it is the Souldiers Act;
Lett not that hold thee back, I wish it too.
Thy Country calls for't, and the brauing foe
Growes Confident, vpon our Backwardnes;
Thy Vertue must repell 'em. Doe not plead!
I know thou canst say much—I ha' bene vnkind—
Prithe forgiue mee.
Ariol.
If my Breast were Stone,
This Noblenes wo'd melt mee. You haue wonne
More by your goodnes, then your greatest Anger
Can e're distory. Were euerie haire a life,
They would be all to little to expresse
A gratitude for this.
King.
O noble Cousin—
Tyme is too quick with vs; wee must away,
The Enemie approaches fast.
Ariol.
Hee comes
But to his ruine. [To his Servant.]
Bring out my good Sword.
Is it not rustie? [To the King.]
O Sir, you haue putt
Fresh Power into mee; I ha' purg'd my selfe
25
To boast my Actions, I durst boldly tell yee,
The Enemie this day shall feele what Power
A Princes fauor can infuse into
A loyall Subiects breast.
King.
Goe, and bee happie!
Exeunt [all except CLEPHIS].
Clep.
A kingdome hath sound nerues when thus they agree.
Nothing doth strengthen more then Vnitie.
Exit.
Souldiers.
[within].
Arioldus! Arioldus! Arioldus!
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