 | The Faithful Friends |  |
96
Actus Quintus.
Scena prima/
Enter Learchus and Leontius, muffeld vpp in the're cloakes, and walke ouer the StageLear:
Ha, ha, ha,
Leon.
Why dost thou laugh Learchus
Lear
To see vs too walke thus like Saturnists
muffeld vpp in a condensed Cloude
why art thou sad Leontius
Leon.
Troth I know nott, why art thou mellancholly
Lear.
Hang mee if I can tell, oh now I remember
the King is discontented and wee Courtiers
are like the Macedonian Humorists
Cause Phillip had a wry necke, the wore the'rs soe
and said twas all the fashion, yet me thinkes
tis something more then strange
to see this sudden alteration
last night he was vnbounded, and profuse
in mirth and ioueltie, but lookes this morne
as if he had drunke Leathe
Ent Rufinus
Ruf.
Plotting still
You thinke to out doe me now in some rare springe
to catch this greene head Generall, but you shall not
nay you cannott, knowe braue Spiritts tis done
our stratagem has taken . rare effect
the peace is made, the Articles confirmd
the execution past and Tullius suncke
lower then pollicie can euer search
or plum the vnfadomd bottome,
what meanes this sylence, dos not yr glad harts
leape into yr bosome to heare this braue revenge
haue you thus farr mingled yor blouds with mine
and waded hand in hand through death and hell
97
Ambo
Repent
Ruf.
What then portends this sadnes
Lear.
Vnderstand it
Sawe you the king to day
Ruf.
No what succeeds yr question
Lear
hees wondrous discontented
Ruf
what of that
Leon
Thinke you he has not caught intelligence
of Tullius murder, or this faigned Truce
Ruf
Why say he haue do you shrinke or shuder at it
wee haue venterd too far in to retire nowe
but ile take of that doubt tis no such thinge
nether dos greefe or anger make him shoe
a wrinckled front or a deiected looke
tis rather too much ioy, surfett of pleasure
and those sweete, delights with which he has bin sated
this last night the armes of Philadelpha,
Tullius faire hord was made his Cradle
in wc h the Deuill and lust sat rocking him
Lear
Ist possible is Tullius mounted higher,
Ruf.
Yes on the Horne of greatnes,
Lear
ha, ha, ha,
Ruf
and being fixt perchance
in meditation of these sugard sinns
hee did not greatly minde yee theres his sadnes
but when wee come in presence you shall see
an other change of countenance, for I am
the scrued vpp Instrument whose taring [ba] braine
giues motion to his actions, sent to mee
Ent a Mess.
Mess
and all yr honors
the Senate sitts this morning instantly
the Kinge in person too, but for what cause
98
Exit Mess.
Ruf
Tis a short summons, well wee shall attend him,
Lear
What thinkes Rufinus now,
Ruf
By Ioue, i'me pusseld
yet now to forge or studie for replies
would showe a shallowe braine
lett not our timerous guilt betray or selues
and scorne the worst euent, if wee must downe
lett vs like Cedars fall, and make an Earthquake
tumbling, that our fame, may liue to after ages
and our Acts, by all rare Pollititians be eternized,
tis nobler far then liue in such a state
where worth hath noe reward, meritt no grace
can Vertue spring where true regard is wanting
it tis impossible, thus ioyne wee then,
and lett our fates be like the Elements
so linkt and chaind, that none can breake the twine
yet now to forge or studie for replies
would showe a shallowe braine
lett not our timerous guilt betray or selues
and scorne the worst euent, if wee must downe
lett vs like Cedars fall, and make an Earthquake
tumbling, that our fame, may liue to after ages
and our Acts, by all rare Pollititians be eternized,
tis nobler far then liue in such a state
where worth hath noe reward, meritt no grace
can Vertue spring where true regard is wanting
it tis impossible, thus ioyne wee then,
and lett our fates be like the Elements
so linkt and chaind, that none can breake the twine
but they that twisted it, this knott me thinke
resembles iust the Trinall Sisterhood
that spun our thread of life, mak much ont then
before the destinies do winde it vpp
they shall haue many turnings
but when you see there is no remedie
lett one stroake deuide vs
resembles iust the Trinall Sisterhood
that spun our thread of life, mak much ont then
before the destinies do winde it vpp
they shall haue many turnings
but when you see there is no remedie
lett one stroake deuide vs
Cornetts a Lesson
Ambo
tis resolued
Ruf
The Senates coming fall into the Traine
[sc. ii.]
Enter 4. Senators Marcellanus, old Tullius and 2. others, Then Titus Martius with attendance, young Tullius in disguise amongst other Peticoners.Y. Tull.
I hope this habitts vndiscouerable,
in wc h as in a perspicle I shall see
99
King
Graue fathers
You in whose Wisdomes rest the states of Kings
whose prudent and discreete directions
vphold and gouerne all things next the Gods
to you I nowe appeale, and shall in breefe
declare the motiue that incited vs
to call this sudden Councell, I must first
confes my rashnes that without aduice
of yor sage Judgmt s and a generall voyce
wee made a Generall, thy sonne Tullius
and sent him forth without a full consent
against the Sabines that Invaded vs,
the error is acknowledged, yett my lords
the stronge necessitie Considered.
the feircenes of the Insurrection
and devastation wc h the Rebells vs'd
was cause sufficient for a present choyce
without deliberate Counsell
2 Sen.
Twas most fitt
Ruf.
A pollicie both good and requisite
King
Wee are excused for't then, but reuerend Senate
hauing since wayed by waightie circumstance
grounded on reason, that the oppinions
and seuerall Censures of the Comunaltie,
and some of our great Peers too may perchance
out of there ignorance rayse a mutinie
hauing since wayed by waightie circumstance
grounded on reason, that the oppinions
and seuerall Censures of the Comunaltie,
and some of our great Peers too may perchance
out of there ignorance rayse a mutinie
that might in tyme worke a conspiracie,
against young Tullius
not being elected by a publique Voyce
for what they doe without malice moues,
but thousands envye where a King once loues,
these knowne examples, makes vs cautulous
of future dangers, therefore once more Lords
deliuer yr mindes freely, if you thinke
his youth or Iudgment, strength, or discipline
debillitate his person: or his birth
make him vnfitt to vndergoe a place
So eminent and powerfull, Call him home
chuse a more able more experienced man
that thirsts for such an honor, and let him
reuell at home here with his beautious bride
poore [sole] soule she has the most wrong, such a Warr
were farr more pleasing to a Courtier,
one soe compleate and young as Tullius is
and questionles heele thanke yee, now you heare
the cause of yr assemblie, speake yr thoughts
and lett yr harts and toungs so simpathize
that truth may write the Comments,
against young Tullius
not being elected by a publique Voyce
for what they doe without malice moues,
100
these knowne examples, makes vs cautulous
of future dangers, therefore once more Lords
deliuer yr mindes freely, if you thinke
his youth or Iudgment, strength, or discipline
debillitate his person: or his birth
make him vnfitt to vndergoe a place
So eminent and powerfull, Call him home
chuse a more able more experienced man
that thirsts for such an honor, and let him
reuell at home here with his beautious bride
poore [sole] soule she has the most wrong, such a Warr
were farr more pleasing to a Courtier,
one soe compleate and young as Tullius is
and questionles heele thanke yee, now you heare
the cause of yr assemblie, speake yr thoughts
and lett yr harts and toungs so simpathize
that truth may write the Comments,
ol: Tull
Royall Si r.
I humblie craue I may be pardoned
and Lycenst to suspend my censure yett
vntill that there opinions be all past
a fathers doome will be thought partiall
thoe the Gods record it
King
Vse yr will
Marcell
I beg like libertie, dread Soueraigne
wee twoe are equall sharers in his honors
twould ill beseeme vs to detract from him
King.
Shall one man speake for all then
omnes
Willingly
1. Sen.
And whome yr Mat i e shall please to call
his voyce shall giue a generall approbation
King
Rufinus you are hee then,
Ruf
I my liege,
101
Rufusall is in vayne weele haue it soe
Ruf
the most vnworthiest Creature
King
wrong not yr worth wee knowe yr merritts Sr
you haue done good seruice in the like affaires
and knowes best what belongs to'ot therefore speake
Ruf.
With pardon then I shall,
yr highnes might haue made a surer choyce
of an approued Souldier; but a man
more dareing and more valiant Rome containes not
for what a wants in yeares and discipline
his industrie and spirit countervales
hees milde and curteous to the people too
wc h is the chaine that ties the Souldiers harts
and Generalls together, last and cheefe
hees fortunate, crying as Cassius did
who being tost in a small boate at Sea
in a tempestuous storme, cheared vp the marriners
with on braue harts thinke not of feare
you beare mee and my fortunes
which showes that resolution is the crowne
of all a Souldiers honors, and brings in
a happie Conquest, all this Tullius has
no doubt neede to be made then of his worth
but that he still enioy it
omnes.
Tis confirmde
Lear.
Stand away, I preethee lett mee hug him
by this hand Leontius, the Deuills anouice to him
Y. Tull.
Im'e Swallowed in this Quicksand all my thoughts
agen are quite diverted, he speake thus.
King
Rufinus you haue giuen a noble Verdict
Wee are become yr debtor
Enter a Lictor
102
back there back keepe back
Ruf
What vprores that disturbes the Senate
Lictor
A [Camp] Captaine post from the Campe
King
Admitt him straight
[Ent Marcellus a captain«e»]
Lict
Yr Sword
Capt
No Sr tis kept for a farr better vse
then cut his masters throate,
Ruf.
A gaurd.
Capt.
Ten gards, there are some persons heare
ten Millions cannot shelter
1 Sen:
What meanes this
Capt
King, King, Senate
oh that I could speake to you in a tone
would drowne the voyce of Thunder that the sound
being echoed by this marble Capitall,
each Sillable were doubled in yr eares
or that you had more harts, for those weake strings
will cracke at the first sentence, Tullius is
omnes
What
Capt
Dead, dos that dampe you, he is murdered
omnes
Ha, murderd,
Y. Tul.
Now it begins to worke
Cap.
Yes murderd, butcherd, by most inhumane slaughter
Trecherie
old Tul
forgiue me Iupiter, when he said dead
I'de almost shed a Teare, but murder straight
causd fierie rage to drie it vp a gen
Marcell
The manner good Marcellus, or by whome
Capt
by Titus Martius
omnes
The Kinge
103
Yes [for an hower]/
King
Traytor.
Cap:
Tyrant, he, twas he graue Lords
that by damb'd faigned Articles of peace
conspird our Generalls ruine, to this truth
I heare giue vpp my bodie to more Torments
then can by man be thought on, and reioyce
to loose my life so meritoriously
as to discouer this black Trecherie
Ruf.
Beyond our Wishes publisht
King.
Villin thy death shalbe more terrible
then euer time could patterne
o: Tul
Except thine
of with these Roabes of peace and clemencye
and lett vs hoope our aged limbs with steele,
and studie tortures for this Tiranie
Cap:
Tis needles sr. Vengeance is neare at hand
Lord Marius and Armanus are [conioynde] [«***»se«*»d]
and vowe for there deare freinds vntimely fall.
to lay his Pallace Leuell with the Dust
and kill the Tyrant in the Capitall
in the verie Throne he has polluted soe,
Ruf.
Desperate Traytors, see you now dread Sir
this brood of Vipers, who can suffer this
Leontius and Learchus lets to Armes
giue vs .3. leaue my Leige, weele rayse such force
to gard Rome and yr person, that Marius
and Armanus shall as soone
graspe Lightning as but tuch a hayre of yee
Leon.
Excellent Villin, oh that wee were gon once
104
Stur not I doe intreate yee lett em come,
if I be guiltie of these practises
Lett mee with shame and horror suffer for't
theres the Arch wreath, thus wee disthrone our selfe
and as a priuate man will answere here
gainst all obiections; onely lett mee craue
Sabinus may besent for with all speede
who dreadles in his Articles may come
the Lawe of Armes dos warrant him
2 Sen.
See it done
Enter a Lictor
Lict.
Reuerent Lords
there is a Pilgrim [sent] from the Sabinets
that craues admittance intooth Capitoll,
King
Bring him with speede tooth Senate,
Ruf
on my life [so]
some strange confession of this stratagem
and penitent submission
Enter Sabinus in a Palmers habit
Sab:
The Gods of Rome protect yee
omnes
Ha, Sabinus
Sab.
Yes, doe you wonder, thoe a natiue loue
caus'd a Transgression, to regaine our owne,
wee nowe are Titus substitute and come
in peace, and dutie to acknowledge it
there is my warrant
King
for thy death dambd Rebell.
noe warrant nor no Articles of mine
from whome didst thou receaue it
Sab:
What matters that
suppose I haue forgott
theres thy owne hand to witnes it
King
Thou art deceaued Sabinus, Twas a tricke
to traine thee to the blocke, tis Counterfett
therefore if thou hast hope of any mercye
105
Sab.
I shall disclose yr plott if yu talke thus
King
Slaue what plott
Sab.
Young Tullius murder, the Caution Sir
of these sworne Articles, deliuerd mee
of these sworne Articles, deliuerd mee
by this cheefe Post mr. whome I haue brought
to testifie as much
to testifie as much
Ruf
Nowe wee are caught
hell and damnation, strike him dumbe foreuer
ol: Tul
From whome receiud you this,
Post mr.
Oh pardon
Ruf
Peace fearefull slaue
thou shalt not haue the glorie to pronounce it
twas from mee
Lear
Let vs haue parte ont thoe, twas [from] [«f**»ly] vs [three],
Ruf.
It tis confest giue sentence ha, ha, ha,
could you imagin Dotards that our spiritts
could brooke an vpstart, stripling to bee borne
vp to the Clouds, with pompe and wee reiected
but wee would checke yr peacocke
Senat
Lictors Seaze em.
Lear
Come come quick dispatch
nowe wee haue reacht the pitch of our desires
tis Hell to hold life longer
y. Tul.
In that Hell
Yr Conscience still torment yee
[on my knee I beg that for yr sentence]
omnes
Tullius,
Lear.
Death nowe were Heauen,
106
What Incantations this
ol. Tul.
a blessed metamorphosis
Marcell.
This Capitoll appeares a new Elizium
y. Tul.
Sacred Sr, Lett mee adore yr Goodnes
that are in all things so vnmatchable
King
Thy Vertues makes it soe, Rise Tullius
and be thy owne Iudge of these impious Crimes
y. Tul.
The Doome is past alredy if yr grace
and fauor will permitt it, the shall liue,
King
Liue Tullius
y. Tul
Yes deare Sr: there [owne] black
blouds cannot wash away [there] fact, tis so infectious
but there conscience may, tutcht with this
mercy purge [the sinne] away [the s«tain»e]
King
Thou still transcendst in goodnes, haue thy wishe
lett em still liue, but neuer neare the Court,
Ruf:
The farther thence the farther from my Pain
Parchd Africks desarts will more please, than Rome.
exit wt h Learchus & Leontius
Enter Philadelphia Marius Lelia etc
King:
Welcome to thy Husbands noble Tryumph
Where he has vanquishd his domestic Foes
As he has done his Countrys ffoes abroad.
Here Tullius take her worthy thy Virtues
And worthy the imperial seat of Rome
When thou shalt gain her Voices to be King
As I foresee thou wilt. Marius & Lælia too
107
Iv'e tryd you all & find you worthy Favour.
For whilst I reign on virtue will I smile
And Honour only with me stil prevail.
Finis
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