 | The Partiall Law |  |
Actus Quintus.
Scena Prima.
Three Women, three Men.1. Man.
My friends, it is no laughing matter, nor ought we
be in our jollitye when our good King and all the Court are
so afflicted, and yet I am of your opinion too that we ought
to keepe our appointment, our Rendezvous, for else the
maydes would not take our words another time, and therefore
am I come hither along with you, onely to desire them
to have us excused for this time, and promise to make amends
another day.
2. Man.
I cannot gaynesay anything you have said, for you
are the greater clerke of the two. But yet methinkes it is
pitty to deceive the poore silly-soules, and see where like
honest wenches they stand expecting us.
3. Man.
I would it might have stood with the good liking of
the higher powers, our Lords and Counsellours, to have put off
this sad businesse till some other day, my mouth waters to
have one friske for all this.
97
There will be no feare of your miscarrying, though
you loose your longing. Well met, fayre maydes, I see you
are women of your words, and to the end we might appeare
as true as you, we are come, though onely to make our
appearance and bid you farewell.
1. Wom.
How so sir, I pray? what may the matter be that
hath thus marred our intended mirth.
1. Man.
The matter is shortly this, This is not a day for
revelling. The Princesse Florabella is this day to loose her
head.
2. Wom.
Her head! Marry God forefend: I hope you doe
but mocke.
2. Man.
He tells you true.
2. Wom.
For what, I pray?
2. Man.
For that, which had you all your dues, I am
afraid your's would not sit long upon your shoulders: for
loosing of her mayden-head.
3. Wom.
Why then, that head's lost already. Come, I see
they do but jeast with us, strike up, and let us loose no time.
1. Man.
Beleeve me, we are in too good earnest, and
therefore, by your leave, no dauncing this day, but fayrely fare
you well.
3. Wom.
Nay then by your leave Sir, we will not part so.
I'le see some thing surely for my comming abroad. I'le goe
along and see what passes.
2. Wom.
My heart will never give me to looke on so
pittious a spectacle. A Princesse loose her head for such a
trifle. Mine stands fast yet, and therefore I'le believe her's
may do so too, and in that hope I'le goe along.
3. Wom.
You'll not breake company, Madge, will you?
98
I'le goe, if it be but to curse the peeching rascall
that accuseth her.
1. Man.
On these tearmes we shall not breake company.
W'ell wayte upon you to the Towne, and do you the best
service we can in placing of you.
Omnes.
We thanke your worship heartily.
Scena Secunda.
Montalto, Arnaldo, with Attendants.Mont.
'Tis much, none yet appeares will undertake
The Princesses defence: had not the King
Impos'd this place on me, and therewithall
An incapability of serving her
As Champion; I'le take Heaven to witnesse
If none should take her cause in hand, I
Would have had beene the man my selfe.
Arn.
I thinke it fitter farre
She suffer, who through unrelenting doeth
Cause matchlesse paynes within her servant's breast
Then she, whose yielding breathes new life into him.
If the same heate, the very same desire
Doe egge both sexes on to taste those sweetes
Of love, which to the ruder vulgar seeme
Faults punishable; why should women be
Blam'd for committing that with one or more,
Which men commit and recommit each houre,
And are the most esteem'd, not punish'd; trueth to say
99
But though our offices exempt us, there are enough
Yong lads i'th'towne; me thinkes some halfe a thousand
Should strive for th'honour of the undertaking,
And if none doe then may my wish prevayle
That none betwixt nineteen and fourty nine
May ever have commotion beneath the girdle.
Mont.
All this is but discourse. The time's at hand,
Therefore let us provide all things be ready,
That come or come they not, we be not found
Faulty in executing of our dutyes.
Who waytes without there?
Enter three Servants.
1. Man.
What's your pleasure Sir?
Mont.
Are all things ready? Is the scaffold up?
Are things within the lists ordered as
You had command?
1. Man.
All straightwayes will be done.
Mont.
It were then best my Lord that you and I
Went to acquaint all parties wh'are concern'd
That they prepare themselves, for th'houre drawes nigh.
(Exeunt.
Scena Tertia.
Three Serving Men.1. Man.
Come then, my friends, let's to our businesse, though
I must confesse I never went about any in my life with so ill
a will; but they that are bound must obey.
100
Would I were bound for the furthest part of the
earth, so I were not bound for this voyage. D's lud, that I
were but a Gentleman for his sake, I'de teach his Lordship,
as goodly as he is, to peech, with a pockes to him.
1. Man.
Were you with the Carpenter? is the Scaffold
finish't, and all things in a readinesse belonging thereunto?
3. Man.
'Twas e'ne as good as done three houres agoe, 'tis
surely done by this. I'le goe and see, and if it be ready I'le
bring you word presently.
1. Man.
Pray thee doe, and see you loyter not by the way,
for they say 'tis as good to have one's head off as ever aking,
and in my conscience the sweet Princesses head is not well at
ease at this time. Know you that Gentleman that walkes so
(Enter Bellamour disguis'd.)
melancholly yonder, he hath somewhat surely in his pate we
know not of.
2. Man.
I never saw him before, he is sure some stranger.
I am sure he belongs not to the Court; who knowes but having
heard of the Princesse her accusation, he may be come to
shame all the Gentry of Corsica, and take her defense upon
him.
1. Man.
O that that were true! but what's the haste with
thee? why com'st thou so soon backe? thou can'st not have
beene there, and heere again so soone.
3. Man.
Let me take breath before I speake, and in the
meantime take you courage and comfort. I am so glad!
2. Man.
Of what? man. If there be any cause of gladnesse,
pray thee let us share with thee in it; any thing belonging
to joy never could come in a more needful time.
101
Speake then, and hold us not upon the racke of
expectation.
3. Man.
As I was going to the Carpenter about the
businesse you wot of, I met a pretty little Gentleman, who
ask't me if none had yet undertaken the Lady Florabella's
defense? I told him no, and that if they came not the sooner,
'twould be too late, for within less than an houre, as she had
lost her mayden-head, she was likely to loose woman's-head.
He said, I lyed like a paultry knave, for neither had she lost
the one, neither should she loose the other, for he was come
to prove Lord Garamont a lyer.
Bell.
What's that my friend? pray say it o're againe.
3. Man.
Nothing Sir, but that there is one come who will
defend the Lady Florabella's cause against Lord Garamont.
Bell.
That must not be.
1. Man.
Why so Sir, I pray? if you doe no good, I hope
you will do no harme.
Bell.
No surely friend, but all the good I can
To the fayre Princessse falsely slaundered.
And to that purpose I my selfe am come
To be her champion. I nor must, nor will
Permit another robbe me of that glory.
1. Man.
Nay then Sir, I crave you mercy: so her cause be
defended I doe not care by whom.
3. Man.
Marry, but this is the likelyer Gentleman to make
it good, he hath something of strength and bones in him.
The other I tell you is a very little timber'd Gentleman, and
I am afraid will not be able to hold out against Lord
Garamont, therefore this for my money.
Bell.
Pray which way went that other Gentleman?
102
Straight towards the Court, as I conceived.
Bell.
Then pray, friend, let me begge your company,
To go alone with me to the Court,
And let the Lords appointed to see
The this daye's business performed, know
That there another combattant is come
Who first desires the combat.
3. Man.
With all my heart Sir, and I thanke you too,
heartily. I'le wayte upon your worship, and hope for some
reward for my good newes.
(Exeunt Bellamour and the third Man. Manent the first and second Man.
1. Man.
Whye, so then, this is somewhat, better late than
never, goe get you gone, and bring the women hither presently.
2. Man.
I'm gone.
1. Man.
I pray God, the Ladye's defense fall to the share of
this Gentlemen that was heere. I like his aspect wondrous
well, me thinkes he promiseth victory; and yet who can tell;
your little men are all fire, they have no drosse in them, they
are true mettle from head to heele. Well, I will hope the best.
See here comes Hodge, with his leash of Conyes. Well say'd
Hodge; Thou hast made haste indeede. Not a word, but
stand close there.
Enter Feredo, with people bringing in the Scaffold.
Fer.
So, well said, my friends, bring in the Scaffold,
And set it up there on that side:
Make ready on that other side the place
Appointed for the challanger,
103
Set up the chayre for the Lord Constable
And Lord high Chamberlaine. The King will not
For all this possibility of freedom to
His daughter be persuaded to looke on.
H'as made a vow never to see her face
Till she or be acquitted or be dead,
And she on her part too hath made a vow
That 'till or dead or freed from what is laid
Unto her charge, no man shall see her face,
And to that purpose she hath leave obtayn'd
To appeare vayl'd; and to say trueth't had beene
Much misbecomming otherwise t'have done.
Her vayle may hide the blush, which certainely
Guilty or not will have recourse unto
Her cheekes, and yet who knowes? perhaps
A looke from her might have put life and strength
Into her Champion. So now all is well,
And see, the Lords doe come.
Scena Quarta.
Montalto, Arnaldo, with Attendants who take their places, Philochres.Mont.
All is well marshall'd, thankes to you Feredo.
There now remaynes nothing to be done
But that the parties interess'd be call'd,
And pray'rs be made to heaven for just successe,
104
Arn.
And so do I.
Omnes.
So do we all, my Lords.
Arn.
I thinke 'twere best, my Lords, we sent Feredo
To bring the Princesse in and place her first,
Shee'll have the longer time to pow're forth prayers
To the all-hearing heavens, and may they be
Propicious to her what e're [she] requests.
I'm glad she shall have some play for her life,
And not like ordinary malefactors
Be brought, voyde of all hope, unto the gallowes.
Mont.
Feredo, goe, wayte on the Princesse hether.
But now, my Lord before the Champions
Appeare, 'twere good we did agree which of
The two should be the man.
Arn.
Let them agree
Of that themselves.
Mont.
But say they'll both contend
For the precedency.
Arn.
Then let the dice
Decide the question, and fayre fall the chance.
Enter Feredo, leading the Princesse vayl'd and her woman.
Mont.
Madame, be not dismay'd, be of good courage,
This unexpected comming of your friends
So in the nicke of time is a good omen,
For such a one pray take't, and take your place.
(She bowes and is led to the seate.
Now some give notice to the Challenger
The Court attends him.
105
(aside)
Had they but stay'd
One houre yet longer, my revenge had beene
Compleate without the counterchecke of chance:
But I hope well in Garamont, and come
What will come, I am satisfi'de in part,
And should be fully saw I her head start.
(Trumpets sound. Enter Garamont, who takes his place.)
Mont.
'Tis now, my Lord, the last time we can aske
The last time you can answere; be well advis'd
You yet may time enough recant and if
I might prevayle with you, you should do so.
Sir, you are not the first hath beene deceiv'd,
I doe beleeve you thinke you saw the Princesse
In wanton dalliance, as you have affirm'd,
But doe beleeve you may have seene amisse.
Doe you beleeve so too, and thereby make
The King as much your friend as he shall doe
Who by the hazzard of his life shall free
His daughter of the calumny
You lay upon her,
And that you may not doubt there will want those
Will undertake it, know, that there are two
Who take upon them Florabell's defense.
Gar.
Sir, now I thanke my fates, and ne're till now;
The mightiest witt, or man best fraught with art,
If they doe want materialls, whereupon
To shew their high conceits, their curious skill,
May boast (and that is all) of their perfections,
But never try it by the touch of trueth.
Had I not met some object, whereupon
106
Make manifest to Bellamour's dead corpse,
And thereby strive t'appease his injur'd ghost,
I should not have had given so true a test
Of my true friendship: men perhaps might thinke
If I had met with opposition, I
Should have done what you, my Lord, advise,
And yet Sir, I doe thanke you for your counsell,
As knowing it proceedes from forth a breast
Full fraught with honour. But I must crave pardon
For not obeying you therein, the name
Of friend, of grossely injur'd friend,
Must pleade my pardon both to you and all
The world besides; therefore I pray, my Lords,
If there be any champion that appeares,
Let him be sent for, so I may eschew
The twice repeating what will be no lesse
Grievous to me to speake than you to heare,
For never did two contrarietyes
So struggle for the upper hand in man
As now they doe in me.
Mont.
Call in the Champions.
Gar.
I am not ignorant what hatred I
Deservedly plucke on me from the State,
The King, the Subjects, you fayre Florabell,
The blame I shall incurre from all who shall
Hereafter heare of this, and not consider
Perhaps so duely as they ought th'inciting cause.
Enter Champions.
107
Of Bellamour's much undeserved wrongs,
His sufferings which thereupon ensued,
Into the other ballance, they weigh downe the scale,
And therefore thus I doe avouch for truth,
Which with my sword I'm ready to make good
'Gainst any dare maintaine the contrary,
The Princesse Florabella is unchast,
And hath committed that (I looking on)
For which the Lawes doome her to death,
And I require of you, my Lords, who are
Our Soveraigne's substitutes, the Law be put
In execution; if any here
Doe doubt of this, and dare make good his doubt
I thus defie him—
(He throws downe his glove.)
Take it up who dare,
And I not doubt to doe the wretch to death.
(The two champions stoope and struggle for the glove.)
Mont.
Part the contestors, take the glove from both,
And give it to the Princesse at the barre.
If it stand with your liking, Lord Arnaldo,
Let her who hath most int'rest in the quarrell
Decide the businesse.
Arn.
No evener way,
Lesse leaning towards partiality
Can be imagined; 'tis reason she
Whose life and honour both lye at the stake
Doe chuse her champion; nor can these Gentlemen
(Her choyce once made) appeale from thence, they both
108
(They both bow in token of assent.)
Then take the glove Feredo, give it to
The Princesse; now Madame, come from the barre,
And chuse your Champion: he to whom you give
The glove, must be the man for whose successe
Your pray'rs and ours must joyntly seeke to heaven.
(She comes forth, makes low reverence to the lesser Champion, gives her glove to the taller, so retireth.
Bellamour.
(disguis'd, in a counterfeit voice, saith)
First, Madame, give me leave to kisse your hand
In humble thankfulnesse for this your favour;
Next, let me begge of you that whil'st I doe
Make your accuser doe just penance for
His blacke assertion, you be not afraid,
But have assured faith of prosperous
Successe in him who lives or dyes your servant.
And now to you Sir, fewest words are best,
He lyes that saith the Princesse is unchast.
(The warning to the battell is given by Trumpets, they fight, and having fought awhile, Sylvander comes in with Lucina in man's apparell, who parteth the Combatants.
Syl.
Put truce awhile to your death-doing swords,
Brave Cavaliers, and no one stroake make more,
Have patience till I shall say what will,
Without the shedding of your noble bloud,
Decide this question, cleare that spotlesse Princesse.
109
Ha! what's that he saith? Stand some of you
Betweene the Combatants, keepe them from further fighting
Till he be heard: now Sir, pray speake your minde.
Syl.
I first pronounce the Princesse cleare, as is
The childe unborne, of what she stands accus'd,
Next, I embrace the Challenger, as one who doeth
Deserve the best of names, name of a faithful friend.
Nor must you, bold brave Sir, scape unsaluted,
Y'have done enough by this your undertaking
To eternize your fame; and now to you,
My Lords, I must addresse my speech. Know then
That if this combat further do proceede,
And (as 'tis likely) death ensue therefrom,
Whether the challenger or challenged
Doe dye, he dyeth innocent; the one
Thinks he is in the right, nay I dare say,
Beleeves it confidently, nor doe I
Blame him for doing so; so should I doe
Were I as he, yet surely he's i'th'wrong,
Unwittingly a falsehood he maintaines.
The selfe same errour, which bereav'd of life
His dearest friend, makes him take armes in hand
To vindicate his suppos'd injury.
The other knowes not whether he maintaine
The trueth or no, nor thinke I he doeth much
Regard the justnesse of his cause, even just as he
Doeth, should I do were I in his place.
'Tis noblenesse of spirit, meere good nature
Makes him to grapple thus with death itselfe,
To save from perishing so great a beauty,
110
I helpe and comforte bring to th'innocent,
But death and dire damnation to the guilty.
Mont.
Sir, you have promis'd much, may you performe
As bravely, then we all shall worship you.
To shew that we covet as much to heare
What you would say as you to utter it,
We doe ordayne cessation of armes
'Till you have said. Be pleas'd then Gentlemen,
To lay aside your weapons for a while,
For ever, if this Gentleman make good
His word; if otherwise you shall again
Resume them. Now Sir, speake your minde at large.
Syl.
Then thus my Lords, I doe accuse the Prince,
Philochres, that trayterous Prince,
Of all the mischiefs hath ensu'd as yet,
And what hereafter might ensue heereon,
Were't not that I miraculously met
With the discovery of all his plots.
Phil.
My Lords, this fellow raves, lay treachery
To my charge! I demand the Law, my Lords,
The execution of the Law against
This fowle-mouthed slaunderer. (aside)
I'm sure Lucina,
Is safe enough, and then I feare no peaching.
Syl.
O Sir, is't you that are the Prince Philocres?
I'm glad I have you heere; e're you and I
Doe part, the world shall see that fowle
Mouth'd slaunderer you speake of prove your selfe.
It was not you, who 'cause that Florabella
Would not give eare to your unpleasing suite,
111
Her bed-fellow who much did dote on you
To d'on the Princesses cloathes, then give you meeting
At the Balconye window, before which
You formerly had placed Bellamour,
That he might see you clamber up the window,
And take Lucina for the Princesse, who
(As he it seems deserv'd) bore more affection
To him than you; No, nor it was not you
That sent Lucina to be murdered
By two base Rascalls, making her beleeve
You'd send her to your Gally, and straight come
Your selfe and marry her; all this for feare
Least somewhat might be sifted out of her,
Whereby your villany might come to light.
Phil.
You say true, Sir, indeede it was not I.
Syl.
You lye, false Prince, 'twas you, and none but you
Which thus I'le make good.
(They draw and fight.
Mont.
Part them, I charge you. This is more than lyeth
In our commission, which extends no further
Than to the combat 'twixt the challenger
And the defender of the Ladye's cause,
The which though that this man be, he does not though
Fight 'gainst the challenger. Now sir, be pleas'd
To make your legall proofes of what y'have said,
And be assur'd you shall have all fayre hearing.
Syl.
Then thus, sir, to my proofes: know you this face,
(He pluckes out Lucina's hat and beard.)
Nay never blush for't man, murder will out.
Arn.
The Gods are just, and we for this their care
112
And fame, have ever cause to prayse them,
For surely all is true this gentleman
Affirmes. How say you minion? is it not?
Luc.
(kneels)
My Lords, I trust I shall the sooner taste
Of mercy from you, pardon from you, Madame,
When't it does appeare I was not of the plot
Of any harm intended to the Princesse,
And since't hath pleas'd the Gods to make of me
As well as instrument to cleare her, as
Unwittingly I was to work her ruine,
This in mine own excuse admitted, I assure
All that this noble Gentleman hath said
Is trueth, nor do I thinke Philocres dare deny it.
Mont.
How say you, Sir? 'tis your turne now to speake.
Phil.
I am a Prince, you cannot torture me,
I crave leave to be gone, and whilst I stay
Within this kingdome, I will nothing say.
(Exit.
Mont.
Then silence gives consent. Goe call the King
That he may be the first may bring his daughter
From the accused barre to Throne of State
And we surrender up our place to them
(They both come down.
Which with how much more joy I shall goe downe
Than I came up, I take the heavens to witnesse.
Arn.
Were the degrees tenne times as high methinkes
I could them caper down,
So much of lively-hood have you deare Sir,
By this your blest discovery put into me.
And now my Lords and Gentlemen, all friends
113
Why seeme you yet so sad, Lord Garamont,
In this glad time of universall mirth?
I boldly dare affirm it was no spleene
By you borne to the Princesse made you take
This businesse in hand, but to expresse
Your friendship to your good friend Bellamour,
Which since you have so well perform'd, as all
The world will scarcely parallelle, not outdoe you,
Me thinkes you should with us joyne in expressions
Of mirth and jollitye.
Gar.
You are, my Lord,
Much in the right: so may I thrive as I
(For what concern'd myselfe) did with as much
Reluctancy accuse the Princesse, as
You would have seene her head ta'ne off, and therefore
In charity you will beleeve I share
As deeply in this general joy, as you
Or any heere, and if my lookes doe not
Paint forth my joy in full as lively colours
As may be seen in yours and all these faces
Which doe surround you, judge the cause aright,
For when I thinke on Bellamour's disaster
His most unfortunate mistake, wherein
I shar'd as well as he, when, as I thinke
How wellcome these newes would have beene to him,
Who now's become incapable thereof,
I must confesse it somewhat doeth allay
The height of happinesse I else should have.
Mont.
'Tis true, my Lord, but where nought will avayle
114
Bell.
But I were much to blame should I permit
This sadnesse on his soul one minute sit:
See here, my best of friends, your Bellamour.
(He discovers himselfe.)
Gar.
If this be true and nothing false here meant,
I'le vye with all the world for true content.
(They all salute Bellamour.
Enter King.
King.
What meanes that mass of people heap't together?
'Pray God there be nothing of new arrived
To counterpoyse my unexpected blisse.
Be it but some meane crosse I shall applaude
The destinyes in their care over me,
Who may have sent some rubbe, least too much joy
Might have had strucke me dead.
Mont.
Let's leave saluting: see where comes the King;
Sir, though I doe presume you have already
Partaken of the newes you most desired,
The undoubted cleering of your spotlesse daughter,
Yet if you have but any cranny left
Within your Princely breast, unfill'd with joy,
Heere's wherewithall to cramme it full.
He who did undertake the Princesse' cause
Is prov'd to be your servant Bellamour.
King.
Softly I say: doe not so all at once
Heape on your blessed tidings; let me disgest them
(Bellamour kisseth his hand.
Peace-meale, least excesse doe cause a surfeit.
115
Which shall more fully praysed be hereafter.
I first to you, my daughter, turne myselfe
And crave your pardon: if I for a while
Forbeare to fetch you forth from where you are
To where you should be, heere: you are our owne,
And all respects ought first be show'en to strangers,
And yet because I cannot long forbeare
To see what once within this houre I would
Have given my crowne to see, I will be short
In thanking all these cavalyers, who have share
In this your freedom. 'Tis not words, but deeds
Speakes thankfullnesse: To witnesse then my thankes
I in a King's word promise to these three,
Who stickled in my daughter's cause, a boone,
A boone to each of them, whate're it be
They shall demand shall graunted be by me.
They who did know so well how to employ
Their service, will as well know what to ask
A guiderdon; and now daughter, to you—
(He takes her from the Barre, pulles off her vayle, and instead of his daughter findes her mayde Fiducia.
What meanes this Pageant? I not like these trickes,
Say some of you—what do you say? You stand
Amazed gazing one on another
As if you knew not how to doe withall.
On your alleageance I charge you all
Reade me this Riddle; you, Montalto, say
What meanes this property? I cannot brooke delay.
116
May't please your Majesty, I know not what
To say or thinke, I know no tricke that's in't,
I tooke Fiducia, vayl'd, to be your daughter.
King.
May't please your Maistership, it does not please me,
Speake, some that's wiser.
Omnes.
Sir we are all
In this as ignorant as he.
Arn.
You'd best inquire
Of her who tooke her place upon her, she
Is likelyest t'unfold the businesse.
King.
Speake then, good wench, hold up this jest no longer,
Where is my daughter? what's become of her?
Fid.
In sooth I cannot tell.
King.
In sooth, forsooth,
Or tell, or I will torture't out of you;
How came you hither? you can tell me that.
Fid.
Obedience to my Mistresse's command
Brought me thus hither: This morning when she wak't,
(And trueth to say she hardly slep't all night)
She call'd me to her, whisper'd me i'th'eare,
And made me vow secrecy and assistance;
She then sent forth her other mayde Nigretta
Upon some sleeveless errand which might keepe
Her busy till she had dispatch't with me.
Nigretta gone, and none but she and I
I'th'chamber left, she said, My good Fiducia
'Tis now that I must try thy love and service.
Goe, get some boyes apparell; aske not why?
But straightway bring it hither: I obey'd,
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For a young brother of mine; she instantly
Leapt out of bed, and don'd those cloathes; she made
Me strippe my selfe and put on her apparell,
Put on her vayle; which when I'de done, she said,
Inquire not after me whether I goe,
Or what I meane to do; when they shall come
To fetch me forth, goe you in stead of me,
And play my part, leave me to play another;
I pawne my troath there shall no harm ensue
To you, Fiducia; not one hayre of your's
Shall fall into the ground; but that was more
Than needed; to have saved her head
I would full willingly have lost mine owne.
She went her way,
And as she went came you Nigretta in,
Since when you know you could not get me speake
One word. Sir, now you know all I can say.
King.
I know you are a cunning hallotry,
But must know more than this, or ne're know more,
What say you, Mistrisse Minkes? how goes affayres?
Nig.
Sir may I dye a mayde, if I know ought
Belonging thereunto; when I came backe
I found her, whom I for my Mistrisse tooke
Sitting cross't-armed, with head hung in her bosome,
Who, doe I what I would, would ne'er be brought
To speake one word; I wayted on her hither,
Still taking her to be the Princesse, this
Is all I can affirme.
King.
Was ever King thus cros't
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It out, or make some smart for't: who waytes there?
Goe, take this piece of frailty; dragge her to
The racke, I'le trye, whether or no
The extention of her joynts will serve t'enlarge
Her tongue.
Fid.
Before I goe know all—
King.
Stay her, I thought the racke would draw it forth.
Fid.
That whatso'ere through frailty of my flesh,
To tortures not iniur'd, I may perchance
Hereafter say or more or lesse than what
I have already said, is nothing so; for may
My soule share blisse, as I the trueth doe say.
King.
Goe, dragge her hence, and see her soundly tortur'd.
Flor.
(kneels)
I begge the boone your Majestie was pleas'd
To promise me.
King.
Name it, and it is granted.
Flo.
This mayde's release from bonds, or further torture.
King.
Thinke on some other suite, this must not be.
Flo.
Your word is past, I'le nothing begge but this.
Arn.
Sir, be persuaded, truely I beleeve
The mayde hath told the trueth; besides your word
Is past, and cannot be recalled with honour.
To adde to this, there is no doubt, where e're
The Princesse is, when she shall heare of this
She'll instantly return to Court. We all
Will goe in pursuite of her.
King.
Loose the mayde.
Flo.
Thankes to your Majesty; and heere I vow
Since my fates would not suffer me to fight
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Your Majesty till I have found her out,
And brought her to you. Come you along with me.
(Exit Florabella and Fiducia.
Bell.
Till newes be heard of her, there shall no newes
Be heard of Bellamour. I'le seeke the world
Throughout but I will find her.
(Exit.
Mont.
Sir, courage, certainely she will be found.
King.
I hope she will; meanetime pray let us know
To whom it is we stand so much indebted,
And how you came to make this blest discovery.
Syl.
Sir, I'm a Cyprian of the Isle of Cyprus:
The reason of my comming hither was
To seeke a Prince out; now the king of Cyprus,
(For our late king is lately dead) his sonne
Some six months since, for that his father would
Have forced a marriage on him, left the Court,
And privately stole in disguise away,
Leaving a note behinde him in his study,
Whereby he signified he had tak'n an oath
Which he would most religiously observe
Ne're to returne, nor yet make himselfe know'en
For what he was, whils't that his father lived.
The old king hearing this, strucke through with griefe
Fell sicke, and five months after died. Our State
Now wants a Governour, to helpe the which
Fifty o'th'Court, whereof myselfe am one
Tooke all a vow never backe to returne
Till we had found the Prince, or heard newes of him.
My lot fell this way, where whils't I was riding,
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I heard an hideous outcrye; I spurr'd on
A pace towards the place from whence it came,
And well it was I spurr'd, else all had been in vayne,
For I might see two villaines with their weapons
About to murder her whom here you see,
Whose screekes brought me to succour her; the slaves
When they saw me betooke them to their heeles,
And did, to save themselves, not murder her;
My errand was not to pursue them flying,
But rescue her, as luckily I did,
When she had taken breath, and found her selfe,
In safer custody than formerly,
I asked her why this outrage was intended;
She told me all what y'have heard already
Touching the treason plotted 'gainst the life
Of Florabella, and how she herselfe
By the same treacherous Prince was doom'd to death,
For, that her death might be more terrible
The rogues had told her this before:
You will beleeve when I heard this I made
What haste I could to do what I have done,
Save th'innocent and makes the guilty know'en,
I onely stay'd to make my footboye shift
Apparell with Lucina, that she so
Might come along with me disguis'd and serve
If neede should be for witnesse, as sh'has done,
And now, Sir, you know all.
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I know myselfe indebted much to you
Which to requite I'le use all power I have
To finde your Prince out; to that end Montalto,
Give order Proclamation be made in every place
Which may divulge the King of Cyprus death.
(Exit Montalto.
I'le write to all my neighbour Princes
Intreating them to do the like, this way
'Tis like the Prince may soonest here of it,
Which when he doeth he surely will returne.
Syl.
I humbly thanke your Majesty for this
So noble favour, which our State shall know.
(Enter Florabella in her own clothes, who kneeleth downe before her father and saith
Flo.
Your pardon, Sir, for having been the cause
Of some houres sorrow in you.
King.
My Florabell,
My dearest childe, and now more deare than ever
Since freed from calumny! where hast thou beene?
Goe, call backe Bellamour, say she is found.
Fer.
Ne're did the Grayhound with more willingnesse
Pursue the flying hare than I'le doe him.
(Exit Feredo.
Flo.
Sir, when I saw the time draw neere and none
Appeare in my defense, rather than perish
So calmely, I resolved to be
Mine own defender. I did thinke the Gods
Would never suffer innocence to suffer,
Besides there was by this course some meanes offer'd
Of coveted revenge, which I was sure
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For or I should have overcome, or when th'accuser
Should see whom he had slayne, 'twould have appeas'd
My slaunder'd soul to see how 'twould have vex'd him:
I to this purpose did what you have heard
Fiducia relate, but was prevented in
The execution of my designes
As you have seene Sir.
King.
Happily prevented.
Enter Bellamour and Feredo.
Bell.
The King of Cyprus's dead, the Princesse found
And innocent; then Sir, I crave the boone
You promised with more assurance than
I thought I should have done. I crave your daughter
For wife unto the King of Cyprus.
(He discovereth himselfe to be Prince of Cyprus.
Syl.
Beyond my hopes see I have found him out:
Sir, thus in name of all your subjects I
Salute you King of Cyprus.
King.
And I with joy not easily expres't
Doe thus make good my boone. Take her, and take
With her more joy than e're befell a Prince;
I neede not aske your leave, deare daughter, neede I?
(He gives him Florabella.
Flo.
Sir, you have given me more of true content
In this, than I till now had cause to hope for:
Yet I must begge one favour more.
King.
Speake on,
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Flo.
That you'll be pleas'd, Sir, to forgive Lucina.
Syl.
Madame, 'twas that I mean't t'have made my boone,
But since your Highnesse hath prevented me,
I crave another, th'abrogation
Of this to women too unjust a Law.
King.
All's graunted: Pardons, Boones, whate're they be,
For this must be a day of Jubilye.
FINIS.
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