 | Svvetnam, the VVoman-hater, arraigned by women |  |
Act. III.
Enter Atticvs, Iago, Nicanor, two Iudges, Notarie, and Attendants.Att.
How full of troubles is the state of Kings,
Abroad with Foes, at home, with faithlesse Friends,
Within with cares, without, a thousand feares?
Yet all summ'd vp together, doth not make
Such an impression in our troubled thoughts,
As this one Act of disobedience
In our owne Issue.
Iag.
Gracious Soueraigne, yet for that high respect,
Be fauourable: she is your Daughter.
1. Iud.
And the onely hope
Of all Sicilie, since Lorenzo's losse.
Att.
Bring to the Barre the Prisoners: this offence
Hath lost in vs a Father and a Friend,
And cals for Iustice from vs, as a King:
Yet thinke not, Lords, but 'tis with griefe of mind,
Nor can a Father easly forget a Daughter,
Whom hee once so dearely lou'd:
Yet we had rather become Issulesse,
Then leaue it noted to Posteritie,
An Act of such Iniustice.
2. Iud.
Yet, dread Liege,
Oh, doe not too much aggrauate the crime,
Rather impute it to their childish loue.
Att.
To loue my Lords? if that were lowable,
What Act so vile, but might be so excus'd?
The Murderer, that sheddeth guiltlesse bloud,
Might plead, it was for loue of his Reuenge,
The Felon likewise might excuse his theft,
With loue of money, and the Traytor too
Might say, It was for loue of Soueraigntie.
And indeed, all offenders so might plead.
A Barre.
Let all respect of persons be forgot,
And deale vprightly, that you may resemble
The highest Iudge, whose seat on Earth you hold:
And for you know, the Lawes of Sicilie
Forbid to punish two, for one offence,
Let your care be to find the principall,
The Primus Motor that begun the cause;
For the effect (you see) is but the issue
That one of them may worthily receiue
Deserued death; the other, may be sent
(As lesse offending) into banishment.
Exit King.
The Prisoners brought to the Barre by a Gard.
Enter Lisandro, and Leonida.
1. Iudg.
Th'offence wherewith you both stand tax'd withall,
Appeares so manifest in grosse, that now
We need not question all particulars
In publique here: yet your triall shall
Be honourable, as your Persons were
Before this blacke Impression. Therefore say,
Which of you two begun th'occasion,
By any meanes, direct or indirect?
And answer truely, as you looke for grace.
Lis.
'Twas I, my honour'd Lords.
Leo.
My Lords, 'twas I.
Lis.
Let not this honourable Court be swaid
By false suggestions; that the fault was mine,
Appeares as manifest as mid-dayes Sunne,
'Twas I that first attempted, su'd, and prai'd,
Vs'd all the subtile engins Art could inuent,
Or Nature yeeld, to force affection,
Onely to gaine the royall Princesse loue;
For what can Women aboue weakenesse act?
Or, what Fort's so strong, but yeelds at length
To a continued siege?
Th'attempt, I knew, was hard and dangerous:
Which ere I would haue left, I would ha' past
More dangers then ere Iason vnder-went.
Then, since you see (my Lords) the guilt was mine,
Pardon the Princesse, Mee to death resigne.
Leo.
Pardon (my Lords) Lisandro, let me dye:
If euer you'le performe an act of iustice
Shall make you truely famous, doe it here,
Here vpon me; the guilt alone is mine:
'Twas this alluring face, and tempting smiles,
That drew on his affections. Say that Hee
Did first commence the suit; the fault was mine
In yeelding to it: 'Tis a greater shame
For women to consent, then men to aske:
And yet, before he spoke, I had ingag'd
My heart and loue to him, vnask'd, vnpraid;
And then (you know) how soone our eyes discouers
The true affection that we beare our Louers:
Then since the guilt alone remaines in Mee,
Let me be iudg'd, and set Lisandro free.
2. Iudg.
This knot is intricate.
Lis.
'Tis fallacie.
Who can alledge one Article 'gainst her?
Th'offence was, breaking of the Kings command,
That none, on paine of death, should visit her,
Vnlesse appoynted by the King himselfe;
And that alone was mine: 'Twas my deuice;
I tooke the borrowed shape; I broke the Law,
And I must suffer for't: Then doe not wrong
Her spotlesse Chastitie.
4. Iudg.
How, Chastitie?
Lis.
If any here conceiue her otherwise,
That very thought will damne him:
She's as chaste
As ere your Mothers in their cradles were.
For any act committed.
Harder still.
1. Iudg.
A confused Labyrinth: we shal ne'r wind out.
Leo.
My Lords, beleeue him not; the guilt lies here:
'Twas I that sent him that deluding shape,
In which he got admittance; The offence
Rests onely here: And therefore (good my Lords)
Let the condemning sentence passe on mee;
Or else, I will protest to all the world,
You are vniust;
And take my death vpon't.
Lis.
Fie, Madam, how you wrong your innocence!
And seeming (Lady) to be pittifull
To mee, you are most cruell; for my life
Should be a willing sacrifice to death,
To expiate the guilt of my offence.
Remember what continuall paines I tooke,
By messages, intreaties, gifts, and prayers,
To win your fauour, deare Leonida.
Iustice in this will be Impietie,
Vnlesse it here be shew'd. I beg it may.
Leo.
I beg against him: He is innocent;
The fact alone was mine: I was the first,
The middle, and the end;
And Iustice here must end,
Or 'tis iniustice.
Enter King.
Attic.
Is the sentence giuen?
2. Iudg.
Not yet, my Lord: We are as far to seeke,
In the true knowledge of the prime Offender,
As at the first; for they plead guilty both;
Both striue to aggrauate their owne offence,
And Both excuse each other. On our liues,
We cannot yet determine where's the cause.
Attic.
It is impossible
That sacred Iustice should be hudwink't still,
Though she be falsly painted so; Her eyes
Can maske it selfe in any borrowed shape,
But shee'le discouer it. Let vm be returnd
Backe to their seuerall Wards, till we deuise
Some better course for the discouery.
Nic.
Dread Soueraigne, I know no better way,
Then to assay by torture, to inforce
A free confession, seuerall, one from other:
For though they now, out of affection,
Plead their owne guilt, as if they feard not death;
Yet, when they feele him sting once, then the care
Of life, and safetie, will discouer all.
Iag.
My Lord Nicanor, this is ill aduis'd,
Sauoring too much of force and tyrannie.
Is't fit that Princes should subiect themselues
To any tortures, such as are prepared
For base Offendors? 'Tis ignobly done,
So to incense the King.
Nic.
How, Sir!
Iag.
Eu'n so:
You shew a proud aspiring mind, my Lord,
After a Kingdome, that would ruinate
Two royall Louers for so small a fact:
But, Marke my words, Nicanor; Ere the Crowne
Impale thy Temples by Her timelesse end,
Mine and fiue thousand liues shall all expire.
Nic.
I wey thy words not this.
Iag.
Nor I thy frowne;
I'le incense one, shall quickly pull you downe.
Exit.
Attic.
How's your opinion then,
To search it out?
1. Iudg.
My Liege, we know no better way then this,
Let there be publique Proclamation made
Throughout the Kingdome, that there may be found
Two Aduocates, to plead this difference
In publique disputation, Man and Woman,
That can be found, or heard of in the Land:
Or any such will proffer of themselues
To vndertake the plea; For, questionlesse,
None are so impudent to vndergoe
So great a controuersie, except those
That know themselues sufficient.
Attic.
Wee are pleas'd.
See it effected with all the speed you can:
Exeunt Om.
The charge be yours, my Lord. Dissolue the Court.
Enter Iago and Lorenzo, disguised like an Amazon.
Lor.
Has my poore Sister then withstood a triall?
Iag.
I, and behau'd her selfe
Most royall, and discreetly: In so much,
Shee put the Iudges to a non-plus, Sir;
Defending and excusing eythers cause,
Vntill Nicanor, with his kind aduice,
Desir'd the King they might be tortured,
To see if that would force confession.
Lor.
Was he the onely Tyrant? Well, ere long
It may be in Our power to quittance him.
I'me glad I know the Serpents subtiltie.
But how concluded they?
Iag.
I was so vext,
I could not stay a full conclusion.
The Prisoners were dismist before I came:
But how they did determine afterwards,
I long to heare. But what intends your Grace
In this disguise?
Lor.
To visit the sicke Court,
And free my Sister from captiuitie,
With that good Prince Lisandro.
Enter Misogynos and Scanfardo.
Mis.
A Woman!
Why the more I thinke of their wickednesse,
For they are, coozening, cologuing, vngrateful, deceitful,
Wauering, waspish, light, toyish, proud, sullen,
Discourteous, cruell, vnconstant; and what not?
Yet, they were created, and by nature formed,
And therefore of all men to be auoyded.
Lor.
Oh impious conclusion! What is hee?
Iag.
I ne'r had conuersation with him yet;
But (by report) I'le tell you, He's a man,
Who's breeding has beene like the Scarrabee,
Altogether vpon the excrement of the time;
And being swolne with poysonous vapors,
He breakes wind in publique, to blast the
Reputation of all Women; His acquaintance
Has bin altogether amongst Whores and Bawds,
And therefore speakes but in's owne element.
His owne vnworthie foule deformitie,
Because no Female can affect the same,
Begets in him despaire; and despaire, enuie.
He cares not to defame their very soules,
But that he's of the Turkes opinion: They haue none.
He is the Viper, that not onely gnawes
Vpon his Mothers fame, but seekes to eat
Thorow all Womens reputations.
Lor.
Is't possible! that Sicilie should breed
Such a degenerate Monster, shame of men?
Iag.
Blame not your Countrie, he's an Englishman.
Lor.
I will not see the glories of that Sexe
Be-spawld by such a dogged Humorist,
And passe vnpunisht.
Iag.
What intends your Grace?
Lor.
To vndertake this iust and honest quarrell,
In the defence of Vertue, till I haue
Seuerely punisht his opprobrious word,
Committed against Women, who's iust fame
Merits an Angels Pen to register.
Sir, you haue alter'd me, I thanke you for't.
Mis.
Oh! they are all the very pits of Sin,
Which men, for want of wisdome, fall into.
Scan.
I see it, Sir, and will proclaime as much.
Exit Scan.
Lor.
Leaue me, Iago.
Iag.
I'me gone, sweet Prince.
Lor.
Tell me, thou iangling Mastiffe, with what feare
Dar'st thou behold that too much wronged Sex,
Whose Vertues thou hast basely slander'd?
Mis.
Ha, ha, ha.
Lor.
Laugh'st thou, inhumane wretch? By my best hope,
But that thy malice hath deseru'd reuenge
More infamous, and publique, then to fall
By me in priuate, I would hew thy flesh
Smaller then Attomes.
Mis.
What, haue we here
A Woman rampant? ha!
Tempt me not, Syren, lest thou dost inuoke
A Furie worse then Woman.
Lor.
Hellish Fiend,
How dar'st thou vtter such blasphemous words,
In the contempt of Women, whose deserts
Thy dunghill basenesse neuer could discerne?
Assure thy selfe, thy malice shall be plagu'd
Seuerely, as in iustice thou deseru'st.
Mis.
I wey not your threats this; spit out your poysons,
Till your gals doe burst, I will oppose you all;
I cannot flatter, I: nor will I fawne
To gaine a fauor; Prayse the hand and foot,
And sweare your face is Angel-like, and lye
Most grosly. No, I will not do't.
But when I come, it shall be in a storme,
To terrifie you all, that you shall quake
To heare my name resounding in your eares:
And Fortune, if thou be'st a deitie,
Giue me but opportunitie, that I
That henceforth Men of Women may beware.
Enter a Herald with a Proclamation, a Trumpet before him, a great rabble of men following him.
Heral.
Atticus, King of Sicilia, to all his louing Subiects
sendeth greeting: Whereas there is a doubtfull
question to be decided in publique disputation, which
concernes the honour of all men in generall, that is to say,
Whether the Man or the Woman in loue, stand guilty of
the greatest offence: Know therefore, if that any man, of
what estate or condition soeuer, will vndertake to defend
the equitie of men, against the false imputations of women,
let vm repayre to the Court, they shall be honourably
entertayned, graciously admitted, and well rewarded.
God saue the King.
Omnes.
Heauen preserue his Grace.
Mis.
Fortune, I doe adore thee for this newes:
Why, here's the thing I lookt for; 'tis a prize
Will make me euer famous. Herald, stay,
I will maintaine the Challenge, and approue
That women are first tempters vnto loue.
I'le blazon forth their colours in such sort,
Shall make their painted cheekes looke red, for vm
To haue them noted theirs, that all may know
That women onely are the cause of woe.
Omnes.
A Champion, a Champion!
Exeunt.
Enter a Woman with a Proclamation, and as many Women as may be, with a Trumpet afore them.
Lor.
Aurelia, Queene, by the especiall priuiledge of
the Maiestie of Sicilia, to all Ladies, gentle and others, of
the Female Sex, sends greeting: Whereas there is a question
Assembly of both parts, that is, whether the
man or the woman in loue cōmit greatest offence, by
giuing the first and principall occasion of sinning: therefore
know, that if any woman will vndertake to defend
the innocency of women, against the false imputations
of detracting men, let her repaire to the Court, shee shall
bee honourably entertayned, graciously admitted, and
well rewarded.
God saue the Queene.
Omnes.
Heauens preserue her.
Lor.
I doe accept it, tis a cause so iust,
In equitie and vertue, in defence
Of wronged women, whose distressed fames
Lye buried in contempt, whose Champion
I doe professe my selfe, and doe desire
No greater glorie, then to haue that name.
What woman can indure to heare the Wrongs,
Slanders, Reproches, and base Forgeries,
That base men vaunt forth, to dimme the rayes
Of our weake tender Sex? But they shall know,
Themselues, not women, are the cause of woe.
A Champion, a Champion.
Exeunt Omnes.
Enter Atticus, Misogynos, two Iudges, Notarie, Cryer, and Attendants—And then Lisandro, and Hortensia guarded.
Att.
That Equitie and Iustice both may meet,
In paralels, like to Apollo's Twinnes,
We haue ordayn'd this Session. In the which
Let all vnequall and impartiall thoughts
Be laid aside, with such regard of truth,
As not the name of Daughter, or the Bloud
Which we call ours, running in her veines,
May any way diuert vs. Therefore goe on,
And take your seat, stout Champion, and preuaile,
As is the truth you deale for, in this doubtfull,
Mis.
So I wish—
Passe to his seat with Trumpets.
Enter to them Aurelia, leading Atlanta, Loretta, and two or three more women.
Aur.
Braue Amazonian beautie, learned Atlanta,
Now is it time your intellectuall powers,
Of wit and iudgement shou'd aduance themselues
Against the forked tongues of Slanderers,
That pierce the spotlesse innocence of women,
And poyson sweetnesse with the breath of Malice.
So on, and take thy seat! It is our trust,
Th'euent will prosper, for our cause is iust.
Atlan.
That makes me confident—
Passe to the seat.
Att.
Prepare the Court.
Cry.
O yes! O yes! O yes! If there be any man—or
woman—in this Honourable Court—that can produce
—any lawfull cause—against either of the Aduocates
—why they should not bee admitted—Let
them now speake, or for euer hereafter hold their peace—
Att.
'Tis well. Now sweare the Iudges.
Not.
Yee shall sweare by the sacred hand of Atticus,
not to respect the person of either of the Offendors: but
iustly and truly to waigh and ballance the Reasons and
Arguments of the deputed Aduocates, and thereupon
to determine and proceed in iudgement, according to the
Lawes of this Iland, as you tender the pleasure of Royall
Atticus.
Both Iudg.
To this we freely sweare.
Att.
Now then, to your Arguments.
Aur.
Atlanta, for poore innocent women.
Att.
Misogynos for the men.
Atlan.
It is an honour farre beyond my weaknesse,
(Most equall Iudges) that I am accepted,
I but a woman, before men to plead,
Dumbe feare and bashfulnesse to speake before
That can at euery breathing pause, correct
The slipp'ry passages of a womans speech:
But yet withall my hopes are doubly arm'd.
1. Iudg.
How doubly arm'd?
2. Iudg.
Presume not more then Reason.
Atlan.
First, that my bashfull weaknesse claymes excuse,
And is to speake before such temp'rate Iudges,
Who in their wisdome will, no doubt, conniue
At small defects in me a silly woman.
1. Law.
Smoothly put on.
2. Law.
A quaint insinuation.
Atlan.
Next, that the cause I handle, is so iust,
And full of truth, as were corruption seated
Vpon your hearts (as who can euer doubt
Wisdome shou'd so decline) I wou'd not feare,
But that my pregnant Reasons soone shou'd purge,
And clense your secret bosomes from vntruth.
1. Law.
A promising Exordium.
2. Law.
The successe is all.
Atlan.
I need not tell you what I come to prooue:
That rayling Woman-hater hath alreadie
With his foule breath belcht forth into the Ayre,
The shamelesse cause in question, and doth charge
The supple wax, the courteous natur'd woman,
As blamefull for receiuing the impression
Of Iron-hearted man, in whom is grauen,
With curious and deceiuing Art, foule shapes
And stamps of much abhord impietie.
Wou'd any man, once hauing fixt his Seale
To any Deed, though after he repent
The Fact so done, rayle at the supple Wax,
As though that were the cause of his vndoing?
O idle leuitie! Wax hath's vse,
And woman easly beares the mans abuse.
1. Law.
Here's a by-blow.
How can my Fencer ward it?
Stay: he comes on.
Mis.
Hum. Doe you wax vpon me? as if man
Once hauing fixt the Seale of Armes of loue,
On waxen-harted woman, though another
Came after him, and did adulterate
The stampe imprinted on her, she, forsooth,
Must still be held excus'd. 'Tis weake, and fond,
And woman-like: you flye on waxen wings,
That melt against the Sunne. Therefore attend,
And I will proue vnto this honour'd Court,
In all their passions women are impetuous,
And beyond men, ten times more violent.
Atlan.
I grant you that. But who begins the motion,
And is first agent? for as I conceiue,
That's the cause in question.
Mis.
Deluding woman.
Atlan.
Flattring and periur'd man.
Mis.
Did not th'inticing beautie of a woman,
Set Troy on fire?
Atlan.
Did not man first begin
To tempt that beautie with the fire of lust?
Mis.
Beautie first tempts to lust.
Atlan.
Lust tempteth Beautie:
Witnesse the vowes, the oaths, the protestations,
And Crocadile teares of base dissembling men,
To winne their shamelesse purpose: Where of missing,
Then but obserue their Gifts, their Messages,
Their wanton Letters, and their amorous Sonnets,
Whereby they vent the smoke of their affections,
Readie to blind poore women, and put out
The Eye of Reason. But if still they faile,
Then come they on with vndermining cunning,
And with our Maides, our Pages and Attendants,
Corruptly worke and make insinuation,
Whilst they at hand with fained languishment,
When they but swelter in the reeke of Lust.
But heere's not all: for if this all preuaile not,
Then are they vp againe, and with pale cheekes,
Like some poore Starueling, or some Mimick Ghost,
They stalke into the presence of their Mistris,
Fold vp their armes, hang downe their wanton heads,
Cast loue-sicke glances, and as wofull Comma's,
In this dumbe Oratorie, now and then they breathe
A passionate sigh, whereat the gentle nature
Of milde compassionate woman once relenting,
Straight they fall out into such sweet complaints
Of their sad suffrings, tuning words of Art,
Able to melt a gentle Eye in teares,
As they doe speake. Then with officious dutie,
They licke a Moat off from her vpper garment,
Dust her curl'd Ruffe with their too busie finger,
As if some dust were there: and many toyes
They vse to please, till side by side they ioyne,
And palme with palme supplies the amorous heart,
To pay a wanton kisse on Loues faire lips,
And then the Prize is wonne. Iudge therefore, Lords,
Whether the guilt doth lye on vs or them,
And as your Wisdomes find, saue or condemne.
A Plaudite by the women, with shouts, crying, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta!
Lisan.
Truth hath she said in all.
Hart.
O, but the Art of Woman—
1. Iud.
Silence! you haue no voice in Court.
2. Iud.
You haue your Aduocates, therefore must not speake.
1. Law.
These Allegations are vnanswerable.
2. Law.
The Court must needs allow them.
Mis.
Bragge not too fast! for all this glorious speech,
Is but a painted Pageant, made to vsher
Some homely Scauenger, and is borne vp,
To carrie State, and vsher learned Iudgement
Into this Court. For what a foolish reason,
Is it to say, Lust tempteth garish Beautie,
Because men court their wanton Mistresses,
In sundry formes of Complement? There's not
A Citie Tradesman throughout all the Streets,
From the East Chappell, to the Westerne Palace,
But knowes full well the garish setting out
Of Beautie in their shops, will call in Customers
To cheapen ware: Beautie set forth to sale,
Wantons the bloud, and is mans tempting Stale.
1. Law.
How boldly he comes on?
2. Law.
But marke his reasons.
Mis.
And this is woman, who well knowes her strength,
And trimmes her Beautie forth in blushing Pride,
To draw as doth the wanton Morning Sunne,
The eyes of men to gaze. But marke their natures,
And from their Cradles you shall see them take
Delight in making Babies, deuising Christnings,
Bidding of Gossips, calling to Vp-sittings,
And then to Festiuals, and solemne Churchings,
In imitation of the wanton ends,
Their riper yeeres will ayme at. But goe further,
And looke vpon the very Mother of Mischiefe,
Who as her Daughters ripen, and doe bud
Their youthfull Spring, straight she instructs them how
To set a glosse on Beautie, adde a lustre
To the defects of Nature, how to vse
The mysterie of Painting, Curling, Powdring,
And with strange Periwigs, pin knots, Bordrings,
To deck them vp like to a Vintners Bush,
For men to gaze at on a Midsummer Night.
1. Law.
The tyde begins to turne.
2. Law.
Women goe downe.
Mis.
This done, they are instructed by like Art,
With all their Sutors, Friends, and Fauourites,
When to deny, and when to feed their hopes,
Now to draw on, and then againe put off,
To frowne and smile, to weepe and laugh out-right,
All in a breath, and all to trayne poore man
Into his ruine: Nay, by Art they know
How to forme all their gesture, how to adde
A Uenus Mole on euery wanton cheeke,
To make a gracefull dimple when she laughes:
And (if her teeth be bad) to lispe and simper,
Thereby to hide that imperfection:
And these once learn'd, what wants the Tempter now,
To snare the stoutest Champion of men?
Therefore, graue Iudges, let me thus conclude:
Man tempts not woman, woman doth him delude.
A Plaudite by the Men with shouts, crying, Misogynos, Misogynos, Misogynos!
1. Law.
Women, looke to't, the Fencer giues you a veney.
2. Law.
Beleeue it, he hits home.
Mis.
Nay, I wou'd speake.
What Tyrannies, Oppressions, Massacres,
Women stand guiltie of: and which is more,
What Cities haue beene sackt and ruinate,
Kingdomes subuerted, Lands depopulated,
Monarchies ended? and all these by women.
Atlan.
Base snarling Dogge, bite out thy slandrous tongue,
And spit it in the face of Innocence,
That at once all thy rancour may haue end:
And doe not still opprobriously condemne
Woman that bred thee, who in nothing more
Is guiltie of dishonour to her Sex:
But that she hath brought forth so base a Viper,
As thou hast done.
Mis.
O doe not scold, good woman!
1. Iud.
Goe to the purpose.
Atlan.
I forgot my selfe:
Therefore, graue Iudges, let this base Impostor
Tell me one man that euer gaue his life,
To keepe his vow safe and inuiolate,
Against the assaults of Lust: and for that one,
Ile find a thousand women, that to keepe
Their Chastities and Honours vndefil'd,
Haue laid their liues downe at base Tyrants feet.
A Plaudite by Women, crying, Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta!
1. Law.
This is but a flourish.
2. Law.
The Fencers Schoole-play beares it.
Mis.
What hath beene is not now: The Kalender
Of Women-Saints is fild vp long agoe:
For now a vniuersall leprosie,
Like to an Inundation, ouer-flowes,
And breakes vpon you all: scarce one is free
From wanton lightnesse and vaine leuitie.
Atlan.
None like to Nero, and Heliogabulus.
Mis.
Yes, wanton Hellen and Cleopatra.
Atlan.
I cou'd name more.
Mis.
I, ten for one, of Women.
Atlan.
Sense-pleasing Sardanapalus is beyond
All Women that can be nam'd.
Mis.
Ile name you one
Beyond all Men, th'insatiate Messalina:
Who when she had to satisfie her lust,
Imbrac'd the change of Louers, and was weakened
So farre, she could no longer hold it out:
And being askt if then she were satisfied,
She answerered, No: for though she then were tyr'd,
A Plaudite by the Men, crying, Misogynos, Misogynos, Misogynos.
Atlan.
O monstrous impietie!
Aur.
Stop the Detractors mouth: Away with him.
Women.
Teare him in pieces.
Not.
Silence in the Court.
Attic.
It is enough: my Lords, proceed to iudgement;
And lead away Misogynos to his Chamber.
The two Lawyers lead Misogynos away.
1. Iudge.
Read the decree.
Not.
We the sworne Iudges of this present Court,
In equall ballance hauing weigh'd the reasons,
And allegations of both Aduocates,
In their late Declamations, doe adiudge,
And here conclude that—
Attic.
Read out.
Not.
That women are the first and worst temptations
To loue and lustfull folly: and to this
We are here present, ready to subscribe.
Atlan.
You are impartiall, and we doe appeale
From you to Iudges more indifferent:
You are all men, and in this weightie businesse,
Graue Women should haue sate as Iudges with you.
Aur.
'Tis true, 'tis true: Let vs haue iustice.
Attic.
It is decreed already; attend the iudgement
Aur.
Yet at the last let your Aurelia kneele,
And for the Offspring of your loynes and mine,
Begge fauour.
Attic.
Peace.
Aur.
You alwayes haue bin iust
In other causes; Will you in your owne
Be so vniust, seuere, nay tyrannous?
The very Beasts, by naturall instinct,
More cruell and vnnaturall then they?
Attic.
Arise; and know, A King is like a Starre,
By which each Subiect, as a Mariner,
Must steere his course. Iustice in Vs is ample,
From whom Inferiors will deriue example.
Aur.
Oh, be not so obdurate!
Attic.
I'le heare no more.
Atlan.
Yet, gracious Sir, for my indeuouring paines,
(Though fruitlesse now) let mee (a Stranger) beg
One boone—
Attic.
But not the the freedome of Leonida.
Atlan.
Since she must die; I beg she may not basely
Be hurried forth amongst vnciuill men;
But that your Queene, and I, and some few others,
With any one of your attendant Lords,
May see her execution.
Attic.
Take your desire.
Leo.
The blessed Heauens be thankfull to Atlanta.
Lis.
And crowne her with all blessings.
Attic.
Take my thanks too. And now, my Lords, proceed,
And giue your finall censure.
Exit Attic.
Cornets, a flourish.
Au.
Come, Atlanta, come;
Teares fill mine eyes, and Griefe doth strike me dumbe.
Exit Aur. Atlan. and all the Women.
1. Iudge.
Leonida, By the iudgement of this Court,
You are found guiltie as the Principall,
In the offence committed; for which, we doome you
(According to the Lawes of this our Iland)
To lose your Head.
2. Iudge.
And you withall, Lisandro,
By the like Law, must within fifteene daies,
Betake you to perpetuall banishment.
Leo.
Welcome, sweet death.
Nothing can expiate
The Kings seuere Decree, and Her hard fate.
Exeunt.
| Svvetnam, the VVoman-hater, arraigned by women | |