 | The Two Noble Ladies |  |
Act. 4.
Sce. 1.
Alarme.Enter [Miranda sol[ileg.]] Colactus wounded with his sword drawn,
Colactus.
What furie brought this Clitophon to feild?
he fights as Victorie weare fall'n in loue
with[e] him, and the relentlesse fates themselues
durst not oppose his valour. he deales his blows
as if we need not wish a greater honour [the]
then to be beaten by him. with him comes
second to his bravadoes a young man,
whō (had hee been a woman) by his face
I should persuade my selfe to be Miranda:
at mee his only ayme is, and so fiercely
that I come of thus wounded from his hand.
The day is surely lost, and I must shift
away for help; else shall I bleed to death.
Exit.
Sce. 2.
Alarm still.Enter Miranda with her sword drawn.
Miranda.
What squadron Leads Lysander? this keen sword
has digg'd my way through many a bleeding bulke
to finde him out; and yet we cannot meet.
Colactus I haue often singled out,
and though his basenesse weare not worth my wounds,
this hand hath lent him some. Young Clitophon
fiercely pursues my father, whose distresse
can finde no rescue: weare Lysander there
would hee haue suffred it? no through the throng
hee like a whirlewinde would teare ope his way
to meet the fierce youth with amazing strokes.
he's absent sure: pray heau'n hee bee not slayne.
slayne did I say? fie, fie that cannot bee
surely that feare came from my sex, not mee.
flourish and Shout within.
Ha! then our day is lost, and wee haue wonne.
Our Souldan's fled, or slayne, or taken sure;
and wee of Babilon are conquerers.
What opposition of the heau'nly lights
was midwife to the birth of my crosse fate?
first change my contrey, and myne owne attire;
then charge my father as my greatest foe;
backe his moste enimies impugn his frends;
ffor thee Lysander haue I done all this.
[Flourish.] & [Sennet.] Enter in state the Califfe, Clitophon leading the Souldan bound; noblemen, and souldiers.
Miranda.
[Tru] Too true was my suspicion; o my fate[,]!
that I a naturall childe should thus behold
My father thrall vnto his enimie,
and I a partner in the victorie!
Califfe.
Now art thou prisoner proud Egyptian.
Souldan.
what is my ransom, and it shall be payd.
Clitophon.
All Affricke shall not buy thee backe againe.
Souldan.
Death with redeem me then.
Califfe.
Proud Souldan know,
thou now shalt stoop to vs, and thy wilde pride
be turn'd to humble tamenesse.
Souldan.
Dost thou thincke [in]
Insulting Califfe, that the [li] Lyon trembles
at crowing of a cocke, because ould tales
so still'd the infant world? weare it a truth,
yet my contempt of thrall[,] shall make't appeare
I haue the Lions courage, not his feare.
Califfe.
Are you so stout? cast that ambitious beast
downe at our feet, [that I ma] leuell him with the ground,
that [I] wee may trample on his stubborn necke,
and as his pride has made him menace heau'n,
so let him proue the humblest on the earth.
Souldan.
Seeke not so basely to abuse a prince
of my Imperiall state; set downe my ransome
Clitophon.
What randsom can a beggar spoyl'd of all
render his lord? all that thou hadst is ours.
Souldan.
wee loose not all our fortunes in one feild.
Califfe.
Yes, and thy life, vnlesse thou stoop and kneele.
Souldan.
Ile stoop to none, but to the Roman Empire.
Califfe.
wee'l force thee stoop to vs, and grouell flat
whyle on thy backe we tread. throw down [our] my slaue:
Shall I endure to see my father trod on?
Great prince desist from this vndecent force;
I should haue some share in this victory
Califfe.
Braue youth, thy valour shall be recompens'd
with honours and promotions: but in this
what canst thou aske? or what is this to thee?
Miranda.
My courage is not quickend with rewards,
nor will I serve but to a [valiant] vertuous prince.
I tell thee [mightie] cruell Califfe, I repent mee
that I haue fought, and ventur'd life for him
that houlds no measure in his happinesse.
This tyrannie staynes all thy victorie:
Califfe.
This to a tyrant is no tyrannie.
Miranda.
Tis tyrannie thus to abuse his age,
to tread that reverent body vnderfoote,
whose head has been impal'd with diamonds
as rich as thine.
Califfe.
How Armidan! so bould?
My royall father; let this controversie.
by my Iustina be decided, shee
has by the Souldan suffer'd vtter ruine,
which makes her iustly hate him. if she say,
Let him be made your footstoole; he shall bow
mauger all pleading. but if she remitt,
your lesser iniuries may spare this spite.
Califfe.
She is vnfit to iudge, and farre to fetch.
Clitophon.
how! farre to fetch? I left her to your trust,
and in your safeguard I expect to finde her.
Then call her forth; here haue I brought your foe,
My promise is perform'd, let yours be so.
bring me my bride.
Califfe.
Thy bride has left thee sonne.
Clitophon.
Left me? it cannot be beleeu'd; good Sir,
let one right word vnriddle that same Left.
I know Iustina would not leaue my loue
till life left her.
Califfe.
Your selfe resolues the riddle.
Clitophon.
Is she then dead?
Califfe.
She is, and with her die
thy fond loue.
Clitophon.
O perfidious crueltie!
Could you doe this? the panthers breath is sweet,
but hee nere to be tam'd; with words perfum'd
You gaue her hand to myne, and made her gird
my sword on whyle your vnrelenting heart
forg'd daggers gainst her life. Could you doe this?
and could that innocent sweetnesse that would tempt
Iove to transforme his godhead to some beast
to faune [vp]on her, [[illeg.]] persuade no pitty from [thee] you?
When Iove appear'd a beast, his minde was milde;
When beasts weare human shapes, they'r fierce and wilde.
Would you my loue should die to my Iustina?
No, it shall euer liue; but die to thee
The name of father shall both die and rot;
and Babilon[,] for euer be forgot.
Come hither Souldan.
Califfe.
What intends my sonne?
Clitophon.
Sweare by thy gods to doe what I enioyne thee,
and ransomlesse I here will set thee free.
Califfe.
The Gods looke on thy madnesse.[, Clitophon]
Souldan.
Clitophon,
By lion form'd Isis, on whose altars
Virgins are yearly sacrific'd; by Apis;
hawkebill'd Osiris; th'vnknowne head of Nile;
Dogfac'd Anubis; Cow-converted Io:
By Memnons halfe [face] shape that sends forth a sound
[that] charm[es]ing the eare with wonder and affright:
By all the Gods of Egypt, whatsoere[r]
I may with honour [graunt,] doe shall be [effect] perform'd.
Clitophon.
Then freely goe; but speedyly returne[,]
Sacke mee this Cittie, leaue not a tow'r vncast;
revenge mee on this Califfe, race his name
out of the royall list of Kings.
Califfe.
Art madde?
thou shalt not free him.
Clitophon.
Hee's my prisoner,
and Ile dispose of him.
Souldan.
Is this my ransome?
Clitophon.
This only.
Souldan.
By the solemne oath I tooke
thy wish shall be effected; tyrant, now
[remember] thincke on a footstooles place; 'tis [now] thy turne next.
Califfe.
Shall we so loose him? [Kill him] Souldiers, kill him first.
Clitophon.
who ere resist the Souldans passage, this
his sword.
shall be theyr passe to hell.
Miranda.
(asside.)
happy dissention
that frees my royall father from base thrall.
Souldan.
Califfe farewell; adue braue Clitophon;
thanckes for this noble kinde condition.
Exit Souldan.
Clitophon.
Depart in peace, and keep thy promise Souldan.
Califfe.
Vngracious youth, what has thy madnesse done?
fetch backe the Souldan, or by all the gods
Ile curse thee, disinherit thee of raigne,
and—
Clitophon.
Tush, distribute thy inheritance,
give me instead of it thy cruell curse;
Thou hast depriv'd me of my l[ife]oue, thats worse.
ffarewell vnworthy of so kinde a sonne;
farewell my countrey, frends and all farewell;
farewell good Armidan, braue gentleman;
farewell my souldiers; for Iustina's losse
farewell all ioy: greife-conquerd I depart
Leauing my fortunes here with her my hart.
Exit Clitophō.
Califfe.
Stay Clitophon, forget not duty thus.
had you remembred mercie to [your] his loue,
you had prevented this ill threatning anger.
Califfe.
Wretched'st of men! Lords call him backe againe.
The Souldiers drop away.
What, will my souldiers follow Clitophon
and leaue me singly to oppose the Souldan?
O stay, and pitty Babilons distresse
in travaile with extremities of warre.
Like Autumne leaues the glories of my state
fall so fast from mee, that [like] as a winters tree[s]
I naked stand subiect to eu'ry storme.
What counsell lords? is there no way to safety?
Miranda.
I haue a proiect if it rightly hit,
and be by you approv'd that doubtlesse shall
either make you the victor, or at least
saue the great hazard of much bloud and daunger.
Califfe.
What proiect noble Armidan can proue
so able as thy words would warrant?
This:
Send straight a challenge to th'Egyptian camp,
dare the proud Souldan to make choyse of one
of his cheife leaders, in a single fight
to be his champion, and maintaine his right;
By name Lysander his cheife generall.
If hee consent, Ile meet him in the feild,
And either die, or make that champion yeild.
Califfe.
The Topaze has the vertue to stop bloud,
and appease furie; both these precious pow'rs
thy counsaile brings with it, couragious Knight.
Thou hast recomforted my fainting minde;
and art to mee my sonne, my ioy, my hope.
Call straight a herald, let him be dispatch'd
vpon this message. Ile vp to the walls,
and see them strongly man'd: then to the temple
to woe the gods to send thee from aboue
successefull victorie to crown thy loue.
Exit with Lords.
Miranda.
Now if this challenge take, I haue my wish.
I shall behould Lysander once againe;
and hope this enterview shall worcke a peace
betwixt our Egypt and this Babilon.
This time of absence sure hath qualified
My fathers foule desire; and then I trust
Lysanders loue shall end a fathers lust.
Exit.
Sce. 3.
Enter Barebones and Cantharides.Barebones.
O the devill, that euer a man should loue a woman truly! [I could]
I could not be content to enioy[s] Caro as my concubine which in that
humor she would willingly haue been; but I must marrie her with
a murren. And now the power of the charme is spent, and she
come to her selfe againe, she is mad at her match, hates me, rayles
at mee, vows to my teeth to [mak] cuckold mee, and like a moste cruell
creature all her delight is in Bloud: she hangs about his necke
them together, and so make a halter to hang my selfe withall.
Nay though she cares not for Sinew, yet before me she will kisse
him, and com̄end him, only to vex me. O Cantharides, why
did your charme last no longer?[,] I would haue had her kept in that
minde euer.
Cantharides.
O sir, all the Deuills in hell cannot make a woman constant.
Barebones.
I beleeue it, for constancie is a vertue, and the Devill has nothing
to doe with it. But thou canst keep her in vnconstancie, and
after she has held her hatefull humor a while, thou canst make
her louing againe; canst thou not?
Cantharides.
Yes, I can claw her into loue of you againe presently.
Barebones.
O no, no, not so soone good Cantharides, that loue is but lust,
And my poore bones haue spent so much marrow vpon her allready
that my stocke is not sufficient to satisfie her ramping humor yet.
Cantharides.
Well, for good fellowship sake, because wee both serve [both] one
Master, Ile finde another tricke to fetch you out of the briars.
Barebones.
Wilt thou [deare] Cantharides? doe it; and I will feed thee
with syrups and sweet meats, my pretty humble bee. but how? but how«?[OMITTED]»
why you know the flie Cantharides bites so venomously that he will
make any man madde for the time. now Ile bite some of them out
Ent.
of these fancies into other humors.
Enter Bloud & Caro embracing.
Barebones.
Gramercie for that my deare devills-bit.
See where Bloud and she come together. o my head how it akes
to see this sight. but remember thy promise Cantharides.
stands close.
Caro.
Sweet Bloud, I thancke thee that thou hast forgiven my madnesse
was euer woman so besotted, to forsake court sweetmeats to
gnaw vpon bare-bones wc
h is but dogs meat!
Bare-bones.
She shews her selfe a Bloud-hound, yet scornes to feed with dogs.
Caro.
(asside ... )
The slaue feeles in his bed like a bakers dried bavin,
a smooth round billet weare a princely bed fellow to him[,].
(asside ... )
O my sides and hips, how sore they are with the grateing of his
elbows and hucklebones!
Barebones.
O damnable changeling!
(asside)
[and] when she felt mee first in bed,
she cried the nearer the bone the sweeter the flesh.
Bloud.
ffaith Barebones will get on thee such infant anatomies, that
the Surgeons will buy them vp to saue them selues the labour
of making Sceletons.
Caro.
Sweet, shall you and I haue a match at shittlecocke?
Bloud.
O you are too quicke for mee in flying from one to another.
Barebones.
(asside.)
I, Ile sweare is she.
Caro.
Then let's play at laugh and liedowne.
Bloud.
Content, and Ile shew thee a courtiers bounty, giue the a green gowne.
Barebones.
Hold Mr. Courtier; green is not fit colour for a schollers
wife to weare.
Caro.
Avaunt thou map of miserie, thou relique of a long consumption,
thou fag end of a devouring famine: dost thou thincke
I can content my selfe with a gaunt thingutted rawbon[e]'d
booke-ruffler? who art halfe purblinde with ouer poring,
and hast distilled thy braynes into thyne inckhorne. no, no;
therfore stay not here to stop my delight, lest I make thee
pandar to thyne owne hornes.
Barebones.
O impudence. now help Cantharides.
Enter Sinew disguised with a letter.
Cantharides.
Time enough, I warrant you. feare not.
By your leaue gentlemen; is there not a gentleman here
called Mr. Bloud, an attendant on the lord Colactus?
Bloud.
Yes sir, what with him?
Sinew.
This letter from your Lord: I came in haste from the campe
to bring it you.
Bloud.
I would your haste had been lesse. sweet loue I must leaue
thee; my lord has sent for me in earnest speed.
Barebones.
O ioyfull news! and in moste happie time.
Sinew.
(asside.)
My counterfet letter takes most wishedly.
Caro.
Must it be so? then Ile along with thee. nothing shall part vs now.
Barebones.
O hell-bred wildefier can nothing quench thee!
Sinew.
(asside ... )
death [[illeg.]], then is my plot confounded.
( ... asside)
Nay sir you must not carry a clog along with you. your
haste is of more importance. so please you, Ile bring her
after you.
Bloud.
I will rather venture a little of my Lords displeasure sir,
then leaue her behinde.
ffie, this worse and worse.
Cantharides.
Now is my cue.
Bites Bloud by the arme. he starts from Caro, and runnes vp and downe hollaing: so Exit.
Caro.
Amazement
falls vpon me: how comes this?
Is Bloud vnwilling, I should goe with him
that in this madde forme he outrunnes mee thus?
Barebones.
O excellent Cantharides: now begins thy sport.
Sinew.
This is a strange, but happie accident.
how it befell Ile stand not to enquire; but take the opportunitie
and shew my selfe. Deare Caro, you may see a courtiers
loue is quickly tyr'd; now my disguise is of, you know mee
for your souldier. I tried Bloud with this counterfet message
and you see he is not pure; for hee is glad of the occasion
to shift his hands of you. Now looke on mee, your constant
Sinew that will neuer shrincke.
Caro.
Villayn tis thou hast rob'd me of my ioy, and made my bloud
runne from me: my cheeks shall looke pale vpon thee for it,
and my hart hate thee.
Sinew.
Are all the hopes of my plot come to this?
Cantharides bites him.
hart, what's that bites mee.
He draws his sword and runns vp and downe crying sa sa sa tarararara; so Exit.
Caro.
O excellent, he that certaynly made
Bloud mad; is falln franticke himselfe. I would wish no more
but that Barebones weare in the same case too.
Cantharides.
And you shall haue your wish for once:
Bites Barebones.
Barebones.
So, so; this is braue. thancks for this, Cantharides. Ough,
Amo amas, he thats[[illeg.]] in loue is an asse.
As in præsenti, one woman will make twenty.
Quod dat in datitum, [he that] giue them their due and smite um.
[when] if the sight of theyr husbands affright um;
then shall Cantharides bite um;
and there's the straight um et right um.
Exit.
Caro.
ha ha ha ha ha. some pow'r aboue has heard my wish. o let
mee laugh my belly full.
Cantharides.
So thou shalt, and till thou art wearie.
Bites her. She starts, runns vp and down laughing. & so exit.
hoh, hoh, ho. Now has my devill-ship had sport enough.
with my familiar Barebones and his mates.
Now let them shift: Ile leaue them to their fates.
Exit.
Sce. 4.
[Hoboys]A Dumb Shew.
Enter at one Dore the Souldan with souldiers, from the other a Herald meets him, delivers him a paper. The Souldā sends in a souldier, who brings Lysander. Hee kneels, the Souldan embraces him, and shews him the paper, hee kisses it, beckons to the Herald, houlds out the paper with his left hand and lays his right hand on his sword. With courtesy they part. The Souldan and Herald goe of severally. Lysander stays.
Lysander.
How princes when they stand in need of men
can faune vpon their subiects! the proud Souldan
that lately banisht me the camp, in haste
now sends for mee, embraces, honours mee
with wishing I had led his army vp
he had not tane the foyle. And now from thence
a challenge comes, from one call Armidan,
who singles mee by name to combat him,
to cleare the right of both the royalties.
I've vndertaken it; and the Herald's gone
to beare my answer backe. Thus tyrants doe,
wrong those they may be moste behoulding to.
Exit.
Sce. 5.
Enter Cyprian and Iustina.Cyprian.
Doe not disdayne faire peece of Natures pride
to heare him plead for loue that sau'd thy life.
It was my pow'rfull arte produc'd those monsters
to drown those [more more then] monstrous [m]executioners
that should haue wrought your wracke.
Iustina.
Sir, I am sorry
hell had a hand in my deliuery.
That action cannot merrit my affection.
Cyprian.
I not alleadge it for desert of grace,
but argument of mercie; pitty him
that in distresse so lately pitty'd you.
Iustina.
I am the troth-plight wife of Clitophon
the prince of Babilon, hee has my hart,
and there's no share for others.
Cyprian.
That high state is now at a low ebbe, destruction
hangs like a threatning com̄et ore the walls
of Babilon: Then fix [your] thy loue on him
that can more then the greatest prince on earth.
Loue mee, and princes shall thy pages bee.
[Great Kings] monarchs shall lay their crownes and royalties
as presents at thy feet. The Indian mines
shall be thy ioynture; all the worlds rich marchants
shall bring their pearles and pretious stones to thee,
sweet gum̄s and spices of Arabia;
fair Median Linnen, and Barbarian silkes;
but thou shalt taste it. weele transforme our selues
in quaintest shapes to vary our delights;
and in a chariot wrought out of a cloud
studded with starres, drawne through the subtle aire
by birds of paradise, wee'l ride together
to fruitfull Thessalie, where in faire Tempe
(the only pleasant place of all the earth)
wee'l sport vs vnder a pavilion [of]
of Tyrian scarlet.
Iustina.
Should these vanities
(faithlesse as are your wondrous promises)
lead me into the hazard of my soule
and losse of such ay-lasting happinesse.
as all earthes glories are but shaddows to?
Cyprian.
Thincke you this rare pile of perfection
wherein Loue reads a lecture of delight
in euery thing that liues, the very sunne
does burne in loue; while wee partake his heate.
the clyming [yu] ivy with her louing twines
clips the strong oake. No skill of surgerie
can heale the wounds, nor oceans quench the flames
made by all pow'rfull loue. witnesse [your] my selfe,
Since first the booke of your perfections
was brought so neare that I might read it ore,
I haue red in it charmes to countermand [al]
all my enchantments, and enforce mee stoop
to begge your loue.
Iustina.
How ere you please to stile
a lustfull appetite, it takes not mee.
Heau'n has my vow, my life shall neuer bee
elder then my vnstain'd virginitie.
Cyprian.
Virginitie! prize you so dearely that
wc h com̄on things cast of? marcke but the flow'rs
that now as morning fresh, fragrant and faire
lay ope their beautys to the courting sunne;
and among'st all, the modest mayden rose:
These wanton with the aire vntill vnleau'd
they die, and so loose their virginitie.
Iustina.
In India there is a flow'r (they say)
which, [when] if a man come neare it, turnes away:
By that I learne this lesson to descrie
corrupt temptations, and the tempter flie.
Exit Iustina.
Cyprian.
So cold, and coy? [you] I must not [scape me] loose you so:
My boyling bloud forbids it. my blacke arte
shall make your white thoughts like it. Now's the tyme
fit by Lysanders absence: hell shall force her
to offer vp that Iewell of delight
which. miserlike she yet locks vp in coynesse.
with greater heat she shall desire her rape
then I haue done. [these] Hells hookes she cannot scape.
Exit.
| The Two Noble Ladies | |