University of Virginia Library

Act. 5.

Sce. 1.

[Flourish]
Enter Claudius a Roman Generall with Captains and Souldiers.
Claudius.
The pride of Egypt, and the noyse of warre
in Babilon, rouzeth our Roman troups
to call these princes to a strict account
of all their vsurpations. Is not Rome
Empresse of all this orbe? doe not her Eagles
hatch conquest in their flight, and with theyr wings
Compasse all Europ, affricke, Asia?
What's Egypt, but a handmaid to great Rome;
her very vassall, yet she dares vsurp
on Nicomedia, Antioch, and Damasco.
Yea, Alexandrian drum̄s affright the walls
of ancient Babilon, without our leaue.
A while we sate, and gaue each neighbour prince
leaue to clip short his prouder fellows wing
that all might bee the better aw'd by vs,
But now the Souldan gets such haughtie head,
that (if not soone restrayn'd) hee'l suddainly
cast of our yoake, and raise his monarchy.
Therfore haue wee gather'd our warlike pow'[e]rs
to checke his pride, and keep him humbly ours.
A drum̄ far off.
what sound of warre is that? scout, and descrie it.

Captaine.
A pow'r not great, but skillfully led on;
seeming to teach, that multitudes may fayle
when a few well trayn'd souldiers shall prevaile.
Their leader is but young, yet seemes full ripe;
for ancient souldiers serve him, and his lookes
at once promise and threaten, like a prince
that is both wise and valiant.

Claudius.
Y'haue display'd
their glories colours for them gallantly.
This way they come; wee'l stand them sure, and [try] know
whether to vs they menace warre or no.
Enter Clitophon with Captains and Souldiers.
whom doe yee souldiers seeke?

Clitophon.
ffor Claudius the Roman generall.

Claudius.
Then haue you found him, I'm that Claudius.

Clitophon.
Then thus wee vayle, and bow to Rome and thee,
as to the supreame head of maiestie.

Claudius.
Wellcom, and now relate the vrgent cause
that brings you thus vpon vs.

Clitophon.
Romans know
I am the Califfs sonne of Babilon,
whose forlorn countrey groanes to beare the weight
of armed enimies. Egyptian troups
flow like an inundation ore [the] our land
as Nilus oreflows Egypt: but where Nile
makes Egypt fruitfull, these make Syria barren.

Claudius.
Are you that Clitophon, whose valiant arme
tooke the proud Souldan prisoner?

Clitophon.
Sir I am:
and in a discontent freed him againe
vpon condition, that againe he should
set vpon Babilon; which hee performes;
I left it to his rage: but looking backe
vpon the bitter fruits of passion,
pitty my countrey and repent my furie.
And now am come to woo the strength of Rome
to help to plucke this sharp Egyptian thorne
out of the weeping eie of Babilon.

Claudius.
Stout prince you haue but met vs in the way:
for like a forward bride ere you could wooe
we weare præpar'[e]d to bring you your desires.

Clitophon.
Our Babilon is bound to honour Rome
for euer for this kindenesse. Noble Claudius,
march then, my hand full shall attend your troups.

Claudius.
Tyme sh[all]ould be pretious to vs, let vs on:
Claudius is proud to ioyne with Clitophon.

Exeunt.

Sce. 2.

Enter Cyprian solus.
Cyprian.
My charmes (mee thincks) worke slowly on this virgin,
as if they weare asham'd that I should need them:
But I in vayne haue vs'd all other helps.
The musicke of my words (wc h Orpheus harp
could not excell, when it made beasts draw neare)
is sung to the deafe adder in her [h] eares.
I am not old, nor runne my hot desires
in weake and frozen vessells. for my person,
It has been by the fairest valu'd so
As Nature has had thanckes for't: yet for her
I now am forc'd to be asham'd of Nature,
and make arte my procurer. Cantharides.

Enter Cantharides.
Cantharides.
Here.

Cyprian.
How fares my loue? does she yet talke of mee?
hast thou yet thaw'd her icie chastitie
into bloud warme desire?

Cantharides.
It is a taske
greater then euer Iuno did impose
on the vntir'd Alcides.

Cyprian.
How! Dull slaue;
ffetch vp thy fellow furies from the deep.
Call vp the Lust provokers from blacke hell
that reeking lie vpon their goat-hair'd beds.
present her fancie with lascivious visions
cast her into long sleeps, and let them bee
perpetuall dreames of lustfull actions.
Sing in her eares the scapes of Iupiter,
and in them sound the name of Cyprian.
Convey into the course meat she desires
Medicins provocative; tickle her flesh
with pensells made of Priapus rough locks;
and blast her perfumes with such raging charmes
as may enflame her womb with hot desires:
That all her senses may at once enforce
a carnall eagernesse to be enioy'd.

Cantharides.
All this is done allready.

Cyprian.
Let me see
this Christian Saint which I (in spite of hell)
am forc'd to worship.
Iustina is discovered in a chaire asleep, in her hands a prayer book, divells about her.
O how heau'nly sweet
she looks in midst of hells enchantments, and
charmes the fierce feinds at once with rage and wonder.
O who would thincke such contrarieties
could lodge in peace and amitie together!
A tender Body with a tyrant Minde;
hard bitter Kernell in a soft sweet Skin;
proud fierce Disdaine in so milde humble lookes;
A bloudy hart within a milke white breast,
and Ages winter in the spring of youth
resisting loues assaults.

Cantharides.
She's at thy mercie
dally not but enforce her.

Cyprian.
That abates of pleasures sweetnesse; if [I must be violent] such violence
must be the end yet the beginning shall
be milde, and I will steale into [its] my roughnesse
by soft gradations. let sweet musicke plead
with ravishing [tunes] notes to winne her maidenhead.
Musick. A song.
How fast shee's charm'd in sleep! But is it sleep?
haue yee not hell-hounds with too potent spells
giu'n her to death? She stirrs, and sleeps againe.

O no, she liues and moues.
How well that gentle motion did become her!
And yet how sweetly does this stillnesse shew!
If she did rise, and walke 'twould give a luster
to all her graces: but what need these shaddows
where substance is beyond expression.
To heare her speake were to mount heau'n and meet
the Sphæricke harmony, and yet this sylence
is womans vertue. If she did vnlidde
those yuory cases, 2. rich diamonds
would dazle humane eies, and tell the world
earth is too poore to [by] buy them. hide them still
Lest the bright starres seing them selues outshin'd
through envie make my loue disasterous.
Yet a while longer let thy senses sleep:
ffor if thou wake before the charme be done
Thou wilt not let mee touch thy lilly hand,
nor kisse thy [rosie lipp] rosy lipps; which now I can.

Hee offers to Kisse and she starts, wakes, and falls on her knees.
Iustina.
Forbid it heau'n.

Cyprian.
Is the enchantment spent,[?]
Or wilt not hold?
She looks in her booke, and the Spirits fly from her.
why doe yee flie and quake?
has this weake woman pow'r to make hell shake?

Cantharides.
Her prayers haue prævaild against our spells.

Cyprian.
Can you not worcke vpon her then?

Cantharides.
O no.
Her faith beats downe our incantations.

Cyprian.
Her ffaith? O how haue I mispent my tyme
That in my studdys could not finde this faith!
I did beleeue that Arte could teach the vse
and rule of all the world. Was not this ffaith?
I did beleeue that Arte could reach to hell
and thence fetch secrets vp surpassing arte.
Was not this ffaith? I did beleeue that hell
could all desires accomplish: But I finde
Beleefe is but deluded in this kinde.
This is not ffaith. O my ambitious labours
that could not bee content with human skill,
how are yee lost, and sham'd with womans learning!
I that haue frighted Empires, and held kings
in aw of mee, am now of arte disarm'd
by a weake womans ffaith. ffaire Christian
Hee kneels to her.
teach mee the sense and vse of this strong spell
call'd ffaith, that conquers all the pow'rs of hell;
and I will serve you: for without this knowledge
there is no liuing for mee

Iustina.
Thou sayst true,
without true ffaith there is no life indeed.

Cantharides.
What mean'st thou Cyprian, wilt turne Christian?

Cyprian.
Yes, if the Christian learning haue a power
greater then magicke. My deep searching soule
cannot be satisfied, but with that skill
that diues into the deepest misteries.

Iustina.
And there's no depth to true divinitie.

Cantharides.
Thou shalt haue greater pow'r conferr'd on thee
then ere thou hadst.

Cyprian.
Then giue mee pow'r to make
this beauty myne.

Cantharides.
Aske any thing but that:

Cyprian.
If ouer this weake peece hell haue no pow'r,
then there's a skill can make the weakest man
more potent then the strongest feind of hell;
and that shall be my studdy.

Iustina.
O bee firme
in that resolue, and thou shalt finde thy paynes
rightly bestow'd, and richly recompenc'd.

Cantharides.
Thou art[e] our slaue, and if thou leaue vs thus
wee'l teare thee into Atoms.

Iustina.
Doe not feare.
take here this booke; call on that pow'rfull name
those pray'rs so oft repeat, and I'l asist you.
The feinds roare and fly back.
See how they hurt you now, these are true charmes.

Cantharides.
Throw from thee that accursed witchery,
or wee'l torment thee with more horred paynes
then mans hart can imagine. Throw't away

[Cyprian.]
and thou shalt yet be pardon'd thy rebellion
against our kingdom.

Iustina.
Keep it Cyprian,
read in it still.

Cyprian.
I will.

Cantharides.
wee are confounded.
[Soft musicke.][Recorders.] Enter the patriarch-like Angell with his crossier staffe in one hand, and a book in [st] the other.
Hide vs yee mountaines, couer vs yee rockes;
Our com̄on torments now are trebled on vs.
O—O—O.

The Devills sinck roaring; a flame of fier riseth after them.
Angell.
Loe Cyprian, to keep my promise, here
againe I meet thee. at my sight with feare
the feinds are vanish'd, and shall nere come backe
to hurt thee; if thy faith thou dost not wracke.
And here's the cleare light which I promis'd thee;
this shews the blindenesse of philosophie.
gives him the Booke.
This studdy'd well, will teach thee faith, and bring
Thy happy soule where [happy] blessed angells sing.
with this touch, let thy carnall lust convert
Toucheth his breast with his crosse.
to loue of heau'n, let that delight thy harte.
And thou Iustina happie Christian maide,
Bee not hereafter of this man affrayde.
his hart is changed now, thy company
shall strengthen him in Christianitie.
Haste both of yee to meet with Clitophon
who with the Roman hoste comes marching on.
Tell him your story; 'twill his heart vnlocke;
Then with Lysander high to Antioch:
There shall you both (ere long) in Martyrdome
Mayntayne your faith, and meet the ioys to come.
Exit Angelus.

Iustina.
Thanckesto that only pow'r that hath so oft
preserv'd this clay from ruine, and restrayn'd
the malice of my Soules fierce enimie.

Cyprian.
What subsidies of thanckes am I to send
to highest heau'n for my redemption
that am deliuer'd from that burning pit;
to finde whose bottom, o what paynes I tooke!
Men without grace that wander[,] suffer much
only to finde out greater sufferings.
O take my sighs and groanes (thou gracious pow'r)
as part of gratitude till more acquaintance
make mee to serve thee with a knowing soule.
And blessed be Iustina, and the day
I first did see thee: yea my very lust
deserv's a blessed memorie, since that
was the first, though a foule step to this blisse.
And now in [witnesse] token of my [than] loue to heau'n,
This Arte wc h heretofore I so esteem'd
Thus I abandon,
Throws his charmed rod, and his books [into a] [under] the stage. a flame riseth.
and these curious bookes
thus sacrifice.
This sacred [th] trueth alone—
The Angells booke.
shall be my studdy, and my ill spent yeares
I expiate with pænitentiall teares.

Iustina.
I ioy at your conversion. heau'n thus brings
sweet out of bitter, best from worst of things.
But wee must now fullfill the will of heau'n,
in meeting Clitophon, and the Roman bands.

Cyprian.
Lets haste with ioy to what high heau'n com̄ands.

Exeunt.

Sce. 3a. et Vltima.

[Flourish.]
Enter at one dore the Souldan, Colactus, & Souldiers[OMITTED] at the other the Califfe, a Nobleman, Herald, & Souldier[OMITTED]
Califfe.
This is the time by either side præfix'd
to trie our royall titles. Both our armies
stand in a silent expectation of this acts issue, then ere day grow old[OMITTED]
(Souldan) let vs begin our plea, my fate
whether it turne to honour or to losse
shall finde my temper æqually præpard
to giue it [entertaine] a contented entertaine.

Souldan.
Lysander is my fate, and in his arme
I am assur'd of conquest. then begin.

Califfe.
Herald, first read the articles againe,
that what our selues in private haue allow'd,
Our subiects testimonies may confirme,
and bee our iury royall when the fight
has clear'd our claymes.

Herald
reads.

It is accorded between these two mighty princes, the
Souldan of Egypt, and the Califfe of Babilon, that to
avoyd the effusion of bloud, and depopulation of their [count]
countreys, the title of royaltie shall be decided by single
combat, and whose champion soeuer is ouercome, that side
to yeild as vanquished. If the Souldans champion [win[illeg.]]
winne the day, the Califfe shall yeild vp Babilon and all
his royall titles in Syria. And if the Califfes combatant
prevaile, then shall the Souldan surrender vp all the forts
he hath in Syria, renounce his claims of conquest, and
forsaking Babilon with his whole army, neuer returne to
offend these parts againe.

To these condicions you have both subscrib'd, and sworne.

Souldan & Califfe.
we haue.

Colactus.
Then bring the champions.

Souldan.
ffetch Lysander,

Califfe.
ffetch Armidan.

flourish. Enter Herald with Lysander in armour.
Souldan.
Lysander, on the fortune of thy arme
(which hitherto has led the fates in tryumph)
our glories rest, with thee they rise, or fall:
adde but this day to thy past victories,
and Babilon is added to our crowne.
but if this day thou loose (wc h cannot bee)
Our Syrian Conquests all with thee must die.
Then courage, conquer for thy selfe and vs.
what thou winn'st now, hereafter thine shall bee;
for wee'l elect no other heir but thee.

Lysander.
Thy promises great Souldan cannot raise
my courage higher then the scale of honour
hath lifted it allready. I'm præpar'd,
Nor will I weaken with superfluous words
my resolution. where's my opposite?
will hee loose so much honnour to be last,
that was the challenger?

Colactus.
we may beleeue
the Califfs conquer'd fortunes cannot arme
one that dares meet Lysander, but in words.

Lord of Babilon.
His slacknesse hee'l repaire [by] with his sound blows;
and then you'l say, the Califfe armes a man
dares meet, and beat the Souldans champion.

Flourish. Enter Herald, Miranda following him in her Owne Amazonian attire, an helmet on and the beavor down.
Colactus.
I cannot say the Califfe armes a man
If this outside speake truth: which I should know.

Souldan.
What spirit of illusion dares our eie!

Califfe.
This is not our elected champion,
we chose no woman; nor intend a maske.

Herald.
Sir, for some reasons to him selfe best known
he's thus disguisd, but this is Armidan.

Lysander.
Let not my courage melt away in wonder.
This [stature] stature, gesture, and this shape she own'd
that once was my Miranda. see by signes
it calls me on to combate. shall I fight
with one so like my loue? for her sake no[,]:
what ere you are graunt me to see your face.
before we fight.

[She lets him take of her helmet.]
Miranda.
Then shall Lysander see
he must be conquer'd by a woman.

She puts vp her beavor.
Lysander.
ha!
her voice; 'tis shee. a woman has indeed
orecome mee; dearest conqueresse I yeild.
this is the fight that best befits you sweet.

Miranda.
Thus Ladys strike their louers when they meet.
Lysander conquers mee; and thus I yeild.

Colactus.
How now! what kinde of combat call you this?

Lord of B.
This is fine fighting.

Califfe.
Traytrous Armidan.

Souldan.
Villaine Lysander.

Miranda.
Heare mee mightie princes.
To you great sir[,] I bend a daughters knee,
and beg at once your pardon and your blessing.

Souldan.
My daughter? o my shame!

Miranda.
yet heare mee sir.
Rage not to see Lysander yeild to mee;
Nor you to see mee yeild to my Lysander:
for thus you both are sauers, [neither] though both loose.
My yeilding giues the Califfs right to you,
his yeilding renders vp your right to him.
This offers an attonement [an atton] twixt you both[;]
if you accept it; and it was the end
I aim'd at in this challenge.

Souldan.
Rebellious wretch
thy oratory's odious as thy selfe.

Califfe.
Is Armidan a woman, and your daughter?

Souldan.
Califfe, what ere she was, I now disclayme her.
you tooke her for your champion,[s] now you see
her falshood merrits death, and so does his
[now] that I for my side chose. then doe to her
what I will to Lysander for revenge.

Draws his sword.
Califfe.
My wrongs invite me to it; she's a spie,
and in my court has liu'd an enimie.

Draws his sword.
Miranda.
'Tis kindely done yet that you'l kill vs both,
for one would not out liue the others death.

Alarme within
Souldan.
what meanes this? Califfe thou art treacherous.

Califfe.
Souldan 'tis thou. guard [th] vs, there's treason towards.

[OMITTED]ouldan.
To armes, the Babilonians would entrap vs.

Califfe.
To armes, th'Egyptians haue betray'd our liues.

Miranda.
what euer haps, I will not stirre from thee.

Lysander.
In life and death our loues vnited bee.

Enter Claudius with Souldiers at one dore, surpriseth the Califfe; Clitophon with souldiers, at the other, he seazeth the Souldan. enter Cyprian and Iustina.
Souldan.
now Califfe, what's this but thy treacherie?

Califfe.
Thou play'st the traitor, and accusest mee.

Clitophon.
Yeild Souldan, once againe thou art my prisoner.

Claudius.
In Romes great name I charge yee both to yeild.
princes your too ambitious discords here
with a displeasing voyce haue reach'd to Rome,
and call'd vs thence to stint this bloudy strife.
How dares the Souldan thus vsurp on kingdomes?
Thincke you in time to breake the dutious yoake
great Rome has cast about your stubbern neckes?

«o»uldan & Califfe.
No[w], wee submit to Romes supremacie.

Claudius.
Tis well; goe not about then to destroy
your neighbour kingdomes, nor to rayse your selues
to single monarchies; which Souldan, you
are playnly guilty of. for which wee double
your tribute for ten yeares, and charge you straight
deliuer vp your claymes in Syria:
Return to Egypt, and content your selfe
with your owne royalties. Say Cyprian,
is your Lysander here?

Cyprian.
This is the man.

«Cla»udius.
Souldan, this is the heir of Antioch.

Souldan.
I know it, and his names Eugenius;
At 2. years ould by spies he was surpriz'd,
and brought my father who did change his name,
and kept him from the knowledge of himselfe.

Lysander.
As you haue likewise done; and made me spoyle
my countrey, kill my kinred; heau'n forgiue me.

Claudius.
Twas too much wrong; therfore restore to him
his kingdome Souldan.

Souldan.
Since it must be so,
Eugenius take thy kingdom backe againe;
and with it (as a recompence of wrong
done to thee) take this iewell of thy life,
and the sole heir of Egypts diadem,
Miranda. let my faults be all forgot

[OMITTED]sander & Miranda.
Great sir, our voyce of thanckes shall drown their crie.

Claudius.
[Why this is] Souldan in this thou hast done [[illeg.]] worthyly.

Colactus.
The Gods be prays'd that the victorious faire
Miranda is thus fortunately found.

Miranda.
O, Lord Colactus, though you found me not
in way of search, you felt me in the feild.

Colactus.
I blesse my wounds since from your hand they came.

Miranda.
y'had been more blessed, had you mist the same.
The Gods graunt that phlebotomie may cure
you of the fauning sicknes.

This while Clitophon presents Iustina to the Califfe, & they whisper, kindly embracing.
Califfe.
pardon [sweet] fair one.
And [now] Clitophon, now take her once againe
with my vnfayned loue.

Iustina.
No mightie Sir,
my virgin life is vow'd to heauen now
which hath so oft preserv'd it.
All this is[OMITTED] private disc[OMITTED] betwixt Lys[OMITTED] Clitophon, I[OMITTED] and Cyprian[OMITTED] The rest [[illeg.]][OMITTED] to minde[OMITTED]

Clitophon.
Happy maide,
[asside while[OMITTED]]
Thy vow displeases not, and thy strange story
hath wonne my heart to lay hould on thy faith.

Lysander.
Cyprian turn'd Christian!

Cyprian.
Yes Eugenius.

Lysander.
You and Iustina shall along with mee
to Antioch: while I haue pow'r, you both
Shall there be safe from rage of persecution.

Clitophon.
Where ere Iustina goes, thither will I;
but not at once. Ile follow secretly.

Iustina.
Then heau'n has heard my pray'r and Clitophon
Is happyly become a Christian.

Claudius.
Souldan of Egypt, Califfe of Babilon,
And King of Antioch, ioyne your princely hands.
Thus in Romes name I knit a frendly league
twixt you three princes: may this gordian knot
nere be vntied[,] againe, nor by warre cut.

All three.
We wish the same.

Califfe.
Then princes since to loue
our quarrells are converted, ere wee part
enter the wondrous walls of Babilon,
and taste our entertaine.

Claudius.
Califfe content,
I oft haue wish'd to see faire Babilon,
whose mighty walls are reckon'd vp by ffame
for one of the [nine worth] seau'n wonders. Ope thy gates
thou happie towne, and entertayne thy frends;
such are all these now; enmitie here ends.

Exeunt.