University of Virginia Library

Scena V.

Enter to them Melancholico, Desperato and Sr. Timerous.
Ir.
What and Sr. Timerous too? Come, mend your pace.
What? doth Prudentius moderate your feet?
And make you snayles as well as slaves?

Mal.
Free Passions,
(So ye must be) we know your greivances.
Brother Melancholy, discreet you are,
But not expressive; unprefer'd you are,
Because precise; but say, would you with State
Infold your armes; look sad, and feele content;
Live careful over bags, retire your selfe
To solemn greife in Temples of delight,
Sigh in a Sisters bosom, and complain
Of Persecution at a plenteous Feast?

Ir.
Yes, yes. I'le answer for him.

Mel.
Sooth, you may.
Sadnesse is pleasant, but the cause is not.

Au.
And Desperato, once my old Comrad,
Once Noble, and again to be the same,
But now as void of cash as of imployment,
Would you, in Peace forgot, bard of a Pension,
Having no lands but bare high-wayes, now run
All hazards for new Fortune?

Desp.
Yes apace.

Ir.
Why parly then? can he not first draw blood?
Do Cutters ask what money have you first?

Tim.
Blood and Cutters? his speech is rough.

Mal.
hee's mad.
Say on.

Ir.
Nought's done through such long talke.

Mal.
Such Choler.

Au.
Wouldst thou have power to raise more flames then Nero,
To fire the World, prevent his final doome,
Stare awfully, stab others with applause,
Hang, drown thy selfe, to immortality.

Desp.
Such change I long for; rows'd from Lethargy
I am reviv'd.

Au.
Thou lyest, thou art not yet.
(Desp. offers to draw)
Hold, hold thy hand: I did but tempt thy mettle,
To search the truth.

Desp.
And Sir, 'tis well you say so.

Ir.
This Bully's right. why now I'm pleas'd

Am.
Sr. Tim.
My fellow Knight, you know (but do not tremble)
How oft the King hath misimpos'd on you
Those dreadful, those horrible, terrible

Tim.
Good Sir.

Am.
Those heart-labouring imployments,
Which Audax beg'd.

Tim.
I pray.

Am.
He sought thereby
Meerely to vexe and to disgrace your spurr
But wouldst thou hug thy Pillow or thy Love
Without disturbance, or the noise of danger?
How say'st?

Tim.
I love to live, and love in safety.

Mal.
Then in a word.

Au.
Ile first kick hence this Knight,
Hee'l prove a sive through feare; his trembling humour
Will shake our secrets out.

Am.
Which to prevent,
He stirs not from this company.

Mal.
Then know,
Our common medicine is Prudentius ruine.
Last comers, do ye twist in full consent?

Mel. & Desp.
We do.

Ir.
then kisse the Sacramental Sword.

Am.
Sr. Tim. you came unsought, but being come,
You must consent, or will be beaten too't.

Tim.
I, I do consent—but caution must be had;
This is no common sport: what Engines use ye?

Au.
Not you, be sure. Will Desperato joyne
With me and this brave Count?

Desp.
Yes, and strike home.

Mal.
Then for the time: we think close midnight best.

Mel.
And fittest; 'cause the crowned Fox is watchful.

Tim.
Be sure you take disguise to passe unknown,
Though it be night.

Au.
O wit and valour both!
Vizards to Passengers will be but signes
Hang'd out to move suspicion; and to leave
Him ignorant whom we assault is losse
Unto the glory of our bold revenge.

Mal.
What shall be done with Memor the Recorder,
One whom I hate, yet have no reason for't,
Like an old debt-book, or mine own Conscience,
Shall he be blotted out, or shall he stand?

Am.
Alas he's all Record, Example, Custome,
What's done Quadragesimo primo Henrici tertii,
Tricesimo primo Henrici octavi;
And these sute more with Passion then with Reason.

Mal.
What shall be done with Common sense the Judge?

Am.
He also more inclines to sense then Prudence,
Leanes to the Commons rather then the King.

Au.
As for the rest, they ne're shall trouble us;
Cut off the head, we need not feare the Members.

Mal.
Who shall succeed? I mean, in place, and shew,
Not in the tyranny of strict Command;
Who shall assemble, lead, incourage us,
And give some fashion to our Commonwealth?

Am.
What say to Fancie? will not Fancie do't?

Au.
No better choice: for Fancie neerest is
To unyoak'd Passion.

Am.
And 'tis most proper,
That since by Passion his revolt is made
From Reason unto Sense, the Rule should passe
From man to Woman.

Au.
She, she, Fancie she.

Liv.
(in secret)
O now for wings like thought, this to relate
First to the Agent of Prudentius;
And then to beare first newes, to new Queen Fancie.
(Ex. Liv.

Au.
She, Fancie's Queen.

Am.
She'l be a pleasant Mistresse
Rather then Governesse, leading each Passion
Whether himselfe inclines. Nay she'l invent
New Objects for their several content.