 | The Floating Island |  |
Actvs V
Scena I.
The Scene turnes to the house of Despair. A Table there laid.Enter Desperato.
Desp.
Grow blacker yet my thoughts, grow blacker yet:
Your Plummets have not fadom'd the full depth
Of Passions misery. I have invited them;
But I must chang their Cheere; and make it stronger
Then food and bare discourse. I onely live
For others death, and then I'le fill the heap
With mine own ruine: rather with mine ease:
For now the Passions flow like shoales of Fish
Into my net; they sue to me for Counsel;
Ev'n to me; whose joy is in their death.
Just so the fearful Deere persu'd with dogs,
Flies to the keepers lodg, a surer Fate.
To poyson is dull art; my selfe am sorry
For doing ill so poorly; my design
Is now more glorious; for I'le make them act
Their death upon themselves, and thank me for't
Amidst their groanings. There have been with me
Fancie herselfe, distracted for her Liveby;
Irato, Audax for massacring him;
Sir Timerous and Fuga for impatience
Of their abuse. Unlesse Recorder Memor
Skil'd in the Law, have wayes to scape my Noose,
I doubt of none. I've bid them to a Feast;
But such a one, as Tantalus would shun;
Where I shall feed on all the guests that come.
Scena II.
Enter Sir Amorous.Am.
Black Desperato, did I lay two thrids
Upon thy spindle? hast thou cut them both,
Morphe's and mine?
Desp.
Why Sir, I mix'd your Philtre.
Am.
She lives not me to love nor to be lov'd.
Didst thou mix nothing else?
Desp.
You know sometimes
That Death and Cupid do mistake their shaftes:
Had I mix'd Poyson too and serv'd two humours,
Both mine and yours, it might be well digested.—
Am.
If I had not a dear request unto thee,
To give me of the same, I would exact
Thy life for hers, however it was spilt.
Desp.
If I had not design'd to kill some others
Out of meer kindnesse, thou shoulst try my skill
Of letting blood as well as giving physick.
But since I owe thee kindnesse out of hate,
Come to my Banquet, thou shalt have thy sawce.
There thou shalt meet thy friend Malevolo,
Who shar'd in this, and gave as much for Poyson
As you did for your Philtre. I dealt honestly,
And pleasur'd Both. Come, thou shalt have thy sawce.
Am.
Divel, I thank thee.—
(Ex. Am.
Scena III.
Enter Malevolo.Desp.
—Now Malevolo.
To hate was still my hony. But this gall
Of being hated totally of all,
I cannot bear: for now I cannot hurt,
Having no Credit. Give me from thy store
A dram of Poyson. I have been thy friend,
Let it be strong.
Desp.
First shake hands you must
With all the Passions, or at least make shew
Of formal reconcilement: stay a while,
My Guests and Cheer are coming.—
Scena IIII.
Enter to them Irato, Audax.Ir.
—Have we found
This monster here? we'l send thy ugly soul
Unto her fellow Feinds for tempting us.
Mal.
I prompted you to kill. Were not you ready
To do as bad as I could say? Meane while
I turn'd you from destroying one another.
Au.
Twas for thine one black Ends.
Mal.
And say it was:
Might not I hate, as well as you might kill?
My humour was as lawful.
Au.
Hadst thou kept it
Home to thy selfe.
Mal.
I labour not excuse,
But accusation of your equal Crimes.
Desp.
He sayes the right; and hospitality
Doth now require, ye should deferr your Broyles.
(Ex. Desp.
Scena V.
Enter to them Fancie in the Tiremans Coronet, hair dissheveld, in black and Silver habit. Fuga, Amorous, Timerous.Fan.
Sir, here's a Crown, (and tis the worst of mine)
Not to be match'd in all the globe of heaven.
Now shall I feed upon Ambrosia
Most divelishly. What gods are these two Mars-es?
Am.
Hell is broke loose; here are more
Feinds then two.
Fug.
It shames me to look up; through griefe I cannot.
Tim.
Wud I could die a sleep in some darke hole
Unknown unto my selfe and all the world.
Am.
Malevolo, th' art damn'd.
Mal.
How know you that?
Am.
And thou must sinke to hell now instantly
For killing Morphe. Thou shalt drink the same
That very Poyson.
Mal.
Wel, so you'l begin.
Scena VI.
Enter Hilario before Melancholico and Concupiscence, brought in a Sedan.Hil.
Now Sister you are right: now you can snuffle
‘As well a Melancolico. Care of fiction
“With help of somewhat else hath brought perfection.
“None come in Pomp but you: weakenesse is stately.
“Twere brave if these two beasts that draw without
“And these two rotten carcasses within
‘Made it not look so Cart-like. My clean couple,
If you would be divorc'd, there's none can do't
Like Desperato; he can seperate
At a worlds distance; that ye ner'e shall meet
To clamour me or others, or your selves.
Fan.
“A pretty kinde of Coach; one horse before
“And one behinde!
Am.
“Horses? why, these are Men.
I see it now; it is the glassmans pack.
“Have you good choice of Glasses, made in Figure
“Of Guns and Trumpets, or of Rats and Owles?
“Last time I saw the like, I bid a Gallant
“Begin a health, and after break his glasse:
“So did the rest; but do not do so now,
“Least for a Glasse some should mistake a Lady.
Hil.
“Femals are Venice mettle.
Am.
These sad men
Use to be sumptuous in their Feasts.
Hil.
And witty.
Tim.
I fear 'twill be too great.
Ir.
Too tedious.
Au.
Wellcome and bold I'le be.—
Scena VII.
Enter Desperato before his banquet serv'd in cover'd dishes,Desp.
—Aerious Queen,
Here are no Phœnix eggs; had nature any,
You should have some: and eggs sublim'd with Amber
I thought too mean. I have not now selected
Rare filling meats, but rarely physical,
And swiftly curing all the maladies
Which time can throw upon the face of man.
Each dish containes a general remedy,
Beyond th' Elixir, or the golden Liquour,
Though it were drunk in th' Antimonial Cup.
Open and try.
Am.
What's here? Knives, Bodkins, Daggers?
Mal.
Ropes, silken, hairy, hempen?
Tim.
Little papers,
Of witty, loving, raging, sleeping poysons?
Desp.
There's Wine to temper them.
Hil.
So, where's the Wine?
I still come somewhat merry to a Feast,
And still go merrier back. This is my messe:
All this to all.
Fan.
Is this our entertainment?
Desp.
Could Art invent, or Wealth procure you better?
The Greatest, Wisest, Stoutest, and the fairest
Have chose these Cates to relish their last palats:
Have you not heard of Mithridates, Cato,
Of Hannibal, and Cleopatra? These?
These gods on earth have travl'd to their home
With such provision. Tast. One tast of these
Forever frees from Hunger, Thirst, Want, Griefe:
These are receites for immortality.
Tim.
But through a mortal way.
Desp.
That sleeping Dos
Will steal thy fearful soul insensibly.
Tim.
Then that shall bear me hoodwink'd unto Lethe;
There I'le forget my wrongs.
Hil.
Manners however;
First let the Queen begin. I broke that Rule
My selfe, and therefore mum.—Well danc'd yond Scaffold.
He falls into a Chaire.
Desp.
These things the most of you desir'd; All want;
Y'are wellcome all.
Hil.
No, no more I thank you.
Desp.
Death to the wretched soul as needful is,
As sleep unto the weary. Why should men
Condemnd to misery thus toile to mend
Their Fates which cannot alter?
Hil.
This Desperato,
What a gift he has! he never was at th' University;
Never took Orders, and yet lectures as good Divinity
As commonly we finde in most Dutch Systems
Or City-conventicles.
Desp.
Pleases your Highnesse
To chuse and give the signal, that we all
May waite upon your dying.
Fan.
Reach me then
The witty poyson.
Am.
Me the loving mixt;
That when I die, embracing her Idea.
A heaven within me. He that stript of flesh
And lust still loves, will shew true love indeed.
But you Malevolo shall take my part.
Mel.
My place in heaven is sure; what need I hast?
Yes, 'cause I live in hell.
Desp.
Then take these banes
Mentioned before.
Hil.
Do; as good he poyson thee
As thou else drown thy selfe.
Mel.
Poyson I have too much,
Already, and in vain. Reach me your halter.
Hil.
Hoh hoh hoh; a halter? a dagger, he's so rotten,
He'l ne're hold hanging. Now for my part, sleep
Kills me sufficiently; Ile die before hand.
Conc.
In lust I liv'd with man; to kill that sin
Lend me that ponyard, so I'le manly die.
Fug.
This Bodkin is my husband; this alone
Shall know my flesh, and finde I was a Virgin.
Au.
Come joyn Irato, as we liv'd lets hang,
Two nooses and one rope will serve us both.
Ir.
Tis a dogs death, and therefore not unfit.
Hil.
Hoh hoh hoh.
Mal.
Choice I neglect whatever can dispatch
Loath'd life is sweet. My hate would faine turn home,
But cannot: Still me thinks I feele content
In seeing such a fruitful race of mischeife,
Because it sprung from me. If Fancies madnesse
Had not unhing'd the course of my design,
And brought remedilesse confusion
On all the Passions here at once; unseen
Beloved and honor'd, I with Art and Pleasure
Had done what Desperato does by chance.
He onely held the Net; I hunted in
The store of game: The praise is mine. And now
I die not with remorse of hate, but want
Of objects to be hated. Thus the worme
Having consum'd the Orb wherein it liv'd,
Doth lastly turn its hunger on it selfe.
Should I survive I could not finde more work,
Unlesse I learn'd to pitty what is done.
That's worse then death.
Desp.
When I have rid you all,
If I slink off let all the world besides
Fling stones. In such good company to fall,
Must needs be lightsome. And before our death
A Hymne is necessary. Then sing good Fellow.
An Attendant
sings in a base.
Come heavy souls oppressed with the weight
Of Crimes, or Pangs, or want of your delight,
Come down in Lethe's, sleepy lake
Whatever makes you ake.
Drink health from poyson'd bowles
Breathe out your cares together with your souls.
Cool Death's a salve
Which all may have
There's no distinction in the grave;
Lay down your loads before deaths iron dore,
Sigh, and sigh out, groan once, and groan no more.
Scena VIII.
Enter towards the end of the song Intellectus Agens with a book. Livebyhope and Morphe.Au.
Ha! thou com'st to challeng: but thou art spirit,
I cannot wound thee. Stay some few short minutes,
Till I have quite undress'd me of my flesh;
And stand on equal termes, then I will fight.
Else it thou canst, kill me; and take my flesh;
Then I'le kill thee again. Thus o're and o're
Ir.
My anger is not high: I onely guess
He comes to shew the way to following ghosts.
Fan.
I gave him once a house, my most remote,
Perchance 'tis in Elysium, he invites me.
Am.
But Morphe stands as if she bid me come
Like a clear spirit fitly to salute her.
Mal.
Why should that sight fling Ice into this heart?
Tim. and Fug.
O horrid!
Desp.
Come what will, I can but die.
Mal.
Hath this shrewd Scholer conjur'd up these ghosts?
Int.
I see you are amazd; the snares of death
Are tangled on your hands: you think these sights
A pair of ghosts; feel, and when you feel them
True flesh, alive and warme, next you must know
They are a token sent from Prudentius.
Am.
How? from Prudentius? hath he rais'd the dead
And wretched both at once? and sent me Morphe?
Fan.
And giv'n me hope again? a dainty show,
Who'ere contriv'd it.
Am.
Be thou shade or substance,
Since thou appear'st in such a lovely shap,
My soul I'e mingle with thine airy hand,
And strive to suck from thence the hated poyson.
But soft, I may do rashly.
Int.
Know once more,
These are not ghosts, nor ever were; but live
Preserv'd with care, and sent with love from him,
Whom ye refus'd, your King Prudentius.
Am.
By heav'n, true flesh and warme.
Fan.
Why speaks not Hope
If he have breath?
Ir.
Speak: free us from thy blood,
For which we have been angry with our selves.
Au.
Speak, if thou canst, thou must.
Liv.
I fear'd to startle
Unsettled heads with unexpected speech.
High Mistresse, your distracted griefe for me
Had almost kill'd me when I was recover'd.
Fan.
I am recover'd by this voice. Then tell me
Thy preservation.
Liv.
Audax and Irato
Know how they left me.
Au.
Kill us for amends:
Liv.
Alas your death's would profit me no more
Then mine could you: but gracious Intellectus
Found and releiv'd me, while Sir Amorous
Carri'd in Morphe.
Int.
Him I took up gasping
Temper'd like Ice before it thaw and crack,
In such a glimmering state of doubtful life
As Candles have before they blaze and vanish.
Mal.
These ropes will all be mine.
Int.
And her I sav'd
By looking on her mixt and poysnous physick.
The simples I extracted, and gave out
The same effect which likely would have follow'd.
Am.
Pardon my fault, I nothing mixt but love,
Those villaines added poison.
Mor.
Heav'n forgive
As I forgive you all.
Am.
Give me some poyson,
(Int. Liv. and Mor. stay him.
You stay me too.
Mor.
Although I love thee not
Beyond an honest man, I cannot see
Thee die neglected.
Hil.
What a coile is here
With ghosts? I cannot take my rest for ghosts.
People, y'ar wellcome to this world. How fare
My fellow sleepers, ghosts, your Countrymen.
Int.
Thank not my care for this, but thank Prudentius;
Expiring Hope, it was Prudentius:
Ask not what star compell'd my timely visit
Of Morphe poyson-trap'd, it was Prudentius.
From him proceeds their preservation;
And yours in them. Snatch'd from the jawes of death
As lights blown in again you live through him.
This is your cast-away, your drosse, Prudentius.
Ir.
I think we wrong'd him in our heedlesse anger.
Au.
And yet his love seems payment for desert.
Fan.
How shall I rule this craz'd and tottring State?
Mal.
I smell in what half point the wind is turning.
One breath will carry all the Passions
Back to Prudentius sailes. Now for a fetch:
Well, I'le prevent them all. Call back Prudentius,
(alowde.)
Let's sue to him for grace.
Au.
Call back Prudentius.
(alowde.)
Mal.
Tis quickly done. If this way lead to peace
I opend it; but still I would stand safer.
Audax, you have a Drum. Now do not you
And Lord Irato end your businesse sneaking.
Fan.
Liveby you kept the Crownes: go with him Amorous,
Carry his own: I ne're esteem'd the Golden.
I can be Queen alone, and govern subjects
Of mine own making; more, then Kings can muster
Or Earth bring forth.
Am.
I'le take Recorder Memor
To lay our sute in form. Then on our knees
We'l beg to serve him so, ev'n so forever.
Hil.
Come, to our old new Sun.
Int.
He's in his Court;
And now me thinks his presence guilds the walls.
(Ex. Int. Liv. Am.
Mel.
Though weak we'l go along.
Conc.
Weake legs can kneel.
Desp.
This peice of mine own banquet le assume
And walk in penance of a solemn halter.
(Ex. Om. preter. Mal.
Mal.
Ile go some neerer way, and recompence
My forward breach with much more forward duty.
For this Event spun out by Intellectus
Makes me think honesty may weigh with cunning.
Some sheep, some Fox will make a perfect man.
Howe're, me thinkes, these Sword-men might compound
Our Peace in Armes, and plead with violence.
Scena. IX.
The Scene returns to Prudentius his Court.Enter one way Prudentius, Memor with the Crown, Intellectus, Livebyhope, Amorous with the Sword. By another way Malevolo soon after.
Mem.
Without a Seizin no possession.
Your Crown is undefil'd, untouch'd.
Pru.
Place thou
The world in my ballance, place in theirs
All Levity, then weigh them both. Next tell me
How ended those commotions which arose
Betwixt the third King Henry and his Rebells?
Mem.
He sentenc'd his Metropolis to flames
Their goods to his Exchequer, and their lives—
Pru.
No more. Should I do so? do not I know
What doomes have pass'd upon untrusty Lawyers?—
Mem.
I Sink before your mercy, be't like Henries.
Kneeling is but a Subjects Complement.
I sink.
Am.
And I.
(a Drum.)
Mal.
we might have stay'd to hear
What means this Drum.
Scena X.
Enter Irato, Audax.Au.
—We have descri'd a Fleet;
And therefore call'd to armes.
Ir.
Submissively
We prostrate our repentance with a sute,
That I and Audax may decide in Duel
Who shall be sacrific'd for both to justice,
And the Surviver may be General.
Pru.
The Fleet which you suspect, is your defence;
Unknown to you I sent it forth to guard
This Island from the dangers you have call'd,
By Tumult, Lust, Debate, and Discontent.
As for your Duel, 'tis a Savadg fury
By us forbid. But you have lately tri'd
A new found Duel, (was it honourable?)
Two upon one. Or was it Captain-like
To kill a friend? In any likely way
Hope would have further'd Audax: but when boldnesse
Growes impudent it turns a foe to Hope.
Scena XI.
Enter Fancie, Fuga, Hilario, Timerous, Melancholico and Concupiscence. Soon after Desperato.Fan.
King of Affections:—
Pru:
Queen of Inventions.—
Fan.
Unlesse you think your selfe beholding to me
You are not fit to be my King. The Passions
I have so suffer'd in absurdity,
That now they beg your reign which they shook off.
Hil.
I see there is some mirth in misery.
Fan.
I kneel unto your grace to use me so,
As one that hath been Queen, and yet no Queeen,
Rather a shew then Soveraign. I walk'd
But in mock-majesty. Say it were true,
I sought it not, and what is worth a taking
If not a Kingdom?
Hil.
Down my frolick joynts,
Kneeling is now in fashion. Down, down Fuga;
Concupiscence and Melancholico
Favour your selves with kneeling.
Mel.
I kneel not
To thee, but to thy power; I kneel to thee
But not adore thee.
Conc.
Pardon.
Enter Desperato.
Desp.
—Thus attir'd
I wear my sentence. Sir, I can but offer
That power of doome which I my selfe might take.
Pru.
If you ask pardon, ask it of your Prince;
For I nor am, nor will be.
Au.
Royal Sir,
Why have you giv'n us lives, if not to take
Or to preserve them?
Am.
Hope, speak for us Hope.
Liv.
Be pleas'd thou god on earth.
Int.
I likewise joyn
In this request.
Pru.
Ile send them Epimetheus
My Brother Afterwit; and he shall rule them.
Those fooles whom Prudence cannot prerestrain,
The lash of Afterwit brings home again.
Au.
We'l die upon this place.
Mal.
And each man turn
To his own grave.
Pru.
Do, and do not burden
Me with new cares for new Rebellion.
Au.
We grone unto you?
Pru.
Why? for here are many
That would be Kings, Amorous, this gay thing,
He offers about his Crown.
Which overlookes a Kingdom, may command
No? then Malevolo to devour your flock,
T' ingrosse the Elements, and let none breath
That may resist, and onely spare a few
That may for fear do service, i'st not glorious?
Work with this Engine. No? are you grown modest?
Then Desperato, what a life it is
To have the power of hanging, or of causing
Some to prevent the gallowes in their prison.
What, hang your head so dully at a Crown.
Hil.
This is to offer Sallets unto dogs.
Pru.
Irato, anger is a Kings perfection
As roaring is the Lions. When his eye
Darts lightning, when he snaps his dagger hard
Cries hah and starts, doth he not then seem godlike,
And well deserve the name of Thunderer?
Be thou that Jove. Not you? Then Captain Audax.
You took great pains to win, now weare this Crown.
Au.
Any but yours I would.
Pru.
Could ye get Crownes
Abroad as soon as pull off one at home,
Ye should be Kings or Deputies all over.
Now there can be but one: would that be Memor.
Mem.
In all records I finde no Lawyer Crown'd.
Hil.
A Lawyer needs it not: to pen the Law,
And then interpret it as much as making.
Pru.
Fancie you must be troubled once again
With this bright loade.
Fan.
I loath'd it at the first.
Grant me the Soveraignty of changing fashions,
Promotion of new Projects, leave to weare
Such Coronets at these, I ask no more.
Pru.
When I am King, be this thy Royalty.
Poor Diadem, since here thou canst not get
A Master, lye thou there for the next commer,
Or sink into thy Oare.—None stoop to take thee?
What all refuse, I once refus'd of all
Am fit to wear.
Au.
Long live Prudentius.
(Int. & Liv. Crown him.)
Pru.
Then once more chain'd in Gold, Ile bear your burden.
Henchforth to awe your folly, be assur'd,
None of your crooked actions words or lookes
Hath scap'd my notice. They camefresh unto me
With tongues of spirits: But Ile leave the chiding
To your own Conscience. Now, thus reconcil'd,
I'le pardon your deserts, cannot reward them.
If you expect in sign of peacesome matches
You are deceiv'd. Amorous shall not wed
Morphe, without a faire probation.
And Timerous I forbid; such must not marry
As have no mettle, least they spoile their race.
But Melancolico and Concupiscence
Shall keep their state; i'th suburbs, or new-England.
Now rise. For shew of future correspondence,
Rank your selves friendly with your opposites.—
Am.
I live not by my line of life, but yours.
Mal.
Love is a willing Passion, full of sweetnesse,
But not so serviceable as loyal hate;
This loves with zeal and with comparison,
Works against all for one. to serve your State
Let others love, whilst I for you shall hate;
My selfe, if that you please; and others so,
That hate with vertue hand in hand shall go.
Pru.
Tis well, tis very well. Live as you look,
Irato beare the Sword: I'le view them all.
Thus betwixt love of good, and hate of ill,
Will slight of this; and chast desire of that,
With sadnesse to be wise, joy for good ends
Hope for true peace, despair of nothing lesse
Then meer Impossibilities, we'l walk
To Immortality upon those lines
Which a wise Princes breast nought else defines.
Exeunt Omnes.
| Prudentius | ||||||
| Fancie | Intellectus | |||||
| Memor | ||||||
| Amorous | Malevolo | |||||
| Concupiscence | Fuga | |||||
| Hilario | Melancolico | |||||
| Audax | Timerous | |||||
| Livebyhope | Irato | Desperato |
After the musick ended, the Island appearing Setled.
| The Floating Island | |