A new Tragicall Comedie of Apius and Virginia Wherein is liuely expressed a rare example of the vertue of Chastitie, by Virginias constancy, in wishing rather to be slaine at her owne Fathers handes, then to be deflowered of the wicked Iudge Apius |
 | A new Tragicall Comedie of Apius and Virginia |  |
Before the time that fortunes lot, dyd shew ech fate his dome,
Or Byrde, or Beast, or fish, or Foule, or Earth had taken rome:
The Gods they did decree to frame, the thing is ended now,
The Heauens, and the Planets eke, and moyst from ayre to bow.
Then framed they ye man of mould & clay, & gaue him time to raign,
As seemed best their sacred minds, to runne and turne againe:
They framed also after this, out of his tender side,
A peece of much formositie, with him for to abide:
From infansie to lusty you, and so to raigne awhile.
And well to liue, tyl Etas he vnwares, do him begyle.
And sith to see these giftes of them, on grounded caue to vew,
Not daintyly to deck them vp, which after they may rew:
Wherfore I thank the Gods aboue, that yeeld to mee such fate,
To lincke to mee so iust a spouse, and eke so louing mate.
By her I haue a virgin pure, an ympe of heauenly race,
Both sober, meeke, and modest too, and vertuous in lyke case:
To Temple will I wend therfore, to yeeld the Gods their praise,
For that they haue thus luckely, anexed with my daies.
But stay, behold the peerelesse sparks wherof my tongue dyd talke,
Approch in presence of my sight, to church I deeme they walk,
But stay I wyll, and shroud me secretly a while,
To see what witte or counsell graue, proceedeth from their stile.
Heere entreth Mater and Virginia.
The perte and pricking prime of youth, ought chastisment to haue,
But thou deare daughter needest not, thy self doth shew thee graue:
To se how Phœbus with his beames, hath youth so much infected,
It doth me woe to see them craue the thing should be detected.
I draw to graue, and naught can leaue of thee to be desired,
As much as duty to thy deare, as reason hath required:
Thy sufferent Lord and frindly feare, Virginius father thine,
To nourse as doth become a childe, when boanes are buried mine.
Virginius,
Refel your minde of mournig plaints, deare mother rest your minde
So much to do, and further force, of Gods that rule the Skies,
The Glope and eke the Element, they would me els dispies.
Mater.
Then if the Gods haue graunted thee, such grace to loue thy syer,
When time shall choose thee out a make be constant I requier:
Loue, liue, and lyke him well, before you graunt him grace or faith,
So shall your loue continue long, experience thus he saith.
Virginia.
I graunt deare Dame I doo agree,
When time shall so prouide:
But tender youth and infansie,
Doth rather wish me bide,
What should I lose Dianas gifte,
And eke the spring to shun:
By which Acteon fateally,
His finall race did run:
Should I as abiect be esteemed,
Throughout Pernassus hill,
Or should my Uirgins name be filde,
It were to great a skyll:
But yet it is vnspotted loe,
Right well I doo conceaue,
When wedlocke doth require the same,
With parents loue and leaue:
Yet obstinate I wyll not be,
But willing will me yeeld:
When you commaund and not before
Then duety shall me sheeld.
Virginius.
Ah Gods that rule and raine, in heauens, in seas, in flods and lands,
Two couple such I surely deeme, you neuer made with hands,
A Gods why doo ye not compel eche Dame the lyke to showe?
And euery Impe of her againe, her duty thus to know,
I cannot stay my tounge from talke, I needes must call my deare,
Oh spouse wel met & Daughter to, what newes how do you cheare?
O deare Virginius Ioy to me, oh pearelesse spouse and mate,
In health I praise the Gods I am and ioifull for thy state,
Virginius.
Virginia my daughter deare
How standeth all with thee?
Virginia.
Like happie state as mother tolde,
Like ioyfull sight to mee.
Virginius.
By the Gods wife I ioy me, that haue such a treasure,
Such Gemme and such Iuell, surmounting all measure:
Such a happy spouse, such a fortunate dame,
That no blot or staine, can impayre her fame,
Against such an Impe, and graffe of my tree,
As cleare doth surmount all others that bee.
Mater.
Nay rather deare spouse how much is my case,
To be now aduaunced by such happy grace:
Doth dayly distill, my husband so louing,
Graunting and geuing to all thing behouing,
Ioying in me, and in the fruicte of my wombe.
Who would not requit it, the Gods yeelde their dome
And if it be I, the Gods doo destroy mee,
Rather then sinne, so sore should annoy me.
Virginius.
Oh wife refell thy wishing for woe,
My selfe thy faute rightwell do know:
And rather I wish my selfe to be slaine,
Then thou or thy daughter ought wo should sustaine.
Virginia.
Oh Father my comfort, oh Mother my ioy,
Oh Deare, and O sufferaigne, do cease to employ
Such dolorus talking, where dangers are none,
Where Ioyes are attendant, what needeth this mone,
You comfort, you only the some of his lyfe:
You housband, you harte, you ioye, and you pleasure,
You King, and you Keyser, to her only treasure,
You Father, you Mother, my lyfe doth sustaine,
I babe and I blisse, your health am againe,
Forbeare then your dolor, let mirth be frequented
Let sorow departe, and be not attempted.
Virginius.
Oh wife, oh spouse, I am contente.
Mater.
Oh Husband.
Virginia.
Oh Father wee doo consent.
Sing heere.
All
singe this.
The trustiest treasure in earth earth as wee see,
Is man, wife and children in one to agree,
Then friendly, and kindly, let measure be mixed
With reason, in season, where friendship is fixed.
Virginius.
When nature nursed first of all, yong Alexander learned,
Of whō the Poets mencion make, in iudgement so deserned,
Oh what did want that loue procured his vital end well neare,
This is the hope where parents loue, their children do not feare,
All
sing this.
The trustiest treasure in earth as wee see,
Is man wife and children &c.
Mater.
When time King Nisus would not let, his daughter to be taught,
Of any one correcting hand to nurtue to be brought:
She void of duty cut his lockes, and golden tresses cleare,
Whereby his realme was ouerrun, and she was payd her hier,
sing this.
The trustiest treasure in earth as we see,
Is man wife and children. &c
Virginia.
When Dedalus from Creete did flie,
With Icarus his ioy:
He naught regarding fathers words,
Did seeke his owne anoy:
He mounted vp into the skies,
Wherat the Gods did frowne,
And Phœbus sore his winges did frie,
And hedlonge flins him downe.
All
singe this.
The trustiest treasure in earth as we see.
Is man wife and children &c.
Virginius.
Then sith that persualitie, doth partly discorde moue,
And hatred often times doth creepe where ouermuch wee loue:
And if we loue no whit at all, the faming trump will sound,
Come wife, come spouse, come daughter deare, let measure beare ye ground.
All
singe this.
The trustiest treasure in earth as we see
Is man wife and children in one to agree,
Then friendly, and kindly, let measure be mixed,
Exit.
With reason, in season, where frindship is fixed.
Here entreth Haphazard the Uice.
Very well sir, very well sir, it shalbe doone,
As fast as euer I can prepare,
Who dippes with the Diuel, he had neede haue a long spoone,
Or els full smale will be his fare:
Yet a proper Gentileman I am of truthe
Yea that may yee see by my long side gowne.
A Lawier, a studient or els a countrie cloune
A Brumman, a Baskit maker, or a Baker of Pies,
A flesh or a Fishmonger, or a sower of lies:
A Louse or a louser, a Leeke or a Larke:
A Dreamer a Drommell, a fire or a sparke:
A Caitife, a Cutthrote, a creper in corners,
A herbraine, a hangman, or a grafter of horners:
By the Gods, I know not how best to deuise,
My name or my property, well to disguise:
A Marchaunte, a May poole, a man or a mackrell:
A Crab or a Creuise, a Crane or a cockerell:
Most of all these my nature doth inioy,
Somtime I aduaunce them, somtime I destroy,
A mayde or a Mussell Bote, a wife or a wilde ducke,
As bolde as blinde bayerd, as wise as a wood cocke.
As fine as phippence, as proude as a Pecocke,
As stout as a Stockefish, as meeke as a mecocke,
As bigge as a begger, as fat as a foole,
As true as a Tinker, as riche as an Owle,
With hey tricke, how trowle, trey trip, and trey trace,
Trowle hazard in a vengeance I beshrew his knaues face
For tro, and trowle hazard, keepe such a range
That poore haphazard, was neuer so strange,
But yet Haphazard, be of good cheere,
Goe play and repast thee man, be mery to yeere:
Though vittaile be dainty and hard for to get.
Yet perhaps a number will die of the swet,
Though it be in hazard, yet happely I may,
Though mony be lacking, yet one day go gay.
Enter Mansipulus.
When Maud, with a pestelence, what makst thou no hast?
Of Baybery insence belike thou wouldest tast,
By the Gods I haue stayed a full great while,
My lorde he is neare hand by this at the Church stile,
And al for Maud mumble turde, that mampodding madge
By the Gods if she hie not, ile geue her my badge.
What drake nosed driuell, begin you to floute.
Ile frie you in a fagot sticke, by cocke goodman loute
You boaster you bragger, you brawling knaue:
Ile pay thee thy fortypence, thou brawling slaue:
My Ladies great busines belike is at ende,
When you goodman dawcocke, lust for to wend,
You, codshed you crackerope, you chattering pye,
Haue with ye, haue at ye, your manhode to try.
Haphazard.
What holde your hands masters, what? fie for shame fie,
What culling? what lulling? what stur haue wee here?
What tugging? what lugging? what pugging by the eare,
What part and be freinds, and ende all this strife,
Mansipulus.
Nay rather I wishe hir, the end of my knife:
Mansipula.
Drawe it, geue mee it, I will it receaue,
So that for to place it, I might haue good leaue,
By the Gods: but for losing my land, lyfe, and liuing,
It should be so placed, he should haue ill thriuinge:
Mansipilus.
By the Gods how vngraciously the vicksen she chatteth,
Mansipula.
And he euen as knauishly, my answer he patteth,
Haphazard.
Here is naught els, but railing of words out of reason,
Now tugging, now tatling, now musling in season,
For shame be contented and leaue of this brawling,
Mansipulus.
Content, for I shall repent it, for this my tonge wralling:
Mansipula.
Thou knaue, but for thee, ere this time of day,
My Ladies faire Pue, had been strawed full gay:
With Primroses, Couslips, and Uiolets sweete:
With Mints, and with Marigolds, and Margerum meete,
That a shame recompence thee, for hindring mee,
Mansipulus.
Ah pretie pranck parnel, the Coushen and Booke,
Whereon he shoulde reade and kneele, are present here looke:
My Lorde when he seeth mee, he will cast such an eye,
As pinch wyll my hart neare ready to die:
And thus wise, and thus wise, his hand wyll be walking
With thou precious knaue, away get thee packing
Here let hym fight.
Haphazard.
Nay then by the masse, its time to be knacking,
No words at all but to me he is poynting:
Nay haue at you againe, you shall haue your annoynting,
Mansipula.
Body of me, hold yf ye can,
What will you kill such a proper man?
Haphazard.
Nay sure I haue done when women do speake,
Why would the knaue my pacience so breake?
Mansipulus.
Well I must begon, there is no remedy
For feare my tayle makes buttons, by mine honesty.
Haphazard.
For reuerence on your face, your nose and your chin:
By the Gods haue ye hard such an vnmannerly villin.
Mansipula.
I neuer heard one so rancke of rudnesse,
Mansipulus.
In faith it is but for lacke of lewdnesse:
But here I burne day light, while thus I am talking
Away come Mansipula, let vs be walking,
Mansipula
Contented Mansipulus, haue with thee with speede,
Haphazard.
Nay stay yet my freendes I am not agreede.
Wee dare not tary, by God wee sweare.
Haphazard.
Nay tarry take comfort with you for to beare,
It is but in hazard and yf you be mist,
And so it may happen you feele not his fist:
Perhaps he is stayde by talke with some friend
It is but in hazarde, then sing or you wend
Let hope be your helper, your care to defend.
Mansipulus.
By hap or by hazard, we singe or we crie,
Then singe let vs say so, let sorow go by.
Mansipula.
We can be but beaten that is the worst,
Enter Subseruus.
What how Mansipulus, thou knaue art thou curst?
My lorde standeth talking and I gape for thee,
Come away with a wannion, runne hast and hie,
Mansipulus.
Nay herken Subseruus, stay I pray thee,
Let vs haue a song and then haue with thee:
Subseruus.
Content if thou hie thee.
Sing heere all.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard of thretninge,
The worst that can hap lo, in end is but beating.
Mansipulus.
What if my Lordinge, doo chaunce for to misse me,
The worst that can happen, is Cudgell will kisse mee,
In such kinde of sweetnes, I sweare by Gods mother,
It will please me better, it were on some other,
With thwicke thwack, with thump thump,
With bobbing and bum,
Our syde saddle shoulders shal sheilde that doth come?
Hope so, and hap so, in hazarde. &c.
If case that my Lady, do threaten my case,
No cause to contrary, but beare hir a space,
Untill she draw home lo, where so she will vse me,
As Docters doth doubt it, how I should excuse me,
With thwicke thwack, with thump thump,
With bobbing and bum,
Our side saddle shoulders shal sheilde that doth come
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard &c.
Subseruus.
What if your company cause me haue woo,
I minde not companyons so soone to forgo:
Let hope holde the Helmet, till brunt it be past,
For bloes are but buffits and words but a blast,
With thwick thwack, with thump thump,
with bobbing and bum,
Our side saddle shoulders shal sheild that doth come,
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard &c.
Haphazard.
Then let vs be mery, it is but by hap,
A hazardly chaunce may harbor a clap,
Bestur ye, be mery, be glad and be ioying,
For bloes are but buffits and smale time annoying,
With thwick thwack, with thump thump,
with bobbing and bum,
Our side saddle shoulders shal sheild that doth come.
Hope so, and hap so, in hazard &c.
The end of the song.
All
speaketh this.
Haphazard farewell, the Gods do thanke thee.
Exiunt.
Haphazard.
Farwell my friends, farwell goe prancke yee:
By the Gods Haphazard, these men haue tried thee,
By Ioue master Marchant by sea or by land,
Would get but smale argent, if I did not stand,
His very good master, I may say to you,
When he hazards in hope, what hap will insue:
In court I am no man, by cocke sir ye lie,
A Plowman perhaps or ere that he die,
May hap be a Gentleman, a Courtier or Captaine,
And hap may so hazard, he may goe a begging:
Perhap that a Gentleman, heyre to great land,
Which selleth his liuing, for mony in hand,
In hazard it is the bying of more,
Perhaps he may ride when spent is the store:
Hap may so hazard the Moone may so chaunge.
That men may be masters, and wiues will not raunge:
But in hazard it is in many a grange.
Lest wiues were the Codpeece, and maydens coy strange:
As Pecockes sit perking, by chaunce in the plomtree,
So maides would be masters, by the guise of this countrey
Haphazard eche state full well that he markes,
If hap the skie fall, we hap may haue Larkes:
Well, fare ye well now, for better or worse,
Put hands to your pockets, haue minde to your purse.
Exit.
Enter Iudge Apius.
The forowed face of Fortunes force, my pinching paine doth moue
I setled ruler of my realme inforced am to loue:
Iudge Apius I the princelest Iudge, that raigneth vnder sonne,
And haue bene so esteemed long, but now my force is done:
I rule no more, but ruled am, I do not Iudge, but am Iudged,
By beuty of Virginia, my wisdome all is trudged,
Oh perelesse Dame, Oh passing peece, oh face of such a fature.
That neuer erst with bewty such, matched was by nature:
Oh fond Apelles pratling foole, why boastest thou so much?
The famost peece thou madst in Greece, whose linients were such
Or why didst thou deceued man, for beuty of thy worke?
With raging fits thou foole ran mad, oh fond Pigmalion,
Yet sure if that thou sawest my deare, the like yu couldst make none,
Then what may I, oh Gods aboue, bend downe to heare my crie,
As once he did to Salmasis, in Pond hard Lyzia by:
Oh that Virginia were in case as somtime Salmasis,
And in Hermafroditus steede, my selfe might seeke my blisse,
Ah Gods, would I vnfolde her armes, complecting of my necke?
Or would I hurt her nimble hand, or yeelde her such a checke?
Would I gainsay hir tender skinne, to baath where I do washe?
Or els refuse hir soft sweete lippes, to touch my naked fleshe?
Nay, oh the Gods do know my minde, I rather would requier,
To sue, to serue, to crouch, to kneele, to craue for my desier.
But out ye Gods, ye bende your browes, and frowne to see me fare,
Ye do not force my fickle fate, ye do not way my care,
Unrighteous, and vnequall Gods, vniust, and eke vnsure,
Woe worth the time ye made me liue, to see this haplesse houre:
Dyd Iphis hang himselfe for loue, of Lady not so faire?
Or els did Ioue the cloudie mistes, bend downe from lightsome ayre:
Or as the Poets mencion make, of Inachs daughter meeke,
For loue dyd he to make a Cowe, whom Inach long dyd seeke:
Is loue so great, to cause the quicke, to enter into Hell,
As stout Orpheus did attempt, as histories do tell?
Then what is it that loue cannot? why loue dyd pearce the skies:
Why Pheb. and famous Marcury, with loue had blinded eies?
But I a Iudge of grounded yeeres, shall reape to me such name,
As shall resounde dishonour great, with Trump of carelesse fame:
Oh that my yeeres were youthfull yet, or that I were vnwedded.
Here entreth Haphazard.
Why cease sir Knight, for why perhaps, of you she shalbe bedded:
For folow my counsell, so may you me please,
That of carefull resurging, your hart shall haue ease.
Apius.
Oh thundring Gods that threaten yre,
and Plague for eche offence:
in this so fit pretence:
And eke your nimble stretched armes,
with great rewards would flie,
To purchase faire Virginia,
so deare a wight to me:
And friend, I sweare by Iubiter,
and eke by Iunos seate:
And eke by all the misteries,
where on thou canst intreate:
Thou shalt possesse and haue,
I will thee graunt and geue,
The greatest part of all my Realme,
for aye thee to releeue.
Haphazard.
Well then, this is my counsell, thus standeth the case,
Perhaps such a fetche, as may please your grace:
There is no more wayes, but hap or hap not,
Either hap, or els haplesse, to knit vp the knot:
And if you will hazard, to venter what falles,
Perhaps, that Haphazard, will end al your thralles.
Apius.
I meane so, I will so, if thou do perswade me,
To hap or to hazard, what thing shall enuade me:
I King, and I Keyser, I rule and ouerwhealme:
I do what it please me, with in this my realme:
Wherfore in thy iudgement, see that thou do enter,
Hap life or hap death, I surely will venter.
Haphazard.
Then this, and in this sorte, standeth the matter,
What neede many wordes, vnlesse I should flatter,
Full many there be, will hazarde their life,
Happely to ease your grace of all your strife,
Of this kinde of conspirasie now let vs common,
Some man, Virginius, before you must summon,
And say that Virginia is none of his Daughter.
Then charge you the father his Daughter to bringe,
Then do you detayne hir, till proued be the thing:
Which well you may win hir, she present in house,
It is but Haphazarde, a man or a mouse
Apius.
I finde it, I minde it, I sweare that I will,
Though shame, or defame, do happen no skill,
But out I am wounded, how am I deuided?
Two states of my life, from me are now glided,
Here let him make as thogh he went out and let Consince and Iustice come out of him, and let Consiēce hold in his hande a Lamp burning and let Iustice haue a sworde and hold it before Apius brest.
For Consience he pricketh me contempned,
And Iustice saith, Iudgement wold haue me condemned:
Consience saith crueltye sure will detest me:
And Iustice saith, death in thende will molest me,
And both in one sodden me thinkes they do crie,
That fier eternall, my soule shall destroy.
Haphazard.
Why these are but thoughts man? why fie for shame fie
For Consience was carelesse, and sayling by seas,
Was drowned in a basket and had a disease,
Sore mooued for pitye, when he would graunt none,
For beyng hard harted, was turned to a stone:
And sayling by Sandwitche he sunke for his sin,
Then care not for consience, the worth of a pin:
And Iudgement iudge Iustice to haue a reward,
For iudging still iustly, but all is now marde,
For giftes they are geuen, wher Iudgement is none,
Thus Iudgement and Iustice awronge way hath gone:
Then care not for Consience the worth of a fable,
Iustice is no man, nor nought to do able.
Apius.
And saiest thou so my sured freende, then hap as hap shall hit,
Let Consience grope, & iudgement craue, I wil not shrink one whit
I well perseuer in my thought, I will deflower hir youth,
I will not sure reuerted be, my hart shall haue no ruth,
Come on proceede and wayte on me, I will hap woe or wealth,
Haphazard.
At hand (quoth picke purse) here redy am I,
See well to the Cut Purse, be ruled by me.
Exit. Go out here.
Conscience.
O cleare vnspotted giftes of Ioue,
How haps thou art refused?
Oh Conscience cleare, what cruell minde
Thy truth hath thus misused?
I spotted am by wilfull will,
By lawles loue and luste
By dreadfull daunger of the life.
By faith that is vniust.
Iustice.
Ah gift of Ioue, ah Fortunes face,
Ah state of steddy life:
I Iustice am and Prince of peeres,
The end of Lawes and strife:
A guider of the common weale,
A gwerdon to the poore:
And yet hath filthy lust supprest,
My vertues in one houre,
Well well this is the most to trust,
In ende we shall espire:
To see the end of these our foes
With sword and eke with fire.
Conscience.
Oh help ye Gods, we members require.
Exit.
Enter Haphazard.
When gayne is no gransier,
And gaudes naught set by:
Nor Puddings, nor Pie meate,
Poore knaues will come nie:
Then hap and Haphazard,
Shall haue a new cote:
And so it may happen.
Yea then shall Iudge Apius.
Virginia obtayne:
And Geese shall cracke Mussels,
Perhaps in the rayne:
Lerkes shalbe Leuerets,
And skip to and fro:
And chourles shalbe codsheads,
Perhaps and also:
But peace for mans body,
Haphazard be mum,
Fie pratlyng noddy,
Iudge Apius is come.
Here entreth Iudge Apius and Claudius.
The furies fell of Lymbo Lake,
my Princely daies doo shorte:
All drownde in deadly woes I liue,
that once dyd ioy in sport,
I liue and languish in my lyfe,
as doth the wounded Deare:
I thirst, I craue, I call and crie,
and yet am naught the neare:
And yet I haue that me so match,
within tho Realme of mine:
But Tantalus amids my care,
I hunger sterue and pine:
As Sissifus I roule the stone,
in vaine to top of Hill:
That euermore vncertainly,
reuoluing slideth still:
Oh, as if to her it were to me,
what labours would I flie?
What raging seas would I not plow,
to her commoditie?
lest drousy Morpheus:
His slumbry kingdomes graunted hath,
with Dewes and bewtious:
Oh Gods aboue that rule the Skies,
ye Babes that bragge in blisse:
Ye Goddesses, ye Graces you,
what burning brunt is this?
Bend downe your Ire, destroy me quicke:
or els to graunt me grace,
No more but that my burning breste,
Virginia may imbace:
If case your eares be dead and deafe,
the Feende and sprites beloe:
You carelesse carls of Limbo Lake,
your forced mightes doo shoe.
Thou Caitife Kinge of darksome den,
thou Pluto plaged knaue:
Send forth thy sacred vengeaunce straight,
consume them to the graue:
That will not aide my case,
Claudius.
Content and if it like your grace,
I will attempt the deede:
I sommon will Virginius,
before your seat with speede,
Haphazard.
Do so, my Lorde be you not afrayde,
And so you may happen to Hazard the mayde:
It is but in Hazard, and may come by hap,
Win her, or lose her, trie you the trap.
Apius.
By the Gods, I consent to thee Claudius now
Prepare the in haste Virginius vnto,
Charge him, commaund him, vpon his alegeance
Before my seate in my consistary
Subpene of lande, life and treasurie.
Here let Claudius go out with Haphazard.
No let, no stay, nor ought perturbraunce,
Shall cause me to omit the furtheraunce,
Of this my waighty charge:
Exit.
Apius.
Well now I range at large my will for to expresse,
For looke how Torquin, Lucres faire, by force did once oppresse,
Euen so will I Virginia vse:
Here let Consience speake within.
Iudge Apius prince, oh stay refuse,
Be ruled by thy friende:
What bloudy death with open shame,
Did Torquin gaine in ende?
Apius.
Whence doth this pinching sounde desende?
Conscience.
From contrit Conscience pricked on,
By member of thy lyfe,
Enforced for to cry and call,
And all to end our strife.
Apius.
What art thou then declare be breefe?
Consience.
Not flesh nor filthy lust I am:
But secret consience I,
Compeld to crie with trimbling soule,
At point nere hand to die.
Apius.
Why no disease dath me aproche, no griefe doth make me grudge,
But want of faire Virginia, whose beauty is my Iudge:
By hir I liue, by hir I die, for hir I ioy or woe,
Conscience.
Ah Gods, what wittes doth raine, and yet to you vnknowen?
I die the death, and soule doth sinke, this filthy flesh hath sowen.
Apius.
I force it not, I wyll attempt, I stay for Claudius heare,
Yet wyll I goe to meete with him, to know what newes and cheare.
Here entreth Haphazard.
Hast for a hangman, in hazard of hempe
Runne for a ridducke, there is no such impe:
Claudius is knocking, with hammer and stone,
At Virginius gate, as hard as he can lay one:
By the Gods my maisters, Haphazard is hardy,
For he will run rashly, be they neuer so many,
Yea he wyll singe sowsnowt, and sknap with the best,
But peace, who comes yonder, what Ioly good gest?
Here enter in with a songe.
When men will seeme misdoubtfully,
Without an why, to call and cry,
And fearing with temerety, its ieopardy, of libertie,
Wee wish him take to chere his hart, Haphazard,
Boulde blinde bayarde,
A Fygge for his vncourtesie,
That seekes to shun good company.
Mansipulus.
What if case that cruelty, should bussell me, and iussell mee,
And Holywand should tickle me, for keeping of good companye:
Ile folow by my honestie, hap Haphazard, bould blinde bayard,
A figge for his vncourtesie, that seekes to shun good companie.
All
singe this.
When men wyll seeme misdoubtfully,
Without an why, to call and crie. &c.
Neuer was that misteris, so furious nor curious,
Nor yet hir bloes so boisterous, nor rosterous, nor dolorous,
But sure I would venterous, hap Haphazard, boulde blinde bayard
A figge for his vncourtesie, that seekes to shun good companie.
All
singe this.
When men wyll seeme misdoubtfully,
Without an why, to call and crie &c.
Haphazard.
Then wend ye on and folow me, Mansipula, Mansipula.
Let cropyng cares be cast away, come folow me, come folow me,
Subseruus is a ioyly loute, brace Haphazard bould blinde bayarde,
A figge for his vncourtesie, that seekes to shun good company.
All
sing this.
When men will seeme misdoubtfully,
Without an why, to call and cry. &c.
The end of the song.
Heere Haphazard speaketh.
I by the Gods my maysters, I tould you plaine,
Who companyes with me, will desire me agayne:
But how dyd ye speede I pray ye shew me,
Was all well agreed, did no body blow ye.
Mansipulus.
Masse syr, hap dyd so happen, that my Lorde and maister,
Staied in beholding and viewing the Pasture.
Which when I perceiued, what excuse did I make?
I came in the crosse way, on the nerside the Forlake,
Hard by Hodges halfe aker, at gaffers Millers stile.
The next way round about, by the space of a mile,
And at Symkins side ridge, my Lord stoode talking,
And angerly to me (quoth he) wher hast thou ben walking
Without any staggeryng, I had ready my lye,
Your fatlings are feding well Sir, the Gods be praised,
A goodly loume of beef on them is all redy raised,
The outsteps on Frauncis Fabulator that was neuer my friende,
How past you Carters hay rocke, at long medow ende
There might one (quoth he) within this few dayes,
With a cast net had geuen .iiii. knaues great assayes:
Under the Hedge with a payre of new Cardes both rip and fledge,
Is it true quoth my Lorde, will this geare neuer be lefte,
This causes swearing, and staring, proling and thefte:
Well (quoth my Lorde) take hede least I finde it,
And so past his way, and did no more minde it.
Haphazard.
By the Gods that was sport, ye and sport alone,
Mansipula.
Yea, but I was in worse case by Saint Ihon,
My Lady in Church was set full douout,
And hearing my comming she tourned aboute:
But as soone as I heard hir snappishly sounde,
In this sorte I crouched me downe to the grounde,
And mannerly Maude, as though I were sad,
As soone as the Pue then strawed I had,
She gaue me a wincke, and frowardly frowne,
Wherby I do iudge, she woulde cougell my gowne:
Then I dyd deuise, a prety fine pranke,
A meane whereby to picke me a thanke:
Of Margery Mildon the maide of the Milke house,
And stainer the stutter the guid of the store house,
Then was my Ladies anger well gone,
And wilbe so still, and the truthe be not knowne.
Haphazard.
Ber Lady, barefoote this bakes trimly,
Subseruus.
Nay but I escaped more finely,
For I vnder this hedge one while dyd stay,
Then in this bushe, then in that way:
And seemed to common to, of things with the best,
But so it did happen, that all things were well,
But hazard it is, least time will truth tell.
Haphazard.
Tut, tut, that was but by hap, and if it be so,
Well sith it was in hazard then let it goo,
Subseruus.
Content by my honestie, then farewell all wo,
Mansipulus.
Come out dogge, ye speake happely of truth if it be so,
All
speake.
Now master Haphazard, fare you well for a season,
Haphazard,
Let my councell at no time with you be geason.
All
speaketh.
No by the Gods, be sure not so,
Haphazard.
Well sith here is no company haue with ye to Ierico.
Exit.
Enter Virginius.
What so the Gods they haue decreed to worke and do by me?
I meruaile why Iudge Apius he, such gretings lets me see:
I serued haue his seate, and state, I haue maintaind his weale,
I haue supprest the rebels stoute, I beare to him such zeale,
And now he sends to me such charge, vpon my life and lands,
Without demur, or further pause, or ere ought things be scand,
That I in hast, with posting speede, to Court I do repaire,
To aunswer that aleaged is, before his Iudgement Chaire,
Some Histories they do expresse, when such mishaps do fall,
They should haue tokens many a one, I haue not one but all:
My Iuels somtime precious, do vade and beare no hewe,
My sences they do shun there course, my lights do burne as blewe:
My willing wights are waxed slow, that once were swifte in speede
My hart it throbs in wonderous sort, my nose doth often bleede:
These tokens be of euell hap, this is the old wiues tale:
But yet O thou Virginius, whose hoary heares are olde,
Didst treason neuer yet commit, of this thou maist be bould:
In Mars his games, in marshall feates, thou wast his only aide,
The huge Carrebd his hazards thou, for him was ofte assaide:
Was Sillas force by thee oft shunde, or yet Adrice lande,
Laceface childe that Minnotaur, did cause thee euer stande:
To pleasure him, to serue thy leach, to keepe all things vpright,
Thou God aboue, then what is it, that yeeldeth me this spight?
Sith nothing neede misdoubted be, where grounded cause is none,
I enter will Iudge Apius gate, reiecting care and mone:
But stay Virginius, loe, thy Prince doth enter into place,
Oh sufferant Lord, and rightfull Iudge, the Gods do saue thy grace,
Here entreth Iudge Apius and Claudius.
With tender hart Virginius, thou welcome art to me,
I sory am to vtter out, the things I here of thee:
For Claudius a subiecte here, a man of mickle fame,
Appealeth thee before my Courte, in deede of open shame:
And though in deede I loue thee so, as thy deserts desier,
Yet not so but I must Iudgement geue, as Iustice doth require.
Virginius.
My Lord and reason good it is, your seruaunt doth request,
No parciall hand to aide his cause, no parciall minde or brest:
If ought I haue offended you, your Courte, or eke your Crowne,
From lofty top of Turret hie, persupetat me downe:
If treason none by me be done, or any fault committed,
Let my accusers beare the blame, and let me be remitted.
Apius.
Good reason to Virginius, come Claudius shew thy minde,
Let Iustice here, if Iudgment may, Virginius gilty finde
Claudius.
Thou sufferant Lord, and rightfull Iudge, this standeth now ye case,
Virginius a thrall of mine, a childe and infant yonge,
From me did take by subtell meane, and keepes by arme full strong
And here before your grace I craue, that Iustice be exstended,
That I may haue my thrall agayne, and faultes may be amended
Virginius.
Ah Gods that guide the globe aboue what forged tales I here,
Oh Iudge Apius, bend your eares, while this my crime I cleare:
She is my child, and of my wife her tender corpes did springe,
Let all the countrey where I dwell, beare witnesse of the thing.
Apius and Claudius go forth, but Apius speaketh this.
Nay by the Gods not so my friend, I do not so decree,
I charge thee here in paine of death, thou bring the maide to mee:
In chamber close, in prison sound, she secret shall abide,
And no kinde of wight shall talke with her, vntill the truth be tride:
This doo I charge, this I commaund, in paine of death let see,
Without any let, that she be brought, as prisoner vnto me:
Exit.
Here let Virginius go about the scaffold
Ah fickle faule, vnahppy dome, oh most vncertaine rate,
That euer chaunce so churlishly, that neuer staide in state:
What Iudge is this: what cruell wretch? what faith doth Claudius finde?
The Gods do recompence with shame, his false and faithles minde:
Well home I must, no remedy, where shall my soking teares,
Augment my woes, decrease my ioyes, while death do rid my feares
Here entreth Rumour.
Come Ventus come, blow forth thy blast,
Prince Eol listen well,
The filthiest fackte that euer was,
I Rumor now shall tell:
You gods bend downe to here my crie,
Thy Rumor craues did Claudius lay,
and bring Iudge Apius loe?
That wicked man, that fleshly Iudge,
hath hiered Claudius,
To claime a childe, the only heyre,
of olde Virginius.
A virgin pure, a Queene in life,
whose state may be deplored,
For why the Queene of chaste life,
is like to be defloured:
By false Iudge Apius cruell wretche,
who straightly hath commaunded,
That she to keping his be brought,
Prince Pluto this demaunded:
To skies I flie to blase abrode,
the trompe of depe defame,
Reuenge you Gods this Rumor craues,
this bloud and bloddy shame:
Haue through the ayre, geue place you ayres,
this is my dutye done,
The Gods confound such lecherers,
loe Rumor this I run.
Virginius.
O man, O mould, oh mucke, O clay, O Hell, O hellish hounde,
O faulse Iudge Apius wrablinge wretch, is this thy treason found:
Woe worth the man that gaue the seede, wherby yu first didst spring
Woe worth the wombe yt bare the babe, to meane this bluddy thing:
Woe worth the paps that gaue ye sucke, woe worth the Fosters eke
Woe worth all such as euer did, thy health or liking seeke:
Oh that the graued yeares of mine, were couered in the clay
Here entreth Virginia.
Let pacience deare father mine, your rigor something stay,
Why do you waile in such a sorte? why do you weepe and mone?
Oh doughter deare and only heyre, my life is neare forgone,
And all for loue of thee
Virginia.
A Gods how may this be?
Deare father do withdraw your dread, and let me know the cause,
My selfe wyll ayde with lyfe or death, without demur or pause:
Then tender your childe, that craueth this bound.
Virginius
Oh harken deare daughter attend thou my sounde:
Iudge Apius prickt forth with filthy desire:
Thy person as Lemmon, doth greatly require:
And no kinde of intreatie, no feare nor no shame,
Will he heare aledge, defending the same:
And straight without staying in paine of my death,
I must bring thee thither, wherfore stop my breath,
O Sisters, I search, I seeke, and I craue,
No more at your handes, but death for to haue,
Rather then see my Daughter deflourde,
Or els in ill sorte, so vildely deuourde.
Virginia.
Oh father, oh friendship, oh fatherly fauour,
Whose dulset words, so sweetly do sauour,
On knees I beseeche thee to graunt my request,
In all things according, as lyketh thee best:
Thou knowest, O my father, if I be once spotted,
My name and my kindred, then forth wilbe blotted:
And if thou my father, should die for my cause,
The world would accompt me as gilty in cause:
Then rather deare father, if it be thy pleasure,
Graunt me the death, then keepe I my treasure?
My Lampe, my light, my life vndefiled,
And so may Iudge Apius, of flesh be begiled:
This vpon my knees with humble beheste,
Graunt me O father my instant requeste.
Then ryse vp my daughter, my aunswere doo note,
From mouth of thy father, whose eyes do now flote:
O daughter, oh deare, O darling, oh dame,
Dispatch me I pray thee, regarde not my name:
But yet, as thou saiest sith remedy none,
But Lemmon thou must be, if I were gone,
And better it is to dye with good fame,
Then longer to liue to reape vs but shame:
But if thou do dye, no doubt is at all,
But presently after my selfe folow shall,
Then end without shame so let vs perseuer,
With trompe of good fame so dye shall we neuer.
Virginia
here kneeleth.
Then tender armes complect the neck, doo dry thy fathers teares,
You nimble handes for wo whereof, my louing hart it weares:
Oh father mine, refraine no whit, your sharped knife to take,
From giltles sheath, my shame to ende, and body dead to make:
Let not the shameles blouddy iudge, defile my virgins life,
Doe take my head and send it him, vpon your bloudy knife:
Bid him imbrue his bloudy handes, in giltles bloud of mee:
I virgin dye, he leacher liues, he was my ende you see:
No more delayes, lo kisse me first, then stretch your strongest arme,
Do ryd my woe, increase my ioy, do ease your childe of harme.
Virginius.
O weary wittes of wo, or wealth, oh feble aged man,
How can thy arme geue such a blow, thy death I wishe thee than:
But sith that shame with endles trompe, wil sounde if case thou ioy,
By meanes of false iudge Apius he, myselfe will thee destroy:
Forgeue me babe this bloudy deede, and meekely take thy ende,
Here let him profer a blowe,
[Virginia]
The Gods forgeue thee father deare, farewell, thy blow do bend:
Yet stay a whyle, o father deare, for fleash to death is fraile,
Let first my wimple bind my eyes, and then thy blow assaile.
Now father worke thy will on me, that life I may inioy.
[Virginius]
Now stretch thy hand Virginius, that loth would flesh distroy.
O cruell handes, or blouddy knife, o man what hast thou done,
Thy daughter deare, and onely heyre, hir vitall ende hath wone:
Come fatall blade make lyke dispatche, come Atropos, come ende,
Strike home thou careles arme with speede, of death be not afrayde.
Here entreth Comfort.
Oh noble knight Virginius, do stay, be not dismayde.
I curing Comfort present am, your doller to ayde:
Virginius.
Sith ioy is gone, sith life is deade:
What comfort can there be?
Nomore there is but deepe dispaire,
And deadly death to me:
Comfort:
Nomore Sir knight, but take the head, and wende a while with me,
It shalbe sent to court, for that Iudge Apius may it se,
In recompence of leachors lust, this present let him haue,
And stay your corps for certaine space, in coping from the graue:
So shall you see the end of him, and all his whole consent.
This wilbe comfort to your harte, Virginius be content.
Virginius.
Of truth euen so, for Comfort els, I know, right well is none,
Wherefore I doe consent with you, come on let vs be gone:
But messenger my selfe wyll bee, my self will geue the gifte,
Come on good Comfort, wend we then, there is no other shifte
Exit.
Here entreth Iudge Apius.
Well hap as can hap, or no,
In hazard it is but let let that goe,
I wyll what so happen persue on still,
Why none there is liuing, can let me my wyll:
I will haue Virginia, I will hir defloure,
Els rigorous sword, hir hart shall deuoure.
I came from Caleco euen the same houre,
And Hap was hyred to hackney in hempstrid,
In hazard he was of riding on beamestrid,
Then crow crop on tree top hoist vp the sayle,
Then groned their neckes, by the weight of their tayle,
Then dyd Carnifex, put these three together,
Payd them their pasporte for clustring thither.
Apius.
Why how now Haphazard, of what doest thou speake?
Me thinks in mad sort, thy talke thou doest breake,
Those three words chopt all in one,
Is Carnifex that signifieth a Hangman:
Peace no such words before me do vtter,
Haphazard.
Nay I lye as still as a Cat in a gutter.
Go to Iudge Apius, go forward good Prince,
Perhaps ye may haue that, the which wyll not blince.
Apius.
What is the man that liueth now so neare to doore of death?
As I for lust of Lady faire, whose lacke will stop my breth:
But long I shall not want her sight, I stay her comming heere,
Oh lucky light, lo present heere hir father doth appeare,
Oh how I ioy, yet bragge thou not, Dame beuty bides behinde,
Virginius, where is the maide? how haps thou breakes my minde?
Here entreth Virginius.
Ah wicked Iudge the Uirgin chaste,
Hath sent her beutious face,
In recompence of Lechour gaine,
To thee so voide of grace:
She bids thee imbrue thy bloudy handes,
And filthy Lecherous minde:
Where such thou haps to finde:
But thou as with Dianas ympes,
Salt neuer be acquainted.
They rather wishe the naked knife,
The Uirgins life attainted:
In ende iust profe whereof,
Beholde Virginias heade:
She sought hir fame, thou soughts hir shame,
This arme hath smit her dead.
Apius.
Oh curst and cruell cankard churle, oh carll vnnaturall,
Which hast the seede of thine owne lym, thrust forth to funerall:
Ye Gods bend downe your yre, do plague him for his deede,
You sprites below, you hellish houndes, do geue him gaule for meed:
My self will se his latter end, I Iudge him to the death,
Like death that faire Virginia toke, the lyke shall stop his breath:
Then flasky feends of Lymbo lake, his ghost do so tormoyle,
That he haue neede of Carons helpe, for all his filthy toyle:
Come Iustice then, come on Rewarde, come ayde me in my neede,
Thou wicked knight shal slaughter be, wt self same knife with speed.
Virginius.
Sith she a virgine pure and chast, in heauen leades hir life,
Content I am to dye with her, and dye vpon her knife.
Apius.
Come Iustice then, come on reward, when Iudgment now doth cal.
Heere entreth Iustice and Reward. And they both speake this.
We both are ready here at hande, to worke thy fatall fall.
Iustice.
Oh gorgan Iudge, what lawles life hast thou most wicked led?
Thy soking sinne hath sonke thy soule, thy vertues all are fled:
Thou chast and vndefiled life didest seeke for to haue spotted,
And thy Reward is ready here, by Iustice now alotted.
Thy iust Reward, is deadly death, wherefore come wend away,
To death I straight will do thy corps, then lust shall haue his pray:
Viginius thou wofull knight, come neare and take thy foe,
In prison thou make him fast, no more let him do so:
Let Claudius for tirrany be hanged on a tree.
Virginius.
Ah right Reward, the Gods be blist,
This day I chaunce to see.
Haphazard.
Why how now my lord Apius, what cheare?
Why where is my Reward for this geare?
Why dyd I ride run and reuell,
And for all my iaunting now am made a Iauell?
Why run sir knaue call me Claudius?
Then run with a vengeaunce watch Virgnius,
Then ride sirra, is Virginia at Church,
Then gallope to see where her father doth lurche,
Then vp sirra, now what counsell?
Of Dame bewty what newes canst thou tell?
Thus in hurly burly from piller to poste,
Poore Haphazard daily was toste,
And now with Virginius he goes sadly walking,
And nothing at all will listen my talking,
But shall I be so vsed at his hands,
As leue I were neare in Limbo bands,
That Dronel, that drowsy Drakenosed driuill,
He neuer learned his manners in Siuill:
A Iudge may cause a gentleman, a gentleman nay a iack hearinge
As honest as he that caries his hose on his neck for feare of wering
A Caitife, a Cutthrote, a churle worthy blame,
I wyll serue him no longer the Deuill geue him shame:
Yet by the Mouse foote, I am not content,
I will haue a reward sure els will I repent,
To master reward I straight waies will go,
But sure I know his honesty is such,
That he will recompence me, with litle or much:
And well this prouerb commeth in my head,
Birlady halfe a loafe is better then nere a whit of bread,
Therefore hap, and be happely, hap that hap may,
I wyll put it in hazard, I geue it assay:
Alhayle, maister Reward and rightuous Iustice,
I beseech you let me be recompenced to, according to my seruice,
For why all this long time I haue liued in hope,
Rewarde.
Then for thy reward, then here is a rope.
Haphazard.
Nay softe my maisters by saincte Thomas of trunions,
I am not disposed to by of your onions:
A rope (quoth you) away with that showing,
It would greue a man hauing two plowes goyng,
Nay stay I pray you, and let the Cat winke,
It is naught in dry sommer, for letting my drinke.
Iustice.
Let or let not there is no remedy, hanging shalbe thy reward verely
Haphazard.
Is there nothing but hanging to my lot doth fall,
Then take you my rewarde much good doo it you withall.
I am not so hasty although I be clayming,
But that I can aford you, the most of my gayning:
I wyll set, let, graunt, yelde, permit and promise,
All the reuenewes to you of my seruice:
I am friendly, I am kindly, I proffer you faire,
You shall be my ful executor and heyre.
Reward.
Nay make you ready first to dye by the roode,
Then we will dispose it as we think it good:
Then those that with you to this dyd consent,
[OMITTED]e lyke reward shall cause them repent.
Nay stay a while Virginius is comming,
Nay soft Haphazard you are not so cunning,
prece to go foorth.
Thus to escape without punishment,
Rewarde.
No certis it is not so expedient,
Here entreth Virginius.
Oh noble Iustice duty done, behold I come againe,
To shew you that Apius he him selfe hath lewdly slaine,
As soone as he in prison was enclosed out of sight.
He desperate for bluddy deede, did slea him selfe out right,
And Claudius doth mercy craue who did the deede for feare,
Uoutchsafe oh Iudge to saue his life, though countrie he forbeare.
Iustice.
We graunt him grace at thy request, but bannish him the lande,
And see that death be done out right on him that here doth stand.
Haphazard.
Nay M. Virginius take him by the hande
I craue not for seruice the thing worth ought,
Hanging quoth you, it is the last end of my thought
Fye for shame fye, stay by my fathers soule,
Why this is like to Tom turners doule.
Hang one man, and saue all the rest,
Take part one with another, plaine dealing is best.
Rewarde.
This is our dealing, thus deale we with thee,
Take him hence Virginius goe trusse him to a tree.
Haphazard.
Ye shall in a ropes name, whether away with me.
Virginius.
Come wend thou in haste, thy death for to take,
To the hangman I will leade thee, a quicke dispatch to make.
Must I needes hange, by the gods it doth spight me,
To thinke how crabbedly this silke lase will bite me:
Then come cosin cutpurs, come runne haste and folow me,
Haphazard, must hange, come folow the lyuerie.
Exit.
Iustice.
Well wende we now the finall ende of fleshly lust wee see.
Reward.
Content Rewarde is ready bent with Iustice to agree.
Here entreth Fame.
Oh stay, you noble Iustice stay, Reward do make no haste,
We Ladies three haue brought ye Corse in earth that must be plaste.
Doctrina and Memorie and Virginius bring a tome.
We haue braught backe Virginius, the funerall to see,
I graunt him that the learned pen shall haue the ayde of mee:
To wright in learned verse the honor of hir name.
Fame.
And eke it shall resownd by trompe of me Dame Fame.
Here let Memorie wright on the tome.
I Memorie will minde hir life, hir death shall euer raine.
Within the mouth and minde of man, from age to age againe.
Iustice.
And Iustice sure will ayde all those that immitate hir lyfe.
Rewarde.
[OMITTED] warde will punnish those that moue such dames to st[OMITTED]
Then sing we round about the Tome in honour of hir name,
Reward.
Content we are with willing minde to sing with sound of Fame.
| A new Tragicall Comedie of Apius and Virginia | |