University of Virginia Library

The fift Act.

Enter Athenio, Abner and Mineus at one dore, there meets them, Caspilona, Aretas, and Dora, at the other dore.
Casp.
My Lord Generall of Stelern welcome
welcome to Lirenda, thou faire son of Mars.

Abn.
My Lord Caspilona, we gratulate
your safe escape,

Casp.
Most hearty thanks,

Athe.
Now we may boldly coape with our insulting
dominiering foes, whose arrogant pride
contemn'd this nation with an infamous
report of cowardize; base rascalls, they
shall know we have undaunted spirits left
to quell their treacherous malignant power;
their breach of publique faith, granting quarter
then after falsely murdering them,

Abn.
Is't possible,
that men who knowes the Law of Armes, should be
so absurd, so prophane,

Casp.
The universe
cannot parallell like bloodie massakers
odious to God and man,

Abn.
Believe me 'twill
end shamefully, such actions cannot thrive,

Athe.
Ought we not deale with theirs we vanquish so

Abn.
We scorne to imitate their basenes, what
we doe shall be in a nobler honest way,
true Martiall discipline,

Athe.
Which they will ne're observe,
A Trumpet.
what meanes this warning of the trumpet sound.

Aret.
Some newes is posting hither,

Athe.
What tidings Lentimos?

Enter Lentimos.
Lent.
Arme good, my Lord, with speed Marquis Osirus,
with a powerfull Army, march hitherward,
and hath already beene at Motilin
where his rude, boysterous followers, put
men, women, children to the sword, for certaine
'tis reported, they bend their forces thence to Fosse,

Abn.
Where they, God willing, shall have a bloodie
banquet, Come cheerefully, my Lords meet those
that came so farre to seeke your manfull blowes,

Exeunt.
Enter Lisana, Tigranes, Tibernus and Souldiers. Beate a march.
Tigr.
Though we come short in our designe of Fosse,
or must retreate from that unlukie towne,
'tis not the bruite of Abners hasty march
with the whole strength of Stelern, shoo'd make us
stirre a foote, did his numbers equall great
Xerxes army, that dranke up rivers drye,
the world shall testifie our willingnes
to meet him when, and where he list;

1. Sould.
But not
with more hast then good speed sweet Sir
Ieeringly aside.
I thinke we have been pretty well beaten else,
for all good tokens, a witch, a whote, gave me
such a damnable thumpe of a stone, my
shoulders feeles the weight out yet,

2. Sould.
Curse out for me:
'twas a plaguie skirmish, they fought like divells
within, an' yee be wise not a word O fighting
more

Lysa.
We need not urge them to an open field
for so it might prove dangerous, our men
you see are not themselves, much weakened by
this farre and toylesome journey?

Tigr.
Wonder invades me,
you should thinke our forces lost both courage
and experience, as if they had been
light brained weakelings, guided by misfortune
where no resistance could secure their lives
wast ever knowne they went a step to shune
their foes, No, nor will not now I hope beginne
whil'st these undaunted squadrons are reputed
Souldiers fit to serve any Prince on earth,
men that regards not toyle, travaile, penurie
or sicknesse, nothing can divert them from
a glorious conquest, the aime a valorous
intention levells at:

Lysa.
I would you knew
the proudest Monarch of the western globe,
hath beene as circumspect as valorous,
least some strange accident might drowne their greatnes
in Lethæs flowing streames, then why not we,
since our auspicious stars, hath made our actions
shine like theirs, in equall glory, then I pray,
ought we not be as circumspect as they?

Tigr.
You speake as if you stood in feare of them,

Tib.
Come leave this different discourse, the question
is, whether Marquis Osirus will towards
home, or fall on the next garisons?

Tigr.
With my consent, there should not be a Castle
left unlevell'd with the ground,

1. Sould.
Soft and faire:
th'ave gotten guns and powder, will make us
smoke ifaith;

Ieeringlye aside.
2. Sould.
Deckins take them now of late,
they are growne mighty valiant,

1. Sould.
Stout fellowes,

2. Sould.
An I could to my granam once againe
I'de ne're come looke for land in Stelern more,

1. Sould.
Them wood for me I wish might die a pander,

2. Sould.
And with lesse wit then either goose, or gander.

Enter Osirus.
Osir.
What serious conference is this betweene
you gentlemen, are you growne faint of late
see the multitude of your encreasing foes
how earnest they like venom'd spiders hast
to take us in a tangled web of woe,
and here you stand aloofe, like men dismaid,
as if it nought concern'd to heare or see,
the subject of Lirendas Tragedie?

Tigr.
Wee onely waite your honors chiefe command,

Osir.
For shame speed to your severall troopes, let not
your warme blood freeze in them active veines, whilst
such a noble blest occasions offer'd.
Come then couragiously, and the day's yours
in spight of hell, and all malignant powers.

Exeunt.
Soone after th'Alarums begun, Enter Lysana his weapon drawne.
Lyra.
All, all's lost, our troupes are broken basely;
O that I had a paire of Dedalus wings,
or mounted on swift Pegassus to passe
from hence invisible, my thoughts foretold
this heavy dismall day, I would begon
but that I know not whither, and want a guide,
a guide, a guide, a thousand pound for a guide,
feare makes them deafe, they cannot heare the golden
offers of great Lestrell's sonne, well then I will
proclaime it once again; five thousand pound,
ten thousand for a guide, my whole estate
to him will be my guide.

Exit.
Osirus and Abner meets severally weapons drawne.
Alarums.
Abne.
Vive le Roy; advance th'artillery is ours.

Osir.
Not so fast bold Traytor stand:

Abn.
Traytor Sir,
as loyall to my Soveraigne as thy selfe,
and to thy face I vouch it now proud Marquis
They fight, Abner closes Within him.
Yeeld sir yeeld, you are my lawfull prisoner:

Osir.
Thine? let him perish yeelds to any of
thy faction.

Enter Tigranes.
Tigr.
Rescue the generall's in danger;

Alarums.
Here Tigranes renewes the fight, Dora steps in and knocks downe Tigranes, Tibernus to his rescue, where after a short skirmish they retire fighting severally.
Exeunt.
Enter Abner, Athenio, Mineus, Aretas, Caspilona, and Dora.
Abner.
They cannot boast our reputations blemisht
in the losse of this late victorie so
faire lye ours, No the chance of war's uncertaine,
and no man ought to grudge at what is past,
since them we did encounter last, are fled,
loaden with the luggage of your heavy blowes
and glad to scape so to; but least some carping
Momu's falsely might, attribute to our actions,
what destinie, brings on the stoutest he
that lives; were not the gods constrain'd to hide
themselves in hollow caves of Egypt, when
fierce Typheus, did pursue their deityes;
and mighty Cesar to was glad to flye
from stout Lord Nennius in the Brittans warre,
then wounded with his owne infected weapon:
how many like examples could I mention
of powerfull armyes overthrowne by fate;
witnes Xerxes, Hanniball, Darius, the
Grecian Troupes at Troy, Troyans themselves,
Emperors, Kings, Princes, Dukes, men whose
aspiring thoughts mounted above the clouds,
yet were brought low, and raised againe, as wavering
fortune went, which best becomes a Souldier,
and proves him truely valiant, that will sleight,
the frowning chekes of proud Bellona's height:
since nothing can be more commendable,
then an undanted generous spirit,
(the square true warlike vertues measured by,)
I dare assure the meanest of this nation
will maintaine it, that posteritie may have
a patterne sit for them to imitate,
briefely, let's bravely forward that we may,
regaine more then is lost another day;

Exeunt.
Enter two Souldiers merrily disposed, singing the following Song.
1. Sould.

2. Sould.

1. Sould.

2. Sould.

1. Sould.

2. Sould.

1. Sould.


hang melancholly, a pound of sorrow
will not pay an ounce of debt, so mad cap so:

Claps him in on the shoulder.
2. Sould.
Zlid I have sown all my wild oates already:

1. Sould.
VVild as a bucke, or tame as a ducke,
Or sillier then a coxcombe,
No land, no wealth, no thanks in health,
And is't not therefore all's one?

2. Sould.
This riming humor likes me well:

Enter another Souldier.
3. Sould.
Newes, newes,

2. Sould.
And what's thy newes good-man foole,

3. Sould.
Brave newes.
our generall Sir Vavasiro:

2. Sould.
And what of him?

3. Sould.
Sayes we shall have old cutting throates anon,
and pillage boyes, pillage till yee sweat againe,

1. Sould.
The Castle is not yeelded yet,

3. Sould.
Within an houre
it will at farthest, where if we doe not
dance attendance quickly, others will play
at sweepe stakes all.

1. Sould.
Very true, an honest lad;

2. Sould.
A very, very arrant—honest lad

Exeunt,
A short Alarum, Enter Souldiers dragging in men and women whom they kill, then falls off.
Enter Caspilona, Dora, and Lentimos.
Casp.
You see this dolefull object gentlemen
and perceive what need our friends have of some
swift assistance, that peradventure might
redeeme more then is held expedient,
we are not therefore come to loose time in
a tedious consultation, seeing
your worth and valours knowne already,
then name of God charge home: lets hast away,
Heaven will assuredly grant this our day,

Exeunt.
Alarums with Drum and Trumpet, Enter Vavasiro, pursued by Caspilona.
Casp.
Wee thought Angolean sparkes could not tell how
to run before; proud Vavasiro dyes:

Vava.
O spare my life victorious Caspilona,
and I will faithfull submit thy contrite
prisoner.

Casp.
That but immediately didst bucher
those, without remorse or pity, goe learne
to be a penitent, and know we use
mercy to them, doth ours more oft abuse.

He leads him of, A prisoner, Exeunt.
Enter, Athenio, Mineus, Aretas and Dora.
Athe.
Now he perceives his mischievous intention,
will not take, makes him the more adventurous
or rather desperate, that no advice
(from his best friends) can persuade him once to
slake, what lyes in him to execute, though
it sinke him deeper then the worst of evills,
or that he may be disapointed, yet
will not seeme to know it, so farre, a bloody
passion doth transport him, that he reflects
on nothing but revenge; whom to surprise
or murder, (though innocent,) he makes no
scruple on't, more then Cola did before he fell
under the waight of his owne vices:

Mine.
A Tyger,
truly by name and nature, a slave too,
that torments himselfe worse then he can doe us,
how good a face soever he puts on,
or that rude multitude doth follow him:
we are become their betters in the field
heaven favouring us with good successe, that
now their malice shewes not halfe the violence
that hitherto it did, though no good will
be wanting to effect it, if they could,
wherefore 'tis certaine then, he that will steere
blacke envies barke, in a warme Sea of blood,
must justly perish in that fatall flood

Aret.
To witnes this let me present unto
Your memory a few in Stelern only,
that like a torrent of impetuous furie
went raging downe the steep descent of death:
and lost themselves therein; Albinus, Celar,
Daretas, Philanax, with their Rabi,
ringleader, Sir Carola Cola, (for whose
deere sake they yet lament, whereby 'tis palpable,
heaven grieves at our reproach.

Dora.
We could rehearse
as many more sufficient to amaze
the most obdurates Round-head of them all,
but to expresse; that we regard Tygranes
forces lesse, then may be spoken of, whilest
we can wield these armes, such cutting weapons
that can soone decide, the best of eithers right

Enter Lentimos.
Mine.
Behold Lentimos with some sad newes it's fear'd

Athe.
It shall not worke in us the worst may follow,
Now Cuze, how goes squares abroade.

Lent.
That Lord Tigranes
with his army doth commit all kinde of
cruelties, and march directly hither:

Athe.
What strength can you discover him to be?

Lent.
About five thousand, horse and foote,

Athe.
Were he ten thousand strong it matters not
wee'll expect him at Lesterne passage, goe
take a hundred musqueteers along with you,
and make it good before his van arrives:
wee'll follow after in all convenient
Exit Lentimos.
speed: Wee are not ignorant, noble kinsmen,
how insolent, bold, and audacious
these forlorne wretches doe contest with us,
for what's our birth-right and inheritance,
that in defence of that, or what is deerest
to us, wee are to expose our selves to death,
the wrong done our poore harmeles people, all
the most studied torments was inflicted
on them, for which wee chiefely move, attired
in armes to rouze their stupid conscience that
will strictly answer for't; whil'st now each goodnes
doth forsake them; it cannot passe so currant
but wee may give an end to their vaine hopes,
heaven yeelding us that priviledge, though not
worthy yet wee need not doubt it; Then let us
arme, as well interiour, as exteriourly,
to be in a fit posture 'gainst he comes
let trumpets sound, strike up our Martiall drums:

Drum and Trumpets as they depart.
Enter Tigranes and Tibernus.
Tigr.
Where lyes their Campe?

Tib.
A Lestern passage some some three
miles distant hence,

Tigr.
Are they strongly fortified.

Tiber.
Impregnable,
and hardly can be forc'd, without great losse
of ours,

Tigr.
Have they artillery thinke you,

Tib.
Yes some small piece they have,

Tigr.
Which shall be mine,
or mine theirs ere bright Titans rayes decline,
goe, bid the officers be readie, for
intend to march against them presently
Exit Tibernus.
a Curse on his life for me, that will not breake
on them, or use the most extremitie he
can devise, a storme of tortures, untill
the mountaine of their vicious will
are brought to nothing; O that it lay within
my power to cut off roote and branch together,
if not, be sure, I'le doe my best endeavour.

Exit.
Soone after the Alarums begun hee returnes with his weapon drawne.
Tigr.
All will not doe, some horrible wicked
destinie befriends them, our men drop downe
on every side, whereat they seeme to scoffe,
and floute, not giving ground an inch, well,
well, Tigranes shall not be affronted thus
I'le sooner die, and fight it out to the
last man, death shall not hold me.

Enter Tibernus.
Tiber.
Remove your standing Sir,
I doe beseech you Sir withdraw your person
to some other place: for hence I can descrie
a piece right levell'd to give fire at you;

Tigr.
That man is curst in his mothers wombe, will
shun a Canon shot A shot is given forth.
ah, I am wounded, wounded,
beyond recovery, Now, O now I feele
the painefull seizures of untimely death,
on the remainder of my vitall breath,
vaine world adieu, farewell brave Souldiers all
be not dismaid, at Lord Tigrane's fall;

Tibe.
Heaven's blessed messenger, receive thy soule.

Souldiers steps in.
Sould.
But is he dead indeed?

Tibe.
As cold as stone;

1. Sould.
Wee that have loved him when he lived, & found
his open heart, a Magazine of bountie,
must (if nature be not too ungratefull,)
shed brinish teares,

Tiber.
That were effeminate,
and indiscretion too, Now hee's lost, if in
the view of our adversaries we seeme
to grieve, it may occasion greater evills,
having th'advantage of our generall losse;
then silence best becomes you, for the present
all that is requisite must be to beare
his bodie hence unto his tent; so sadly on,
that when true sorrow's in the hearts of all
his Corps may have a noble funerall:

Exeunt.
Beat a march, Enter Abner, Athenio, Mineus, Aretas, Dora, and Lentimos.
Athe.
Thus through the helpe, and furtherance of heaven
our most malignant enemy's overcome
glad to play least in sight, went sneking home,
who not long since, for oathes, and threatnings might
terrifie the gods, or subdue the world,
that neither Heaven nor Hell was thought on once,
or what was spoken of them were but fictions
which lead them to the gulfe of desperation.

Abn.
We must pursue this blessed victorie,
making our withered hopes, bud forth in blossomes
of never fading honour:

Dora.
It adds unto
our comfort Noble friends, that Caspilona
goes on bravely to,

Abn.
Yes, and God willing
we intend so to, untill we purge the
Kingdome of these drones, them viperous Locusts;
Come follow me,

Lent.
But stay my Lord, here comes
a Post with letters to your Lordship;

Enter a Post with letters.
Abn.
How letters? let me see;
had they defer'd it but one fortnight longer,

Athe.
What newes doe them import?

Abn.
A proclamation,
for one whole twelve moneth and a day's Cessation,

Lent.
This works in us a greater admiration
that being in the full height of our conquest
as prosperous as might be expected
brave Abner's shining vertues like the Sun
out of a new Horizon, all the graces
delighfull Mars could give, or we deserve,
must through this needles fond cessation, rest
on the drowsie Couch of darke Oblivion;
it is a pill few Souldiers can digest;

Athe.
Which best approves our loyaltie,

Abn.
But you.
and we must yeeld obedience to it,
though not so well contented; howsoever
your forces must unto their garisons,
And if our wrongs be not repaired thereby
we will againe, renew this Tragedie.

Exeunt.
Solemne Musick's heard: whil'st an Angell appeares to perclose the Scæne, with this following Song.

Musicke as the Angell vanisheth.