University of Virginia Library

Scen. 5.

Martagon, Cynosbatus, Agnostus, Poneria.
Ma.
Lady Poneria, upon your commendation,
We bestow a regiment upon this Gentleman.

Po.
Thanks (worthy Martagon) beleeve it Sir,
Those good respects which I to your affaires owe,
Vrg'd me t'importune you for his employment,
Because I know him to be a tri'd souldier,
Of great experience, worth and merit:
How say you, Colonell Agnostus,
I hope your actions shall make good my words hereafter.

Ag.
I am at your service, Madam Poneria:
I am a man of action, I confesse.

Po.
Trust me sir, although he wants verball expression,
He is a Gentleman of singular abilities.

Ma.
And I thinke no lesse, for th'are not good words
That makes deserving souldiers, but good swords.

Cy.
He lookes as if he had bin bred, borne,
And brought up in a Leager all his life time.

Enter Gladiolus.
Gla.
Noble Generall; the beaut'ous Eglantine
Wisheth all happinesse to your designes,
Desiring that this paper may kisse your hands for her.

He opens the Letter.
Ma.
Tis about a place, Ile pawne my life on't:
Heare me Mounsier, I understand the businesse:
Her request is granted.
She when she please, may at my hands command
A greater curtesie then this.

Gla.
Thanks honor'd Sir.

Ma.
On you I bestow a Captaines place.

Gla.
Now I perceive that the readi'st way to attaine
Preferment in the Court of Mars,
Is to creepe into the favour of Venus.

Ma.
I understand you are a man of reall worth,
And very sufficient for such an office.

Enter Acanthus
Ac.
Imperious Martagon, that art no lesse
Knowne for thy power, then thy wickednesse:
In Rhodons name I doe defie thee here,
Who chalengeth the Combat at thy hands,
To be aveng'd on thee for thy foule wrongs:
But if thou dar'st not in a single fight,
Give satisfaction to the noble Shepheard;
Then thee and all thy troopes he doth invite,
To a bloudy breakfast to morrow morne.
Attended by a vigorous army he
Stands in the confines of his owne dominions,
Swearing that he will prove it in the field,
That thou a tyrant and a traitour art.

Ma.
Bold friend, I prethe speake ingeniously,
Doth this defiance come from Rhodons mouth.

Ac.
Vpon my life, & by the honor of a souldier it doth.

Ma.
Then tell him, I'me resolu'd to be a guest,
More bold then welcome at his bloudy feast.

Ac.
I will great Martagon; and misdoubt not,
But that your cheere shall be exceeding hot.
Exit Aca.

Ma.
Dissembling witch: how hast thou beguil'd us?

Po.
What aduerse power hath crost our plot?

Ma.
Did'st not thou with thy deep protestatiōs force us
To give strong credence to thy false relations,
When thou affirm'dst that thou hadst poyson'd Rhodon.

Po.
The opposition of the cursed fates
Hath brought us to deseru'd confusion.

Ma.
Avant you hagge, abhominable sorceresse,
Here I doe thee on paine of death enioyne,
With that Impostor thy companion,
Immediately to depart out of my Dominions.

Po.
Now I accursed wretch have seene too well,
That heaven will not be overrul'd by hell.

Ag.
How sodainly by one contrarious gust,
Is all our honour tumbled into dust.

Ma.
Since that our brauing foe is now at hand,
(Cynosbatus) we must not thinke of a retreat.

Cy.
What your discretion holds fit to be done,
I condiscend to noble Martagon.

Ma.
Then let us meet our proud foe face to face,
And with our swords and speares that right maintaine,
Which lately we by sword and speare did gaine.

exeunt.