University of Virginia Library

Act 1.

Scen. 1.

Aberden, Yernomy, Fafrisius, Buzaraine, Nevermo, Drum, Trumpet, a Florish, Souldiers.
Aber.
Receiv'd with gladness still my Lords you are,
Gladly receiv'd, I say; we'l suffer all
Our hands to be now numb'd with sense, let fall
Our deadly swords; nothing in opposition
Stands, we hear, but the whole Universe
Endures in a paralectick posture; vast
Worlds did Julius Cesar conquer, yet ne're
Was able to withdraw our minds, but forc't
To fly our summons; we'l range the steepy
Bancks, those which with rudenesse hide
Titan his raies, seek some terra incognita.
Where men are absent, beasts may fulfil
Our Warlike, yet not willful, incentions;
Let us find it out, that by the prospect
We'l gain the Victory, and surround the foe,
Drench their hot hearts, as we all else, you know.

Yer.
None dare appear: but Numenia land
Is said to have a will, bent to withstand
Your Majesties (dread Soveraign) Army, for
To know the right of Kingdoms, we abhor.

Faf.
The same, great Aberden, I will confirm, that
They did help with unknown, potent strength,
The last great Camp we rais'd; shewing to them
Benigne favours, so they took them for their friends,
No foe; which caus'd detard in winning the
Rich Trophies, that you overcame at length.

Aber.
What? sure it cannot be; but if perchance
That they do act a matter so disliking
Me and mine, they shall not further trouble
Their dull braines to make a search in pursuit
After it; but I will so imploy their
Grasping hands, to set all labour by, but what
Concerns the martiall Banner, and bring it
Home to them; War, which treads dame Nature's
Courses, trampling under feet, her set
Delivered forms, shall disclose, inclose to
This Realm, strange unheard Iles. Numenia,
With the rest of former Victories, shall
Know my tribute; and I'l quickly see
Wherein they my great force do disobay,
Find them as farre as stars doth light the way.

Buz.
Then let us make a rule, and raise a Camp,
Fall on them undiscreatly, and berdane
Their Forces of a time, in which they
Premeditating, may find Ammunition
To dissolve our Troops, and to disgorge
The obdure faculty of their sense,
Defraud them in the time, and send them all
To the native Earth, the Mother which they call,
And fitly may be term'd so, and boyling
Blood into the air, by the meteorious form
Of it, a strange essence make, a full
Similitude betwixt, we foresee they
Purpose for to lead on; but let us go.

Aber.
Pray know for what, and why you do so,

Nev.
The thing is known, Aberden; yea, it is,
Great Soveraign.

Aber,
See that the thing be fit,
And bear, within its selfe, the full prologue
Whereby it purposes to maintain its selfe,
For too rash Counsell often breeds within
A subject height, which may be call'd a sin,
And that in prodigality, then done
Beside its shifts, it can no other shun,
But come to ruine.

Yer.
I, it is so, but this is not so bent,
Because, great King, we have Your Counsel in't.

Aber.
But for I know, rash counsel doth maintain.

Faf.
Fear not that thought, for it will prove most vaine,

Aber.
If it be so, yet danger may be with

Buz.
It cannot be, it is a thing of mirth.

Aber.
Your censure so the subject for to be.

Nev.
Yea, that we do, that to eternity.

Yer.
So, shall we move with freenesse, till we come
To that same object, which we in delay,
Do stand most fearfull of, hoyst sails
To it, search the triangular shapes
Within its Region, where all the Pole doth count
Full fifty Degrees it doth with height surmount,
Yet comes not near the torrid Zone, whereby
Our skins are scorched, and our flesh doth fry;
We'l know the nature of Numenia's Land,
In what longitude, or latitude doth stand.

Aber.
We'l know my Son his resolution to
This great design, this overtaking of
(I hope it will not be so as I call or prove
In it) our strange unseeming enterprise,
In following that my subjects do devise.

Exeunt.

Scen. 2.

Hollarro alone.
Hol.
Stentorian voyces doth surround my ear,
Echoing within the concave of the terrestiall
Ball, all dolefull sighs doth pierce my tender
Sense, of hearing; from those our spoyls
Formerly obtained, and deeply groaning.
Bidding farewell to Neighbours and their friends,
With clamorous noyses of loath departing,
And still Bizantia stands, who feeds the blood
Of free born souls, who wisheth nothing but
Th'element they move on; Oh spirits
Generous, who nothing else desire to be
Sepulchers for their falling lumps;
What, is it thought a vapour impure,
Of restless waters, can withdraw the fight
Of quick-sight fury, or the bellowing waves,
Stopt danger courses so, which gravell not
Below, but fly above, the sense perceiving,
And shall we thus decrepit rest at length
Which will accompanied be with flegmatick
And cholerous humours, for to be drawn
Out by artificiall manner, skill, and art,
As verity doth us shew, whose Turrets
In a Tapers manner gives light to all
Our Hospitality, and yet we are almost
Stupid, lull'd with idleness, nothing but
Slumbring dreams doth take abode and seize
Upon our faculties: rowse, rowse, your leaden sense,
Display your Arms, cleanse rusty swords amain,
Look out your Helmets, Coats, bring home againe
Your lost deceiving follies, search them out,
And let not rust and canker turne their edge from
Shedding blood; let not the hymns of musick
Dull your ears, let Drums and Trumpets sound
Still your intentions, untill there be found
No vile lascivious fact with wanton ones,
Which brings dull hearts, and lingeringness in bones,
Hollarro's part doth differ far from it:
They'l know as much, if they then defraud not
Their much infeebled hands, for th'star where I,
And under which my native time did come,
Did impregnate here in stout acts to be
As valour, rage, choller, blood, temper, free.

Adrenimia with Attendants.
Adre.
Hollarro Prince, my son and onely joy,
The matter still stands in a doubtfull way,
To whom it bends, your judgement Prince, I pray,
Decides the cause, Aberdens fickle will
Runs hazzard, yet on tiptoes, whether the heads
Be mine or no.

Holl.
Great Queen, you know,
I nere led my mind in opposition
To the same decree; let not deboysterous
Humours so vail your discretion for
Aberden the King, cannot deny,
I'l undertake with temperance so far,
Without a self-disaster, to bring on
The purpose to a head, if you'l detard
Procrastinate the thing which you have heard,
But to the same effect the cause to me's
Unknown.

Adr.
Why, it is this, if pardon lead
The will of him, the subjects heads, who captives
Are, by legions of his forces might,
'Tis the elixar of my diligence,
May be a sacrifice to me, I in my hand
May have command of them, disposing with
At pleasures will, none challenge dare the same,
It is no crime, since reason doth not blame.
If it doth violate the Land, the Laws,
It's soon amended where is known the cause,
Let nothing interpose the same, but try,
And gain my favour, least it come dearly.

Holl.
And were it not sufficient to have all their
Bodies for your servitude, but in a fine
Bereaving of their troubled lives, and to
Send them to some unknown coast, where all
New found discovered creatures and their souls
Doth sleep, while you injoy onely vain
Pattern of a hairy scalp; sure reason
Should discover more then it, to please a
Fancy so with noysom shapes.

Adr.
Hold you there,
The King, though private carried in't,
Devines as much, nay more; for surely it
By the discerning Jove was long foretold,
So waver not in will more this or that,
But bring the same.

Holl.
Great Queen, your counsell is
A severe guide. I'l go if earth and sky
Were twist together by a prodigie,
And all the foes with branded Lances met,
Making such airy sounds with swords, helmet,
That to the clouds doth raise a clamour, so
By wounded souls which is deep fetcht most low,
And all the sky with comets range their course,
I would not fail, no not by all their gorse,
But bring a sure certificate.

Exeunt.

Scen. 3.

Belerrio, Murgorus, Nercius.
Bel.
My Uncles Palace is Apelles shop
Of living pictures, which are set in
No forms else but Ladies models.
The Palace is the Judges, Ladies Diamonds;
So it's a store, each Madam is an Angel.

Murg.
I, counterfeit

Bel.
Unheard of sound, who can dispose it so,
They that do enlighten dull natures eyes

Ner.
Why, can it be so term'd? Cupid is blind,
And it should follow his strange fashions.

Bel.
Yet opposition rise, though fortune deem
The splendour of its rayes, therefore to seem
In much lesse; oh that it could be said
She turned was to moory shape, that strike
It may not forth her worth so bright,
For in her breast carries concealed fire,
Which makes her fumes still by the flame aspire;
All else were rightly coloured, but if she
Give elimation, they turn' quickly be
To Aurora's blushes, none dare take its place
What decent is, unlesse she first imbrace
Their rosey colour, but dejected are,
Her crimson lips doth so excell them far.

Mur.
Do then explain her, sure she may be known,
No fire there is, but by its smoak is shown.

Bel.
Her splendent parts doth so transcend clearness,
That by its supernatures work, it dazels all
Bright shining shadows; she is transparent,
No muddy form is placed in her, but she
Is the elixar of Virginity.

Ner.
Divulge her then, she sure cannot be leare,
You count her so beyond the crystall clear.

Bel.
No quick-sight apprehension can discern
The mould from whence she is took, nor delicacy
By all her pencil art demonstrate her;
Diana still grows shapelesse by comparison,
Yea all the Goddesses are immur'd by her,
None dare appear, nor in place come nigh her.

Mur.
Oh sure she is invisible to be
Nam'd in our presence, that know her may we.

Bel.
In her you may discern Loves onely face,
All Nymphs their parts, and that with comely grace,
A front dependent, eye much like a sloe,
Her lip a cherry, in her chin a bow;
Her breast like alablaster crimson rose,
Her waste like slender Pine disovered shews,
Her hair the tresses, on her neck like milk,
Display their pastimes like a twisted silk
Or threds of gold.

Mur.
Still fomie passage lights in thy design,
Name her, that this discourse may be at fine.

Bel.
What, stupid still, possest with ignorance,
Not know her by these tokens I advance?
I'l spare no passage now to spend my breath,
To name the quintessence of all the earth,
Lerenica she disposeth of
My fickle will, and fancy at one both.

Ner.
What she? how backward runs the course?
The time hath been when opportunities
Hath sought occasion in their properties,
By casting favours by her mush-red eye,
Deluding objects to sobriety.
To get the will of him, who intended
The Zenith of love where under it did
Rest, should be prolonged further, casting
Aside those indisposed sight and tricks,
As vain, and whom doth none regard.

Bel.
The Styx, her mists doth paraphrase your words,
VVherein grim Cerberus doth bathe himselfe;
Let the same vapour rise, and by its stench,
Infuse an opiate virtue, there to dull
My vitall spirits, to cut the hair
Of danger's purpose, and whereby I shall
Receive a quiet death, for a vexed life.

Ner.
Fear not,
A gilded bait shall intrap this Barbell,
VVe'l find her stratagems, devise a way
The filly blind boy knows not, the which shall
Imploy affairs deserving worth a name
Of Chronolgoy, a cheat, or somewhat
May worke effect with this same peevish brat.

Bel.
Let hope go with that design to the end,
Methinks my top-sayls move with celerity,
I gain acuteness and agility;
VVho ever did take arrogance in strength,
Or sound brave Nectars notes with Bacchus juyce,
More freely then do I, must be more then
Mother Nature doth put forth, sweep away,
Inclose within thy arms; oh Cynthia,
Thy master Titan's Candle, let not him
Praunce on his journey to the top of th'hill;
But curb his fiery trigon, suffer not
No more his fight till we have done our plot.

Mur.
Though friendship promise more then strangenesse doth,
Deride not one, but do receive then both,
I'l bring whole fountaines of new-found desires,
VVhich shall suck up the hony of your fires,
And flames of love: we go.

Exeunt.

Scen. 4.

Celerinus, Bugargo, Orestes, Sisterus, Dirisius, Gervoron, Burnamoy.
Cel.
Since time, tradition, forces against will
And all the Countries invitations,
Me to withstand Aberdens ardency,
Of choller, which at length consumes all what
It meets with, whose vast supportment would
Not subsist, but be demolishe, and top
Submissive to its feet, know if let rest,
Sloath would enter course, yet Fame not be
Ejected, your valour still would reigne,
And, Bugargo, if you maintain our right;
Supporting all our cause, and not detarding
Shame, but Derisius, Gervoron, both
Take part with him, you shall have recompence,
I stand oblig'd all due to common sense.

Burg.
Courage strikes my resolute contentment
High (Celerinus) immense vast Trophies,
A Diadem, be purged from my thoughts;
If all the prises then were equall poysed,
And shar'd the lot, deciding judgement would,
As me possest, term trouble: for a Peasant
Without delay transported to a Prince,
VVere a too great Hyperboly, I'le undertake.

Cele.
All grateful motions attend then your soul,
You are the head, we members wait there on;
And what composure may be thought upon
By loving deeds, all experientiall skill
May be put forth, or sacrifice thy will.
Stand firm to it, inform us then no more,
Affection lead, thou shalt have gold or ore,
I wave my selfe, though speciall charge commands,
Either gain Kingdom, or else lose your Lands;
VVhat spoyls can blind, or mask our piercing glance?
VVhat keen struck sword, black armour or the lance,
VVhose sight corrupts the Element, which pure
Contain'd in its selfe the cold moist air,
Put forth betwixt my eye, all my desire
To know the day it's that thou dost require.

Deris.
VVhat, is it thought that King Aberden will
Hoyst sayles to us, dreads he, nor land, nor soyl,
Which lends a death, a murror, and a broyl
To their inhabitants, they'l nere wait,
Pitching a leagure to o'recome the wall
They are bent against, which shares with Nile,
The Alpes would fair imprint a backward call,
If once their eyes cast upwards be.
Bugargo, doe command my legion, when
Fear smites thy arm, fire Beacons, and let
Drums sound loud.

Ger.
Let Bizantia's Monarch pursue the way,
He has at length begun; for Morpheus
Doth bear more frequent rule with leaden Mace,
Then Mars with valour carried in his face.
Heres no determed theam, by whose oppose
May vent hot sparks of manhood from our
Loyns; for as quick sight with well wrought temper,
Gives a gloss to affect the matter; so
Oft experience by assiduate practice,
Makes that which is uncord then most prompt.
Though love is strong, yet Cupid by might
Combines with Mars a steely shirt though hard,
Yet oftentimes is safer then a linnen frock;
My blood doth buble, when is brought before
Idle disposed fashions, martiall blades;
Seeking, lost nothing, all armour proof, yet
Uselesse are, which would possesse with a
Fear, they stand in danger of each other;
Nor can the fame be nought but great,
They raise a Camp postreeme with us, when as
The East and West doth seem a distance, not
A foot in length, being fadomed by their might,
Since then so large our enemies be found,
Our glory still grows greater by their sound,
What answer you?

Orest.
'Tis right, renowned friend
In prime to carefull be of our Soveraign
In maintaining right, next to this City
And thy Country good, if truth thou binds in
That same Gordian knot.

Sist.
Then bold Fac'd Champions, leviated from the blood
Of well tryed Princes, you may discern the
Blast, if by prevention not made sure,
Cause ruine o're this Land, if flint and steel
Being met, expell their fiery beams;
Well may your generous souls inflaming
With valour, betwixt rough danger and
Mild sloth, let fly over steepy hill, until you
Are conducted to th'contrary by grim death.

Bur.
Since cause is equall, victory cannot be
Debard from us, and no wayes misery
Take here abode.

Cele.
Lets then beguile the time no more by talk,
But see your guard and front be sure,
Call o're in summons, display your Colours,
Flags, Banners, Pendents, Streamers, see your men
Be right for th'cause, great Generall Bugardo.
When that is done, I'l cause my sacred Priests
To move the gods, and all their hymnes set forth
For your welfare, all what can thought be worth.

Exeunt.

Scen. 5.

Quermero, Perpurgerus.
Perp.
Why so, since time delivers otherwise to be.
Stretch forth thy arm, it's nought but exercise
Brings on the same.

Quer.
Oh hold then pray you there;
I'l stretch my hand, if fortune will give leave.
But shall not be to kill, but to maintain
Life by its help.

Per.
How strange to common sense!
Draw out thy sword I'l shew thy postures;
What if a man should challenge field with thee?

Quer.
Then I should dye.

Per.
Before the blow did come?

Quer.
I quickly sure, the sight's as good as blows
With me; but since your Treaty is to draw,
[He stands in a foolish posture.]
I stand hear guardian of my selfe.

Per.
See, see,
If't were possible, he would invite Heraclitus
To laugh: I dare swear Plato might read
A piece of Philosophy in his posture;
Stand up man with a full breast, surely
Mr. Quermero, your breech and feet are
[Quer. nods his head.
At difference—

Per.
Hold up your hand, and stiddy; how like you
It—What, no answer, but by conjecture
Postures; he shakes his head, 'tis well, hold up
I say—hold in I say this breech, oh
[Quer. makes a face.
Pretty face; but if you'l make no answer,
It is my means shall force you;
[Per. beats him, and he runs away and layes down his Sword.
What none—what none—what none.

Quer.
Gently good cousin, my bum is addle,
Have care you break no Eggs; for if you do,
The sent perfumes the room beside all
Myrrh or Spiknard.

Per.
Why answer you not?

Quer.
Let pitty force compassion. 'tis
My weak stomack and foolish condition,
The nakedness of sword lends such terrour
To my heart, reflects amazement to my
Eyes, that while supported by my hand, no
Word can utter the cause I it dismist.

Per.
Oh senseless pagan, take't up again;
[He takes his sword.
What, affraid, here take it, try thy valour,
Shake thy weapon, now I'l draw mine.

Quer.
Then I'l
Put up.

Per.
Hold, stay thy hand, and let us two inclose.

[They clatter their swords
Quer.
I wish Aberden had no greater foes.

Per.
Hey bravely done, this is all, well man'd.

Quer.
Hey-day, methinks I am a second George for
England, have at you then.

Per.
Stand further off.

Quer.
Stand further off.

Per.
Have care—

Q.
Stand further off.

Per.
You'l run in danger, hazzard the little life
You have put up, put up.

Q.
Stand further off.

(He cuts him.)
Per.
What now, draw blood, brave Champion,
My joyes still grow the greater, wind whistle
Forth thy fame, like sturdy Oak thou stand;
All other are but shrubs, my blood cryes blood
Again, stand Guardian still.

Quer.
Stand further off.

(He hollowes.)
Per.
Your dexterous art works opposition to
My term'd design, none can then curb your will,
But what must spring from Bizantia.

Quer.
What, kicks thou? stand further off.

Per.
The pumel of my sword is lost, thou art like
A Crocodile, pursuing flyes, flyes pursuing
Your hardy courage, rises more and more,
I hope to see the Land all in a gore;
My spleen now riseth, works in the concave,
A desperate motion, nothing shall thee save.

Quer.
I fear neither friend nor foe, stand further off.

Per.
I purpose now to put in motion some,
Beyond capacity, strange unheard act;
So then thou goes.

(He trips his heels up)
Quer.
Oh, oh; What, my back broken by a fall,

[Murther, murther.
Per,
Lie still,
When sense bereaves thee of thy will, conjeal'd
By a known accident, inforc'd by that
Works invisible, a coard yet staies
His friend, favouring by course what licence
Give it's aid, I fetch attendants to wait
On thee.
Exit Perpur.

Quer.
Attend thy selfe, see that thou dost;
Is he gone? Sword, where art thou? Hay, hay,
[He rises by degrees.
What, as lively as thy Master is, oh
How the flesh corrupts thy edge; stay, is
Perpurgerus gone? I'l lye close still, may
Be he stands perdue, but gone or no, I'l
Up, and see my wound; hay boyes, none, none, none.
[He leaps.
[He finds a hole in his Stocking.
Oh stay here; what's this? oh deadly thrust,
Fetch a Chyrurgion, I cannot go
But must because am forc't; Oh, oh, oh, oh.

[He halts from off the Stage: Exit.

Scen. 6.

Hollarro.
Hol.
A Conquest lost for want of obedience;
That superstitious terrour, which with
Force concatenates the wills of naturall
Bears, and hangs its Flag, a sign of true
Discretion, as making votes, sole
Recreation in nought but prayer,
And offering sacrifice, still stands in
Behoving power, imploring the aid of
Sublime Gods or Deities, a decree,
Not challeng'd by a right, thou let us laud
Them according to their deserts, we shall receive
Pledges of felicity, and cancell out
Our black transgressions; thus should it, none
In exchange betwixt, them and us, for what
Ascends when we descend, three-fold descends
Again when we ascend; this same it will,
By graduation, form a ladder passing
From the celestiall quier to the terrestiall ball:
And now nere want pleaded more her
Cause than at this present; my care shall
Be to see it fulfill'd, yet my Mother Queen
Stayes out her time, my duty shall wait
Leasure of her coming.

Adrenimia, sola.
Adr.
Well, Prince Hollarro, I see you are not perverse
You wait my leasure, I'l recompence,
My ears hang at your tongue by a symphaticall
Attention, striving with priority, who to
Super-excede; the tenor by your voyce will give
The Victory, what answere King Aberden?

Hol.
Most mighty Queen, my intreates did play
Their course as Fortune thought it fit,
Bent with a resolution not to return with
Fruitlesse answers, until thought possest
My tender judgement, they had gained
Anger from King Aberden; yet like a
Valorous Champion stood his ground, not
Flying at the first, but reply over the
Same again; but when the fury ended, mildnesse
Did deliver, he would conceal.

Adr.
What, not the head, the least request could be;
Why, when the swift long-winged faulcon playes
Her game, her recompence shall be the head;
What so e're her prey be, he would conceal, O
If King would favour me, with majesty
Of his great presence I'uld know the reason why.

Hol.
Great Princess, I'l see.
Exit. Hol.

Adr.
So go thy way.

Aberden, Hollarro, Yernomoy, Fafrisius, Buzaraine, and Nevermo.
Aber.
Adrenimia, you sent for me, I know the cause,
Griefe still doth poyse the libra of my will,
By a just weight, the beam is leavel, but to
Whom give down (it's yet reserving power)
Is unknown, you plead for it, ten thousand
Pleads against; you are my Queen, all
Other are my subjects; you save my name,
The other save my life: to whom should it
Give down? pray Lords aid you me in't;
She pleads for head of those that captive be,
The request is small, though much denyed by me;
Are you content? then I shall notwithstand;
Do you deny? then I will leave the Land.

Hol.
Your Majesty Astrea yet much courts,
She with her grasped hand, and severe looks,
With scale and sword makes in your mind her
Sphere, yet will it enter into the hearts
Of your subjects, and deem t'the clemency of a King,
Grant it the Queen, great Soveraign.

Yer.
The Prince answers for all.

Abe.
Are you so all agreed?

Yer., Faf., Buz., Ne.
We are all, brave King.

Hol.
The game is up.

Aber.
My Queen, the onely will of him, who ever was
Thy sole refuge, doth grant with fervency,
The subjects heads that taken are by us;
They are thy ransome, take you them when you please;
My Ships have gain'd upon the angry Seas,
Dancing levalto, my courage not refuse,
To do the same, thy pleasure wills to chuse;
Therefore, brave Princess, this thy self-design
Shall be a virtue, not in least a crime;
So take it freely, take it as a bliss,
[He kisseth the Queen.
Before my subjects, confirm it with a kisse.

Omnes,
Continuance long we wish.

Adre.
My King, my Monarch, what can I term thee lesse,
In granting thy poor Queen a happy bliss?
I thank thy high and mighty power for it,
Thy subjects too, I'le frame a thing what's fit,
Or best becoming all the tedious sense,
Of your blest wills for this your kind presence.

Exeunt.

Scen. 7.

Chorus
, 1. Song

[Chorus.]
Song 2.

Exeunt.