University of Virginia Library

Act 2.

Scen. 1.

Lerenica, Histerica.
Ler.
Display my tresses, see decent places
Become their shapes, withdraw the stragling
Hairs, reduce them to a set form.

Hist.
'Tis done.
Behold, delicious, sweet face't Hymens day,
And what your will is with acceptance pleas'd
To be, my purpose was to have took labour,
In conveying you to some chaste Nunnery,
Where all refreshment of a doleful day
Should be low sighs; but your mind is turn'd
You in its place receive a Palace bright,
Where Diadems come to a grasping hand,
Such riot by a fury is imploy'd,
That reason would conclude (if sense guide not)
That walls and houses were all eeven ground,
And by it fumes sent by an airy help,
Draweth a curtain betwixt friends and foe,
And no other musick practised,
But clamours from both wide and shril-sound throats,
As't were a ransome to a Victory,
The cause whereof Bellerrio counts you fair.

Lere.
Had you by favour obtained the good will
Of Duke Bellerrio, and no outraging
Carriage by a mysterious form, metamorphos'd
The design, but expedition wrought with
Nature so, that in the passage of affection,
You by discretion wrought to the object,
Combined with a smile, following by track,
Or by tradition, to the wonted place,
All the Nuptial Rights that are wished for,
To present to the view a happy morn,
As Bridegrooms morrows, Sack-posset, and beside,
A thing not to be named.

Hist.
Oh! My blood is young.

Lere.
It would have favour'd time, so as an hour
Rest, when waken all the joyes being past,
And what did boyl by a lascivious lust,
Would cooled be by a dull appetite,
You may protest when tall Bellerrio,
Did by his own known Counsell hide
Within my soul a treasure not corrupt.
In those consenting silent times he moved,
Was but a gliding beam to Sol his selfe,
Which by its fullnesse brings on this malady;
But now renouncing those bad infections,
Receives by means some vitall Spirits in,
To bid defiance to those false allurements.

Hist.
It were too hard, you speak not like a Syren,
For beauty, shape, with modesty, if tyrants all with-
stand, are invitations to Venus Courts,
The efficacy therein by which they bear,
If were abrap'd, the Academy of Love were gone;
Nay if by nature possibly I could
Be turn'd a Man, if Icie temper seiz'd
Upon my limbs, and put to prospect as
One wanting soul, the like reward, also
Hopeful enterprize, would then regenerate,
As I have hear-said, calor naturalis in my veins;
Nay if Midas his wish, with Jasons golden fleece,
Put to redeem your same beautious piece,
Yet all would prove too vain; for you are such,
And have like virtues, both in least and much;
I cannot so my selfe so full express,
As if a man I were I do confesse,
For then I should inlarge at every word,
And here for three, three hundred then afford.

Lere.
Believe me, Histerica at this time doth pierce
My understanding a thought of great belief,
That he prefers you to a place so high,
To be the prologue to his enterprise;
But by his carriage he should be what wise,
(And if he be) he should have took more care,
Than to send such Orations as these.
Learning is not a bait fit for Womens stomacks;
Rather by intreaties, must perswade, and
Fostered Muse, than any Tullian phrase, or
Homers lines, you are too high in your design,
And withall too tedious, away, away,
Be sure your words are not in office, like
Compelling swords, but turn their calling to
Rebounding echoes; they are air, and so
They vanish, and doth not enter my soul;
And if by lot he chuses you again,
Tell him from me he is not wise.

Hist.
Too hard
Nature to work upon, and by temper,
Was not first decreed to be a woman;
For women are soft, you carry an opposition:
For men to love, you stand against the cause,
But 'tis no matter; now Bellerrio comes,
[Enter Beller.
He'l speak himself.

Scen. 2.

To them Bellerrio.
Bel.
My onely thoughts, thou art my Diamond that
I dayly wear, and when my eye is cast
Upon its splendor, its turn'd a mint of gold;
When crystal beauty ushers in her train,
And Ruby colour fetcht from the Indian mine,
Doth act their quarrels in a lovely face,
Whose cheeks are Roses, brow a comely mace,
So Paris joy'd, when he fetch't Helen home;
So Ulysses joy'd, to see his sweet hearts loom;
So Hippomenes joy'd, when he the Apples got;
So Æneas joy'd, when saved, it was his lot,
So, and beyond all that, rejoyced he,
(Except your selfe) obtain'd by a decree, the fairest of your sex;
Nay, these are nought, in thought but vain deceits,
Mine is the substance, these are onely baits,
Not in the least, derived from a name;
Mine's pure and perfect, their's is void of shame.
Nought can by artificiall art be brought unto,
More decent then pure Lerenica's hieu.
'Tis you, 'tis you, your sex I honour still,
You above rest, in you my onely will
Hath free beatitude, content and life.
All things what else, that is then void of strife,
I will endure for to maintain the cause
Of your brave sex, and Champion in the Laws,
That concerns you and yours, who perfect is,
Sole happinesse, a thing beyond all blisse,
Let me imbrace your will.

Lere.
Illustrious Duke, it were an injury
Inforc'd by me, and I should by liberall
Freedom violate the means of your true amity,
Not concluding with a favourite, the
Purpose was my own decree, you did
Display their flames so in their ardency
Of generous contemplations, that
In circumference of its boundlesse hope,
No room was left for me to expresse
My selfe in equall ballance poysed your worth,
But with a back-recalling sound of love,
Made a retreat not worthy of the same,
And with cherishing thoughts that pleasure
Might be fill'd, and no disliking taste rise
From its stench, you for to term me
Most unworthy of such bright enterprises.

Bel.
Alass your answer is indisposed now,
Do but resolve me how it would become
A Peasant to deny a Prince, a martial man;
Women fine smiling shews, surely I should
Condemn my self as guilty, one stupifi'd by art,
If that I should think so; come come,
Your words doth not diminish, but give aid
To my dull hopes of a brave Victory.

Hist.
Madam if leave may have so much freedom, hear
This time, to help the case, give me a word,
A Dialogue is good, when there's three persons;
The Duke speaks fair, not sending his words
As if they dealt more cruell by sighs and
Sieges, more tempestuous than storming
Neptune's blast; Or as if he intended
Batteries against your beauties favour.
But with a comely grace, understood of
Sweetnesse, and smiling passage; withall, a
Brave decorum, it would pierce an Adamant,
Make restless motions, calme, serene and clear,
And in stern looks where fury hath before
Took potent place, 'twould quickly extinguish all.

Lere.
No want here is of foul conspiracy,
A problem sure, and that invisible too
Contain'd therein, no new found art can be
By stars or reason, or interpreter,
So quick-sighted in the way of these strange
Politick notes; to lay it open, or
Divulge the same, it must be silence with
Perseverance thereof, who is the spouse
Of long-sought mysterie, reveal this same;
How can it be that you should both joyn in
The same broad channel of deliverance?
As if slit-looks should reason so the case,
To be nunciate betwixt their tongues,
Histerica keep silent in these hours,
Bellerrio I'me not worthy to be yours.

Bel.
What still perswaded so, you transform it,
And where you think conspiracy to be,
It is not so, but the Oracles means,
Delivered to our ears, the cause is right,
Come bring no criticall point, no posture of
Confusion to my maladies, be more mild,
You deserve all, I single you from th'rest,
Because an Angell, and a Virgin blest.

Exeunt.

Scen. 3.

Celerinus, Orestes, Sisterus, Burnomoy.
Cele.
It is decreed, the businesse pursues the cause.

Orest.
My Leige, the post of quick known news
Did come, not knowing your Majesties
Privy Chamber, to my hands, he being
Accompanied with many conditions
Of King Aberdens will, and the fuel
That now maintains the quarrell betwixt us
And him, sent to your Highnesse presence,
Did leave then to your best times consideration:

Celer.
Are they now present?

Orest.
They are, my Liege.

Cele.
Read them, I'le attend.

Orest.
Aberdens Conditions of this waging War, sent from Bruzantia to Celerinus, King of Numenia.
Since all the Regions
Under Northern Pole,
Stretch forth their
Distance as far as they can,
Doth do obedience, (not
One doth condole)
Unto the Country and
Bruzantia's man.
Send yearly tribute,
And their dayly vowes
Unto their Gods to
Prosper our successe.
That by the clamour of
Their open mouthes,
We have a musick that
Beyond all blesse.
It is the purpose and
The onely care
Of great Aberden to
Have you do so;
And that hereafter
You do not dispaire
To do the like, and to
His presence owe.
If you refuse, his ships
Are all rig'd for
The Ocean waves, and by
A prosperous gale;
To sally out and come
Unto your shoar,
Before you think his
Ships be put to sale;
Therefore consider, take
A serious time,
Regard your cause, to
Whom it should then bend,
Do not then naver, follow
Streight a line.
To have Aberden either
Foe or Friend:

Sist.
Put it up, its read, inclose the lines,
A bold design to such a powerfull name.

Cele.
His usurping grace strives too too high,
Who swels with blood of lost innocent ones,
Which will by vacuation prove a gall,
He cannot carry manhood for a praise
Of Warlike courage as the free-born souls
For country, good, and health, without more time,
My mind is fixt, no other fancy takes
My genius, but send a daring challenge
To his will.

Bur.
It is right, dread Soveraign,
My never tyr'd yet hand shall bring with it
Vermillian hue, when 'se're return, and I,
As long as strength doth give its aid,
Withstand their bold attempt.

Orest.
My mind by looks did so much answer him,
They were so fixt by fury in my brow.
I slight his threatning lines with spitting fume,
We can set envy up as well as he,
Upon a banner tost, and make him know
'Twas rash without a Councell chose,
Thus answers him, Orestes.

Sist.
The Chaos was my Mother, so to Chaos
Will return, e're I be thought base in a
Pedigree, my mind stands to their will.

Celer.
So,
Hector by way ne'r gain'd such fame, as we,
By this dread undertaking; but before
We force a Camp, I shall ingagement bring
Upon your souls, that you a solemn vow,
By this my signature of all Numenia,
To stand your colours, as long as flesh or
Bone, and blood by circulation, keeps dame
Nature in, and fight for him, (my selfe the
Meaning is) as breath hath interal passage,
And then postreme, to kill who's e're you take;
See that you do confirm.

Omnes.
Long live Celerinus King.

[They bow and kiss the Signature on his hand.
Celer.
Well said, brave noble souls,
But before we for leagure do provide,
We'l know our Generals will and Captains too,
So Burnomoy bring them then into presence,
[Exit Burn.
And things right managed with a discreet will,
Brings good well hap, and very seldom ill;
For if the case be plain, and take no heed,
Oft ruin comes by that same bad misdeed.

Scen. 4.

To them, Burnomoy, Burgargo, Derisius, Gervoron.
Burn.
Your command, great Prince, is here fulfill'd.

Burg.
Your businesse, stout Leige.

Celer.
It runs by Cypreans fields, Bruzantia's plain,
By a spectatious sight, and information,
A Paradise to shew whose in, beyond,
The Tagus fragments go, by Poets fam'd to be
Paved with a Pearl, her grace surrendring to
The Queen of beauties pride Chloris with her
Decency, strikes admiration to th'insatiate
Soyls, to see themselves by Autum's clusters
So prest down, and cooling Rivers which with
Melodious tunes sing by the woody banks,
While they with as well pleasing noyce,
Whistle like Orpheus reed, Titan in
Æstivious times, when torrid heat hath power,
Dismisseth night, and gives day the full hour,
Of number twenty four; then Burgargo,
This Region (which I named) by scituation,
Transcends the metropolis of every Nation,
I stand defiance with a barbarous call,
I purpose to choose you my Generall.

Burg.
When sense doth rave beyond its bounds, why then
There is no reason that we should be men;
Let sense and reason scorn my onely state,
When I deny to govern this by fate,
Which hath been separated from the rest,
By Jove his hand, and he to be the guest
That it should entertain; this Ile that which
Gives livelihood, and makes the inhabitants rich,
My hope is fixt upon, and firmly too,
That sacred Gods will aid and fortune shew,
Because we stand in our defence, not lust
To have a War; but this our cause is just,
We stand for right, not what is got by pelfe
For lives, for wives, who are our second selfe;
'Tis pitty that this Nation should go down,
And save your Majesty, none ought to wear the Crown,
Except your selfe, who wisely with your hand,
With voyce gives leave, with that their force with-stand,
Let them display their colours, black visage, so
unseemly sight, with plaited hair you know,
Much like a Horses main, which gives a light,
They are savage creatures, speciall in the night,
When skyes become their favour; let them come,
I'le be your Generall till day of doome.

Cel.
Your answer's good, they are both rash and rude
In judgment, doing actions, and before
Their nature be by valour curbed so,
They'l ne're rest silent, but stratagems
Inventing still, though with grief and amazing
Flashes bring a float of destruction
With whole waves of sorrow to their pedigree,
My breast doth breathe not with a fair clear passage,
Because corruption grows from nomination of
Such hellish heathens; the Numenia's Land
They strive to make their prey, and spoil of it;
'Tis not the fear of their great potent arme,
'Tis not Aberden with his hellish charm,
'Tis not their Chariots with their Iron wheels,
'Tis not their Ships with their well pitched keels,
'Tis not the fiercenesse of their nature foul,
'Tis not the savagenesse of their grim soul,
'Tis not the words of their well threatned voyce,
'Tis not the stroaks with which they make their noyse,
'Tis not the armour that they dayly wear,
'Tis not the colours wrought with silver clear,
'Tis not the conditions that they all sent,
'Tis not the words that they pleased to put in't,
'Tis niether this, nor that, shall work so fast,
But I will fight their fury to the last.

Deris.
Your answer's like your selfe, noble, and that
Most generous; I like a branch, you are
The root, if you perish I must not stand.

Gervo.
Let fame want Trumpets for to blaze her self,
Let my poor soul want blood to raise her selfe,
When I deny to be as firm as you.

Cele.
Then my Lord Orestes, see a Legate
Be prepared to send to King Aberden.
You know the drift of th'cause, we will maintain
The War he promiseth to our Land, and
Burgargo with these two Captains, which are
Derisius and Gervoran, and that valiant
Souldier Burnomoy, draw down your forces
To the port-Towns, cast trenches, ditches, that
If they gain the Land, they know not where to
Lead a squadern up, but stand amazed
at their rash stricking shore.

Omnes.
Heavens blesse Numenia's King.

Cel.
After you return, (as undoubtedly victorious)
Trophies shall be prepared of pure Gold,
Elixars essence, what doth Nature hold,
Be presents to your reward.

Exeunt.

Scen. 5.

Adrenimia, Hollarro, with Attendants.
Adre.
My soul runs wandring from its way,
Not knows its guide, till fortune by favours
Whip, lash the occasion forward, that they
May joyn their Forces by Sea or Land,
My hands want blood, that (by its natural heat)
Receive a quickning sense, my fury playes
Upon the strings of the Præcordium,
Which causeth a palsie in my hand, that
Hold I cannot till some blood I have,
I could with ease disgest the wrong that's done,
If I should cause one of Aberdens friends
To use my Altar, his head upon my spear,
In the air to be an attom of delight,
It is a thing disgorge with me most sure,
I feel a weakning cause rise in my bones
Which can be deemed nought else, but want of blood,
Prethee Hollarro what, must still vacation,
A rust corrupt your souls and weapon too,
Resolve my quere, sure you are not bent
To raise perplexity to a Queen her will,
Blood, blood, still I will call.

Holl.
Great Adrenimia, the conditions which your King
Was pleased to make a War, expected answers
Are, when Post brings news, the tydings which you
Wait leasure on, unto my Fathers Court,
No sooner arrival shall take its abode,
But with a fiery look and watry eyes,
Bring to your Highnesse those same prodigies
Which lurk betwixt affection and defraud,
Your pleasure wills to crave that harsh design,
Like Ebian wood, whose colour cannot be
Changed to a whitish hue, no more can your
Intreaty turn its black melanchollious
Humour to a white waterish flegmatick
Cause; my spirits raise ambition in my
Veins, that such who works against natures will,
Receives no free permission there to lay
Its store for that same matter which you crave;
But if a War go on with immarchlesse forces,
My father's such a man (your Husband, Aberden)
Stands to a word, though mentioned long before,
To let those captive subjects, which by lot
Caught in the gins of our free-born like souls
Of Amazons, ne'r yeeld field to any,
Either foe or friend, to lesse or many.

Adr.
What, is it so? what, is it so? still Hollarro stand against
That same cannary bird, what's e're it be,
Sings such a note with pains repining forth,
Such unagreeing discord, and unhandsome
Quavers, shall quickly have a Pip upon
His tongue, a slit or gash about his neck,
Make him sing sweeter changes then those same;
Hollarro take care, look not to untwist
Those arms of great Aberden and his Queen.
He granted me, you stand in opposition;
Talk more with silent counsell, then to th'face
Of a Queens power, condemn it a disgrace
That she takes pleasure in, it's blood that I
Crave of my King, untill the day I dye,
If none can have from forraign Countries then,
Constrain'd I must take then our innocent men,
Your part shall not scape free, if you do not
Go to the Wars, the next will be your lot,
Therefore blow up those fires that almost dye
In your stout Souldier, that perpetually
They may bring home great spoils unto the Queen,
As captives, bracelets, all what my youth hath seen:
See, see, you do, do so, dispatch the cause,
Or else in this Land I will bring new Lawes.

Hol.
Your will's a Law, great Madam, to my force,
I shall not be him that withstands your losse;
The frigid Zone ne'r new the Icie way,
Or tract her course more plainer then doth I,
In your bright Horizon, the sphere of hope
Wherein my restlesse will doth make her Orb.
While Titan drives four prauncing Horses,
That needs neither whip nor bridle; so move I
To please the tender affection of your
Princely grace; take not in least in heart
My bad attempt, which flyes by the swift wings
of ignorance, guided by staffe of folly,
Ranging within the bowers of restlesse will,
Seeking the corners of vain bad designs,
Still let them fly for refuge to your grace,
Let them there take their most reserving place.

Adre.
You are most hollow-hearted, while you see
No good there is in gaining, what your will
Hath minde to work its force, you then detard
Most fatigated in that, what your purpose was,
Desist your talk, I leave your presence.

Holl.
I,
Stand submissive as becomes your Son,
And wait your royal Person.

Exeunt.

Scen. 6.

Aberden, Yernomoy, Fafrisius, Buzaraine, Nevermo.
Aber.
The Legate is dismist from them, 'tis well
Their answer riseth so high against our will,
Which hath bid stern Mars stand off, and the Brute
Of troy-novant his race, hath stood with his
Shoulders pending to the ground, by its
Massy and assured waight, blest in the
Perifery of a swallowing main, burst
Great Numenia's wall, make skies to eccho
As you do at Rome, when Pope stand elevated,
Quell you their voyce by your secret harmony,
That will make Hercules for to wonder,
And Leo rejoyce to hear such single notes,
And Tygers repeat it as a loving Song;
That when the Inhabitants hear, struck with the
Amazement of a terrours will, terming it
Thunder; let Auster, Boreas, and the other two,
Of Cardinall points, your fame blow aloud,
In represention of (wrongs new redrest)
Not to be vail'd by curtain of a foe,
Or frightment, but fully resolved to be
Revenged of th'quarrell, and his Majesty.

Yer.
Our glorious purpose, like the sparkling star,
Gives light in dark, when leaden Saturn stands
Nigh on his side, whose pale-fac'd tanyed state
Makes splendor rise of th'star above the rest,
When all the mists and watrish vapours of
The middle Region cannot withstand him;
But like a Diamond among pebble stones,
Cast bighter blaze above the rest, then them;
So we proceed, excell the others hope.

Faf.
Liberty stands bound, when with the crafty
Whistle, or second sound of their advanced
Pinnions, dives to the burroughs of a
Childish fear, we will afford upon their
Terrestiall plains, such unheard language,
That shall not by graduation, but at first
Seize on their clownish brains, and endue
Our native Land unto posterity,
With victorious praise.

Buza.
Right, Fafrisius,
The cælestiall Quiers runs counter for to
Gain us trophies by their help; for the Globe
Which was the Antipodes Land, is now ours
By fortunes onely guiding, by womens
Innocent looks, strives with her force and will
To have all good for us, and nothing ill.

Nev.
Your speeches are fully poys'd, no venture done,
No good is had, we'l strike an oblick cross
Unto their Land, if't be for no cause else,
But for our Countries good, as for our King;
That all the Penates with divine sound,
Blesse all the Cities, Towns, and Castles of our Land,
With most tranquillous times, Linraides
Spreads Fields with Flora's Vesprey, and that Sol
May have perpetuall motion in the Ram,
Though hot and chollerick, yet a handsome
Spring, which shall bestow on this the Title
Of a fruitfull soyl.

Abe.
Your souls are generous
To the last—

Yer.
And doth hope for to endure.

Aber.
As long as blood doth warm the heart.

Faf.
We will
not flinch our ground.

Aber.
Your valour's stout,
Much like a Trojan blade.

Buz.
Or Irish Moor,
Who never stept from him that gain'd
Ground.

Aber.
Then you will fight?

Nev.
VVe will my Leige.

Aber.
Then let valour range her course, go see what
Ships are rig'd, and Gallies fit for sayl,
That in two hours space or lesse, we may
Bestride the Sea, with the whole Navy of
Our Army, ten thousand Ships well prepared,
To bear within concaves of their vast
Great bellies, both men and Ammunition,
Shot, under the conduct of Hollarro Prince,
Twelve thousand horse, and forty thousand foot,
Bearing the colours of a golden Ball
Set in a large black field, with chevern of
Three Mullits ore; next him, you Yernomoy,
Bring up a wing of thirty thousand foot,
Furnish'd with pike and sword, musket and bandalere
And all displayed, with Griffins rampant on
Their shield; so you Fafrisius follow next
With nine thousand horse, well saddled, bearing
A Rose upon their Armes, beset in Arg.
Buzaraine, with your Captains and the rest,
As Nevermo, stand you a distance from the rest,
VVith nine thousand both of foot and horse,
To aid these Lords, if that need require.
VVhat subject you take, bring home unto my Queen,
These are all your precepts.

Omnes.
Heavens bless Aberden King, and prosper his success.

Exeunt.

Scen. 7.

Chorus
, Song 1.

[Chorus.]
Song 2.