 | The Andrian Woman |  |
Act. 5.
Scen. 1.
Enter Chremes and Simo out of Simoes house.Chr.
Simo enough, I haue enough tride your friendship;
Venturd sufficient hazard: pray now leaue
Intreating. Whilst I seeke to pleasure you
I almost trifled my childes life away.
Sim.
Nay, but I earnestly begge and craue Chremes,
This your good turne now late begun in words
You would in deedes make vp.
Chr.
Note how vniust
You grow, through earnestnesse to worke your aimes:
You nor consider bounds in curtesies,
Nor yet what tis you craue: for if you did,
Yould cease to load me with these iniuries.
Sim.
What iniuries?
Chr.
Oh, doe you question them?
41
To one intangled in a strangers loue:
A wilde yong youth abhorring marriage:
To most sure discord, marriage as ensure;
That by her griefe and sorrow I might phisicke
Your riotous sonne: this y'obtain'd: I went on,
Whil'st things permitted: now that the case not brooks it,
You must brooke my deniall. Tis affirmd
This stranger is free borne; hath a childe by him:
Leaue troubling vs.
Sim.
By all the Gods I beg
You would not bend your minde to trust these people,
Whose best aduantage tis, to make him worst.
These things are onely feign'd and fashioned
To dash the wedding: take away the cause
Moues them to this, they'll straightway leaue contriuing.
Chr.
Y'are wide: My selfe saw a maide scolding here
With Dauus.
Sim.
I know't.
Chr.
I but this was done
In good sad earnest; neither of them both
Knowing that I was neere.
Sim.
I doe beleeue it:
And Dauus late told me it would be so.
I know not how I did forget to tell you,
As I had meant.
Scen. 2.
Enter Dauus out of Glyceriums house.Dau.
I will you now rest quiet—
Chr.
See, here's Dauus.
Sim.
Whence comes he?
Dau.
Through my furthrance and this guests.
Sim.
What new mischiefe?
Dau.
Man, time, comming fitter, I neuer saw.
Sim.
Who ist, the roague so praises?
Dau.
All's now secure.
Sim.
Cease I to speake to him?
Dau.
My Master! what's my course?
42
Oh Simo, oh our Chremes,
All things are now in readinesse within.
Sim.
Th'hast lookt too't well.
Dau.
When you please, send for her.
Sim.
Tis very well; but that course now here failes vs.
But may I know, what thou hadst there to doe?
Dau.
I Sir.
Sim.
I, Sir.
Dau.
Me meane you?
Sim.
Yes, meane thee.
Dau.
I went in but now—
Sim.
As if I ask't thee, when?
Dau.
Together with your sonne.
Sim.
Is my sonne there?
I wretch am set o'th racke. Diddst not hangman
Tell me, they were at deadly oddes together?
Dau.
They are.
Sim.
What does he there then?
Chr.
Hee? what thinkst?
I warrant railing at her.
Dau.
Nay but Chremes
Ile tell you now of a strange accident.
I know not what old man is newly come,
Note him, a man both confident and wise;
When you shall see him, you'l much value him.
A graue austerity rests on his face;
And in his words dwell faith.
Sim.
What newes bring'st thou?
Dau.
No other, then I heard that man report.
Sim.
And what doo's he report?
Dau.
That he doo's know
Glycerium here, a free Athenian borne.
Sim.
Hoe Dromo, Dromo.
Enter Dromo.
Dro.
What's the matter?
Sim.
Dromo.
Dau.
Heare me.
Sim.
If thou speakest one word more—Dromo.
Dau.
I doe beseech you heare me.
Dro.
What would y'haue?
Sim.
Hoist in this fellow here, hence speedily.
43
Whom?
Sim.
Dauus.
Dau.
Why?
Sim.
For it is my pleasure.
Away with him I say.
Dau.
What haue I done?
Sim.
In with him.
Dau.
If you shall finde I haue ly'de
In any thing, then kill me.
Sim.
Ile heare nothing.
Ile streightway put thee into motion.
Dau.
Though that I said the truth?
Sim.
Though—see you
He be kept bound; and heare you, bound all foure.
Ile shew thee, what tis to abuse a Master,
If I but liue this day: and teach the other
What tis to crosse a father.
Exit Dromo with Dauus.
Chr.
Oh, I pray you rage not so much.
Sim.
Chremes doost not, seeing
How vnkindely he deales with me, pittie me?
That I should toyle and care for such a sonne?
But Pamphilus you, come you out Pamphilus:
Doth any shame possesse thee?
Scen. 3.
Enter Pamphilus.Pam.
VVho cald me?
I am lost, it is my father.
Sim.
What saist now?
Thou of all—
Chr.
Oh, rather goe to th'point man:
And spare ill speaking.
Sim.
As if any thing
Can be spoke ill inough of such a one?
But Sirrha say, is your Glycerium now
Free borne of Athens?
Pam.
So they say of her.
Sim.
Doe they say so? Monstrous audaciousnesse!
Considers he his words? grieues at his deedes?
Or shewes his colour any note of shame?
That he should be of such deboshed manners,
44
Against the forme of law, in opposition
Of me his father, he should bend to haue her
Though't reach to th'highest pitch of infamie?
Pam.
Oh me most wretched!
Sim.
Doost thou now at length
Perceiue that Pamphilus? that word of old
Of old that word then truely fitted thee,
When first thou setst thy heart to please thy selfe;
Though at what rate soeuer compassed.
But wherefore doe I thus? why vex my soule?
Why waste my selfe away? why doe I grieue
My old and fainting age with his youths follies?
Shall I indure the pennance of his faultings?
No, let him haue her; I, God speede him well;
Yes, let him keepe with her.
Pam.
Oh my father—
Sim.
Why call'st me father? as if thou hadst neede
Of me to be thy father? a house, wife,
Children are had maugre thy fathers will:
Fellowes are hir'd shall beare her vp freeborne.
Y'haue got the mast'rie.
Pam.
I beseech you father,
May I haue leaue to vtter a few words.
Sim.
What wilt say to me?
Chr.
Vet heare him Simo.
Sim.
I heare him: what ist Chremes I should heare him?
Chr.
Permit him tell you.
Sim.
Well, tell he: I permit
Pam.
I doe confesse I loue this woman here:
If it be faultie, I confesse that too.
Further I yeeld me vp to your full pleasure,
Lay any taske, any command vpon me.
Will you I marrie that, leaue this? I will
Indure it as I may. But this one thing
I begge of you, that you would not imagine
That this old man is by my meanes brought in:
Suffer me cleare my selfe, and fetch him hither
45
Sim.
Fetch him.
Pam.
Let mee pray.
Chr.
He craues but reason, grant it.
Pam.
I pray sir.
Exit Pamphilus.
Sim.
Well, I doe: I wish Chremes ought be proued,
So that I finde he doos not iuggle with me.
Chr.
Sleight accusation in a sonnes offence
Sufficeth for a father.
Scen. 4.
Enter Crito and Pamphilus.Crit.
Cease to intreat.
Each of the reasons you haue vs'd, perswade me
To your request: either your owne selfe cause,
Or for it is a truth, or cause I wish
All furtherance vnto Glycerium.
Chr.
Doe I not see Crito of Andros there?
Tis he. Crito you are here well met:
You haue bin long a stranger here: what chance
Hath brought you now to Athens.
Crit.
An occasion.
But is this Simo?
Chr.
Yes.
Sim.
Aske you for me?
D'yee heare sir, is it you that doe affirme
Glycerium to be free borne of Athens?
Crit.
Are you one, doe denie it?
Sim.
Is't eene so?
Come you so well prepared too?
Crit.
Wherefore?
Sim.
Doost thou vse question? thinkst thou to escape
Fairely thus of with't? seekest thou to worke on
The easie natures of vnguided youth,
Peruerting our well nurtur'd children?
Winning their hearts with fawning promises.
And this, in Athens.
Crit.
Are you in your wits?
Sim.
And harlot-loues knit'st vp in marriage?
Chr.
If you knew this man Simo thoroughly,
You would not iudge so: he is an honest man.
46
An honest man; to come iumpe in th'instant
Of closing hands, and nere seene here before?
Chremes, may such a man be credited?
Pam.
If I not doubted to displease my father
I easily could prompt him to that point.
Sim.
Cauelling sycophant—
Crit.
How?
Chr.
Forbeare Crito;
It is his temper.
Crit.
Let him regard his temper:
If he will vent his pleasure vpon me
He shall be forc'd to heare what will displease him.
Trouble I his matters? or yet care for 'hem?
Cannot you beare your owne ils patiently?
For my part, it may instantly be knowne
Whether 't be false or true, you heard me say
A certaine man of Athens, now long since
Shiprackt at sea, was cast on Andros Isle;
And with him this Glycerium, then a childe:
He being poore had harbour at the house
Of Chrysis father.
Sim.
He begins a tale.
Chr.
Pray giue him leaue.
Crit.
Does he disturbe me thus?
He that entertaind him was my kinsman:
Of him I then heard, that this shipwrack'd man
Was an Athenian.
Chr.
Pray, what was his name?
Crit.
His name so sodainly? Pha—Pha-nia.
Chr.
Oh, my heart!
Crit.
Yes sure, I thinke twas Phania.
This I well know, he nam'd himselfe of Ramnos.
Chr.
O Iupiter!
Crit.
A many moe in Andros
Then heard it.
Chr.
I beseech the Gods, it proue
According to my hopes: but pray you Crito,
What said he of the childe, that twas his owne?
Crit.
No.
Chr.
Whose then?
Crit.
The daughter of his brother.
Chr.
Tis certainly mine owne.
Crit.
What doe you say?
47
What say you?
Pam.
Pamphilus giue heed to this.
Sim.
Why thinke you so?
Chr.
That Phania was my brother.
Sim.
I knew him well, and know that he was so.
Chr.
He flying hence to auoid the rage of warre,
Trauaild toward Asia in pursuit of me;
And feard withall to leaue the childe behinde:
Since whence, now I heare the first newes of him.
Pam.
I scarcely feele my selfe: my mind's so tost
Twixt feare, and hope, and ioy, and wondring,
At this so great, so sodaine happinesse.
Sim.
In truth I much reioyce, she is sound yours.
Pam.
I doe beleeue you father.
Chr.
But there rests
One scruple yet, which somewhat troubles me.
Pa.
You are worthy now of hate, with these your scruples
Crit.
What is't?
Chr.
The name agrees not.
Crit.
She had sure
Another being young.
Chr.
What was it Crito?
Canst thou remember?
Crit.
I am thinking on't.
Pam.
Shall I permit his tardie memorie
To slacken my ioyes current, being able
Herein to giue my selfe a remedie?
No, I will not: harke you hither Chremes;
The name you doubt of is Pasibula.
Crit.
That's it.
Chr.
Tis right.
Pam.
I heard it of her selfe
At least a thousand times.
Sim.
I beleeue Chremes,
You thinke we all ioy at it.
Chr.
As may the Gods
Assist me, I doe thinke so.
Pam.
What rests father?
Sim.
The case it selfe now reconcileth vs.
Pam.
Oh my most louing father: and you Chremes
Change nothing in the wife I now possesse?
Chr.
The cause is iust, your father so agreeing.
Pam.
Thus much—
Sim.
Yea marrie—
Chr.
Her dowre Pamphilus I make ten talents.
48
I accept of it.
Chr.
Ile forthwith see my daughter: Crito, pray
Goe with me; for I thinke she knowes me not.
Sim.
Why cause you not your wife be brought to vs?
Pam.
You warne me well, Ile eene giue Dauus charg ont.
Sim.
He cannot now effect it.
Pam.
Pray why so?
Sim.
Has more and greater charge vpon himselfe.
Pam.
What?
Sim.
Hee's bound.
Pam.
Hee's not bound rightly father.
Sim.
No; I did will him be bound otherwise.
Pam.
Pray order he be loosd.
Sim.
Well, be it so.
Pam.
But good sir, haste.
Sim.
Ile in and see it done.
Exit Simo.
Pam.
Oh happie, oh this prosperous blessed day.
Scen. 5.
Enter Charinus.Cha.
I come to see how Pamphilus speeds, and loe.
Pam.
Some man perhaps may think I feed on dreames:
But now I please to thinke all reall truth.
I on this ground iudge the Gods liues eternall,
Because their pleasure's certainly their owne.
For I my selfe haue gaind immortall state,
If with this ioy no griefe ere intermeddle.
But who might I now wish especially
Here at this time, to tell the tidings to?
Enter Dauus.
Cha.
What ioy is that he talkes of?
Pam.
I now see
Dauus our man: there is no liuing one,
I rather would haue had. I know he will
Full truely ioy in the true ioy I feele.
49
Scen. 6.
Dau.VVhere is this Pamphilus trow?
Pam.
Dauus Dau. Who's that?
Pam.
Tis I.
Dau.
Oh Pamphilus!
Pam.
Thou knowest not what has befall'n me?
Dau.
True: yet know, what has chanc'd me.
Pam.
And so do I.
Dau.
Why this happes iust oth'fashion,
That you my ill lucke learne, ere I your good.
Pam.
Glycerium hath found out her parents.
Dau.
Good.
Cha.
How's that?
Pam.
Her father our chiefe friend.
Dau.
Who ist?
Pam.
Chremes.
Dau.
Oh braue!
Pam.
Nor now is any stay,
But that I take her home forthwith to wife.
Cha.
Dreames he trow, of things he desires waking?
Pam.
Now Dauus, for the child?
Dau.
Leaue of I pray:
The gods sure purpose him their minion.
Cha.
I am a made man, if these things be true
Ile speake to'hem.
Pam.
Oh Charinus,
Thou com'st in a fit time.
Cha.
Oh happie newes.
Pam.
Hast heard ont then?
Cha.
Yes all: pray thinke on me,
Now in the height of your felicitie.
Chremes is now your owne, and I do know
Hele yeeld to any thing you motion.
Pam.
I mind it. But 't would now be ouer-long
Heere to attend, till he come forth to vs.
Follow me in; he's with Glycerium.
Get you home Dauus, hasten; and procure
Some that may beare her hence: why stand'st thou so?
Why staiest thou still?
Dau.
Sir Ile go presently.
Exeunt Pamphilus, and Charinus.
| The Andrian Woman | |