University of Virginia Library

Act. 3.

Scœna. 1.

Enter Salumith, and Lyme the Mason.
Sal.

You must take my directions.

Lym.

Any thing your Ladiship will haue me.

Sal.

Thou shalt informe his Maiesty; his Sons hired thee,
when his Highnes should approach to view the buildings,
by seeming chance to throw some stone vpon him, which
might crush him to pieces. Do this and thou shalt gaine by't.

Lym.

A halter, or some worse thing; for (Madam) the least
stone that is imployd about the Temple, is 20. Cubits broad,
and 8. thicke, and thats able to break a mans necke without a
halter.

Sal.

No matter.

Lym.

Nay, and it be no matter for breaking a neck (though
it be an ill Ioynt to set) Ile venter a swearing for't.

Sal.

Doe and liue rich and happy; hold, there's gold.

Lym.

Nay, if I can get my liuing by swearing and forswearing;
Ile neuer vse other occupation.

Enter Handsaw.
Han.

Neighbour Lyme; newes, newes, newes.

Lym.

What newes, Neighbour Handsaw?

Han.

Marry Sir, Charity has got a new coate; for I saw a
Beadle iust now whipping on Statute-lace.

Sal.

And what's become of Liberality?

Han.

Cry you mercy Lady, faith she went like a Baud at a
Carts taile, roaring vp and downe; but her purse was empty.

Sal.
Th'art deceiu'd her hand is euer open,
And to desert shees free; behold else.

Han.

This is more of Liberality, (as you call it) then I
haue found, since I began first to build the Temple.

Lym.

Or I either.

Sal.
You shall haue more,
Ile poure it on in showers; performe but my commandments.

Han.

Madam, by my Handsaw & Compasse, I will do any
thing; say, speake, sweare, and forsweare any thing your Ladiship
can inuent or purchase.

Sal.

Hark your eares.

Whisper.
Han.

Hum, ha; pretty, pretty; Ile play my part to a tittle;
Neighbour, looke to yours: nay, and Ile doe it presently; for
the King is now comming to the Temple, and I came to call
you Neighbour; wee'l doe it there.

Lym.

What else; a man may bee forsworne in any place
Citty, Court or Country, has no difference.

Sal.

About it then; be constant wary and y'are fortunate.

Lym.

Feare vs not, if you want any more to be forsworne,
giue me your money, Ile presse a dozen Tradesmen shall doe
it as well as any Scribe in all Ierusalem.

Han.

I or Publican either.

Sal.

Away then.

Exe. Lym. & Han.
Thus catch we hearts with gold; thus Spiders can
Poyson poore Flyes, and kill the innocent man.

Enter Antipater with a Letter, and Animis.
Ant.
Be swift as Lightning; for the cause requires it:
Such paper-plots are inuisible Goblins;
Pinching them most, which doe least iniury.
Y'are arm'd with full instructions.

Ani.
Sir, I am.

Ant.
Your Letters are Chrysanders, and not mine.

Ani.
I know it well.

Ant.
Away then, outflye Eagles; yet Sir, harke;
Carry your Countnance wisely, seeme to be
A Saint in thy deliuery.

Ani.
Sir, your care
Makes you too curious, feare me not.
Exit Animis.

Ant.
Within there.

Enter Hillus.
Hil.
Did your Excellence call?

Ant.
I did; what, is your Lesson got?

Hil.
My Lord, vnto a sillable; my tongue
Hath poyson for your purpose, and I am
Confirm'd in euery circumstance.

Ant.
The time, (at night;) the place, (the Bed-chamber;)
The manner, (arm'd;) the instruments, (their Swords.)

Hil.
Tut, this is needlesse; Sir, my Quality
Needs not a twice instruction.

Ant.
Nobly said; hold, there's gold.

Hil.
This is a good perswader; right or wrong,
Treasure will make the dumbe man vse his tongue.

Ant.
True; tis the sicke mans Balme, the Vsurers Pledge,
And indeed all mens Maisters; goe away,
Exit Hillus.
The time's ripe for thy purpose; thus these Slaues
Runne post to Hell for shadowes; ha, Salumith:
O my best Aunt and Mistris; y'are well met:
Neuer were times so tickle; nor, I thinke,
Stood innocence in more danger: would my life
Were lost, to thrust feares from you.

Sal.
VVhy, Princely Nephew, I'ue no cause to feare.

Ant.
Tis well you are so arm'd; indeed, a life
So good as yours, free, and religious,
Thinkes not on feare, or ill mens actions:
Yet Madam, still your state is slippery;
Belieue it while these Princes doe suruiue,
And dreame how you accus'd the Mother-Queene,
They still will practise 'gainst you.

Sal.
Yes, and you;
The High-Priests death, and Marriams Tragedy,
Will be obiected 'gainst you.

Ant.
Tis confest;
W'are both marks of their vengeance.

Sal.
Yet so farre
Beyond them, Ile not feare them; heere's my hand,
I'ue markt them for destruction: since our fates
Haue equall danger; tis no reason but
They doe inioy like triumph; once againe,
Belieue it, they are sinking.

Ant.
Nobly said,
Mirror of Women, Angell, Goddesse, Saint.

Enter Tryphon the Barber, with a Case of Instruments.
Sal.
Peace, no more; heere comes mine Instrument.

Ant.
What, this; the Kings Barber, your doting Amorite?

Sal.
The same, obserue him.

Try.
O blessed Combe; thou spotlesse Iuory,
With which my Mistris Salumith once daind
To combe the curious felters of her hayre,
And lay each threed in comely equipage;
Sleepe heere in peace for euer; let no hand
(But mine henceforth) be euer so adacious,
Of daring as to touch thee.

Ant.
Pittifull foole, goe sleepe, or thoult runne mad els.

Try.
Sizers, sweet Sizers; sharpe, but gentle ones;
That once did cut the Locks of Salumith;
Making them in humility hang downe
On either side her cheekes, as 'twere to guard
The Roses, that there flourish: O, goe rest,
Rest in this peacefull Case; and let no hand
Of mortall race prophane you.

Ant.
Sfoote, the Slaue
Will begger himselfe with buying new Instruments.

Sal.
O tis a piece of strange Idolatry.

Try.
Tooth-pick, deare Tooth-pick; Eare-pick, both of you
Haue beene her sweet Companions; with the one
I'ue seene her picke her white Teeth; with the other
Wriggle so finely worme-like in her Eare;
That I haue wisht, with enuy, (pardon me)
I had beene made of your condition:
But tis too great a blessing.

Ant.
What, to be made a Tooth-picke?

Sal.
Nay, youle spoyle all, if you interrupt him.

Try.
Salumith, O Salumith;
When first I saw thy golden Lockes to shine,
I brake my glasse; needing no Face, but thine:
When at those corrall Lips, I was a gazer;
Greedy of one sweet touch, I broke my Razor:
When to thy Cheekes, thou didst my poore Eyes call;
Away flew Sizers, Bason, Balls and all:
Only the Crisping-Irons I kept most deare;
To doe thee seruice heere and euery where.

Sal.
Not euery where good Triphon, some place still
Must be reseru'd for other purposes.

Try.
Bright Go-o-o-desse.

Sal.
Well proceede;
What, at a stand? has true loue got the power,
To strike dumbe such a nimble wit?

Ant.

Cry hem, pluck vp thy heart man? what, a polling
shauing Squire, and strucke dead with a woman?

Sal.
Nothing so, he does but mocke, he loues not Salumith.

Try.
Not loue you Lady? O strange blasphemy!

Ant.
Faith, what wouldst thou do now but for a kisse of her hand.

Try.
What would I do? what not? O any thing.
Ile number all those Hayres my Sizers cut,
And dedicate those Numbers to her Shrine;
A Breath more loathsome then the Stench of Nile,
Ile rectifie, and, for her sake, make pleasant;
A Face more black then any Æthiope,
Ile scoure as white as Siluer; to attaine
But one touch of her finger, I'de beget
Things beyond wonder; stab, poyson, kill,
Breake mine owne necke, my friends, or any mans.

Sal.
Spoke like a daring seruant; harke thine eare;
Doe this and haue thy wishes.

They whisper.
Try.
What, but this?

Ant.
No more beleeue it: why, tis nothing man;
Only, it asks some seriousnes and Art,
By which to moue the King, and gaine beleefe.

Try.
But shall I haue a kisse from that white hand,
Which gripes my heart within it?

Sal.
Sir, you shall; tis there, pay your deuotion.

Try.
Then by this kisse Ile do it; honey kisse
Kisses her hand.
There's resolution in thee, and I'm fixt
To doe it swiftly, quickly; from my lip
Thy sweet taste shall not part, till I haue spoke
All that your wishes looke for: boast of this;
Y'aue bought two Princes liues with one poore kisse.

Exit.
Ant.
Spoke like a noble Seruant.

Sal.
Nephew, true;
Let him and's follies wrestle; from their birth
We will bring out our safeties; Villaines, we know
Are sometimes Stilts, on which great men must goe.

Enter Herod with his sword drawne, in his other hand a Letter, driuing before him P. Alexander, and Y. Aristobulus, Animis, Hillus, Lime and Handsaw following Herod; Antip. steps betweene Herod and the Princes.
P. Alex., Y. Arist.
Sir, as y'are royall, heare vs.

Her.
Villaines, Traytors, Vipers.

Ant.
In the name
Of goodnesse and of good men; what hand dare
Be rais'd against his Soueraigne? Gracious Sir,
Let not your rage abuse you; there's none heere
That your word cannot slaughter.

Her.
Giue me way;
Shall my owne blood destroy me? that I gaue
Ile sacrifice to Iustice.

P. Alex.
Yet Sir, hold.
Heare but our innocent answere.

Y. Arist.
If we proue
Guilty, let tortures ceaze vs.

Sal.
O my Lord,
Tis a becomming Iustice; heare them speake.

Her.
What, Villaines that are arm'd against me?

Sal.
Tis not so; Nephewes, deare Nephewes,
Throw at his Highnes feete, these ill becomming weapons;
In this case, they doe not guard but hurt you.

P. Alex.
We obey; and, with our weapons offer vp our liues,
To haue our cause but heard indifferently.

Y. Arist.
Sir, there's no greater innocence on earth
Iniur'd then our alleageance: let but truth
Accuse vs in a shadow; spare vs not.

Her.
But truth accuse you? O strange impudence!
Th'art not of Brasse, but Adamant: seest thou this,
This man you hir'd with stone to murder me;
This man with timber; both you wrought to staine
The sacred building with foule Paricide. Is not this true?

Lym., Han.
Most true (my Lord) wee will both bee forsworne vnto it.

P. Alex.
Falshood, th'art grown a mighty one, when these;
These Slaues shall murder Princes.

Her.
No, not these
Your vilde acts doe destroy you: Speake, my Lord;
Did not you see these in the dead of night,
Arm'd with their weapons, watch at my Chamber doore,
Intending to assault me?

Hil.
Tis most true;
And had I not with threats and some exclaimes
Remou'd them, you had perisht.

Ant.
Wonderfull.

P. Alex.
O truth, for shame awaken; this Slaue will
Exile thee from all Mankinde.

Her.
What, doth this
Bristle your guilty spirits? No, Ile come
Neerer vnto your Treasons; heer's your hands,
Your own hands, most vnnaturall: Sister, see;
See, mine Antipater; (for I know, you both
Are perfect in their hands and Characters)
This Letter did they traitrously conuey
Vnto Chrysander, which commands our Powers,
And Conquests won in Greece; inciting him
To breake his firme alleageance, and to ioyne
His strength with theirs, to worke our ouerthrow,
Speake, our Centurion; did not you receiue
This Letter from Chrysander?

Ant.
My Lord, I did.

Her.
And that it is their owne hands, witnesse you;
And you; and all that know them.

Sal.
I am strooke dumbe with wonder; I should sweare
This were your own hands Nephews.

Ant.
By my hopes;
If it be false, tis strangely counterfeit;
The Slaue that did it had a cunning hand,
And neere acquaintance with you: but, deare Sir,
It shall be gracious in you to conceiue
The best of these misfortunes: who, that knowes
The world, knowes not her mischieues; and how Slaues
Are euer casting Mines vp; for my part,
(Though there's no likelihood) I will suppose,
This is, and may be counterfeit.

Sal.
And so will I.

Her.
But neuer I, it is impossible.

P. Alex.
Sir, I beseech you, howsoere you lose
The force of Nature, or the touch of blood;
Lose not the vse of Iustice; that should liue,
When both the rest are rotten: all these proofes
Are false as Slander, and the worke hew'd out
Only by malice; when w'are tane away,
Tis you your selfe next followes: why alasse,
We are your Armour; he that would strike home,
And hit you soundly, must vnbuckle vs.

Y. Arist.
Besides Sir, please you either send, or call
Chrysander home (whom we haue euer held,
A noble, free, and worthy Gentleman)
And, if he doe accuse vs; we will throw
Our liues to death with willingnesse; nay more,
Plead guilty to their Slanders.

Ant.
In my thoughts
This is a noble motion; heare them Sir.

Sal.
It will renowne your patience; Sacred Sir,
Let me begge for my Nephewes; you haue said
You tooke delight to heare me; heare me now.

Ant.
S'foote, y'are too earnest, and will spoyle vs all;
Begge with a scuruy cold Parenthesis.
Sir, (though I know, in this case, minutes are
Irrecouerable losses) yet, you may
(If't please you) grant them their Petition.

Her.
I'm resolu'd,
Enter Tryphon.
Chrysander shall be sent for: ha, how now?
Why star'st thou? why art breathlesse?

Try.
O my Lord,
My gracious Lord, heare me; I must disclose
A treason foule and odious: these your Sonnes,
Your Princely Sonnes, chiefly Prince Alexander,
By fearefull threats, and golden promises,
Haue labour'd me, that when I should be cald,
To trim your Highnesse beard, or cut your hayre;
I then should lay my Razor to your throat,
And send you hence to Heauen.

Ant., Sal.
O vnnaturall!

Her.
Villaine, speake this againe.

P. Alex., Y. Arist.
Villaine, speak truth, feare Iudgement.

Try.
Briefly Sir, Prince Alexander, and Aristobulus
Offer'd me heapes of gold to cut your throat,
When I should trim or shaue you.

Her.
From which, thus
Mine owne hand shall secure me; villaine, die,
stabs Tryph.
That knew'st a way to kill me; and henceforth,
What Slaue soeuer dare to fill mine eare
With tales of this foule nature, thus shall perish;
Ile not be tortur'd liuing: where's my Guard?
Handle those treacherous young men; and, with cordes,
Strangle them both immediately.

P. Alex.
Sir, O Sir.

Y. Arist.
Heare vs; but heare vs.

Her.
Neuer, I am deafe;
Villaines, that hatch such execrable thoughts,
Vnfit for noble spirits, shall not breath:
Dispatch I say; for vnto time Ile raise
Such Trophees of Seuerity; that he
Which reads your Story with a bloody thought,
Shall tremble and forsake it.

P. Alex.
Yet that man
Seeing your Rigor, and our Innocence,
Shall turne his feare to pitty, and condemne
The malice of your rashnesse: Sir, to dye
Thus, as we doe, not guilty, is a death,
Of all, most blest, most glorious; for, it is
To braue death, not to feele it; and this end
Reuiues vs, but not kils vs.

Y. Arist.
Brother, true;
Let me imbrace thy goodnesse; for I know,
The last gaspe of a death thus innocent,
Hath no paine in it; and w'are sure to finde
Sweetnesse ith' shortnesse, all content of minde.

Her.
Pull, and dispatch them.

They strangle the Princes.
Ant.
This was well contriu'd.

Sal.
An act worth imitation.

Ant.
O, mighty Sir,
You haue done Iustice brauely, on your head
Depends so many heads, and on your life
The liues of such aboundance; that, beleeu't,
Acts and Consents must not alone be fear'd;
But Words and Thoughts; nay very Visions,
In this case must be punish't: Ancient times,
(For Princes safeties) made our Dreames our Crimes.

Her.
Tis true; and I am resolute to run a Course,
T'affright the proud'st Attempter; goe, conuay
Those bodies vnto Buriall: Antipater,
Come neere me man; th'art now the only branch
Left of this aged Body; which, howere
Disdaind, for want of grafting; yet, Ile now
Make thee the chiefe, the best, and principall.
It is our pleasure, that with winged speed,
Forthwith you passe to Rome; and, in our name,
Salute the great Augustus; say, that age, griefe,
And some naturall sicknesse, hauing made
My minde vnfit for Gouernment; I craue,
He would confirme thee in the Royalty:
Which granted, I will instantly giue vp
To thee and to thy goodnesse, all I hold;
Either in Crowne, or Greatnesse.

Ant.
Gracious Sir.

Her.
Doe not crosse my commandment; for I know
Thy sweet and modest temper: but away;
Fly in thy happy iourney; I presage,
Those which did hate my Youth, will loue mine Age.

Exit.
Sal.
Heeres a braue change, sweet Nephew; can you flye
Aboue the pitch you play in?

Ant.
No, sweet Aunt;
Nor in my flight will leaue you, could I shoote
Through Heauen, as through the ayre; yet would I beare
Thy goodnesse euer with me: how ere I rise,
Tis you alone shall rule Ierusalem.

Sal.
No, tis Antipater; goe, be fortunate:
I'ue other plots in working.

Ant.
So haue I:
The Kings death and her owne; till that be done,
Nothing is perfect; th'halfe way is but runne.
Ha! who's this? the noble Pheroas?
Enter Pheroas sickly.
What chance makes my deare Vncle droope thus?
Doe not giue way to your discontentment.

Phe.
Pardon me, it is become my Maister; spacious mindes
Are not like little bosomes; they may presse
And crush disgraces inward; but the great,
Giues them full Field to fight in; and each stroke
Contempt doth strike is mortall.

Sal.
Say not so;
You may finde reparation.

Phe.
Tell me where;
Not vpon earth; when reputation's gone,
Tis not in Kings to bring her backe againe:
I am a banisht out-cast, and what's more,
The scorne of those gaze on me: but a day
Will come, of Visitation, when the King
May wish these foule deeds vndone.

Ant.
Come, no more
W'are partners in your sorrowes; and how ere
The King doth yet smile on vs, we know well
The word of any Peasant hath full power
To turne vs topsie turuy.

Phe.
Are you there?
Nay, then you haue got feeling.

Sal.
Sensibly,
And feare, and will preuent it.

Enter Achitophel singing, and Disease.
Ach.

Why where are all my Customers? none come buy
Of the rare Iew that sels eternity?

Dis.
Indeed Maister I'm of your minde; for none of your
Drugges but sends a man to life euerlasting.

Ach.
Peace knaue I say, here's in this little thing
A Iewell prizelesse, worthy of a King:
If any man so bold dare bee,
Vnseene, vnknowne to coape with me,
And giue the price which I demand;
Heere's treasure worth a Monarchs Land.

Ant.
Harke how the Mountebanke sets out his ware.

Phe.
O, tis a noble Braggard; two dry'd frogs,
An ownce of Rats-bane, grease and Staues-aker,
Are all his ingredients.

Ant.
Peace for shame,
Haue Charity before you; harke, obserue.

Achit. Sings.
Ach.

Come buy, come buy, vnknowne, vnseene,
The best that is, or ere hath beene:
He that, not asking what, dare coape,
May buy a wealth past thought, past hope.
Come buy, Come buy, &c.

Dis.

Maister, faith giue mee leaue to make my Proclamation
too, though not in rime; yet in as vnsensible meeter
as may be.

If the Diuell any man prouoke,
To buy's owne mischiefe in a poake;
Or else, that hood-winckt he would climbe
Vp to the Gallowes ere his time;
If fooles would learne how to conuay
Their friends the quite contrary way;
Come to my Maister, they shall haue
Their wish; for hee's a crafty knaue.

Ach.
Sirrah, y'are saucy.

Dis.
Fitter for your dish of knauery.

Ant.
How now Achitophel; what's this curious drugge
You make such boast of; may not I question it?

Ach.
By no meanes Sir; he that will purchase this,
Must pitch and pay; but aske no questions.

Ant.
Not any?

Ach.
No, not any; doe you thinke
Perfection needs Encomiums?

Dis.

O my Lord, you may take my Maisters word at all
times; for, being a Phisician, hee's the onely best member
in a Common-wealth.

Sal.
How proue you Physitians the best members?

Dis.

Because Madam, without them the world would increase
so fast, that one man could not liue by another.

Ant.
Go to, y'are a mad knaue: but come Achitophel,
How prize you this rich Iewell? If't be fit
Only for Kings; tis for Antipater.

Ach.
The price is, two thousand Drachma's.

Ant.
Once Ile proue mad for my priuate pleasure,
There's your price; giue me the Iuell;
Now it's bought & sold, you may disclose the full perfection.

Ach.
There's reason for't my Lord, then know y'aue here
The strongest quickest killingst poyson, which
Learning or Art ere vtter'd; for one drop
Kils sooner then a Canon; yet so safe
And free from all suspition, that no eye
Shall see or swelling, pustule, or disease,
Rage or affrighting torment: but as death were
Kissing and not killing, hence they goe
Wrapt vp in happy Slumbers.

Ant.
Tis enough;
Goe, and as Art produces things like these,
Let me heare from you.

Ach.
The Iew is all your Creature.
Exit Achit.

Dis.

Though (my Lord) I did not trouble my braines,
yet I bestir'd my stumps ere this worke was brought to passe;
I know the waight of the Pestle and Morter, and though
my hands lost some leather; yet they found labour worthy
your Lordships remembrance.

Ant.
O, I vnderstand you, goe, there's gold.
Exit Dis.
Now my best Aunt and Vncle, see you this;
Heeres but a little substance; yet a strength
Able to beare a Kingdome euery way:
This shall bring safety to vs, and conduct
Herod the way to Heauen: Vncle you
Giues Pheroas the Poyson.
Shall take it to your keeping; and as I
Direct you by my Letters, so imploy it;
How ere stormes yet hang ore vs, you shall finde,
I haue a Deity can calme the winde.

Sal.
Th'art excellent in all things; keepe thy way:
What we admire, that we must obay.

Exeunt.