 | The Noble Stranger |  |
ACTUS TERTIUS.
Enter Callidus.Cal.
Man, in perfection of his primitive purenesse,
Was by the gods created just and free:
But forfeiting the Charter of those brave
Immunities heavens bounty had conferr'd
Upon him, in just revenge of his too
Wilfull errour, severall passions straight
Sprung up to force him hold a conflict
In his soule; th'effects of which innated
Frailty make me prone, Honorio, there;
I there's the Kingdomes generall Earth-quake:
No honours, titles, favours, but are confer'd
On him, when every act of mine might claime
A Pyramide; and in honour to brook arrivall
Wou'd force antipathy in what were perfect
Union: what wou'd not Justice in such a
Cause permit? 'twou'd make man conscious of,
And act that otherwise might blemish his
Creation to performe: I have perceiv'd some
Signes of love betwixt Honorio and the
Princesse; if I can prove it true, it will
Be no base revenge to tell the King, since
Custome and the Kingdoms Law stiles such
Presumption treason; I am resolv'd, I over-
Heard them in the presence appoynt to walke
Here in the garden: now in yon thicket
Ile stay, to heare what language passes
Betwixt 'hem; if't be of love, as I doe
Presuppose, my just revenge proves duty
Exit behind the Arras.
To my King: I heare 'hem comming, I must obscure
Hon.
You're a Lady in whom consist all that
Heaven has rais'd to a perfection:
I am too poore to enjoy so great a treasure,
And shall be ever, till I grow immortall:
Which alone rests in your power to make me:
Tis not your birth or fortune that I court,
Heaven's witnesse with me: for had you bin an
Humble shepherdesse, and I a Monarch,
This love had beene, 'cause 'twas decree'd by Fate:
When I first saw you, me thought my soule was
Forc'd to obey a traunce, and as a vision
My amazed sight beheld you, the
Revolution of those Starre-like eyes deserves
A new Astronomy to contemplate.
Cal.
It sutes my wish, doe doe, bite on, and
Swallow thine owne Confusion.
Prin.
Honorio, I have heard you, and as
A lover allow of this discourse: but do
Not too soone betray your selfe to misery:
Alas ther's danger in affecting me.
Hon.
Tis not that thing cald danger can affright
My soule, were you round inclos'd with
Rocks of Marble, whose lofty tops shou'd know
No distance 'twixt the skies and them;
I wou'd with winged speed scale those
Aspiring walls, and in despight of all that
Durst detaine you, beare you in my armes
Beyond the reach of danger.
Cal.
So insolent! there may be wayes to curb you.
Prin.
This does expresse your will, not power, to
Attaine our safety, if you proceed: faith
Therefore leave to love me, 'twill prove
But the ruine of a worthy man, if e're
It come to light—my poore heart is forc't
To plead against it selfe—
Who shou'd reveale it?
Cal.
He does not think an eccho is so neare.
Hon.
Ther's none besides our selves that know it, and
Fabianus in whom I durst repose my life.
Prin.
Stay, who's this?
Enter Fabianus.
Hon.
None but my friend.
Fab.
Madam, pardon my suddaine rudenesse; 'tis
My love to him, and duty towards you,
That prompts me to it: the King, with
Rest oth' Lords, are making this way, which
Hastned me hither, where I suppos'd you were,
To give you notice to breake off discourse,
And hast away.
Prin.
Thy true friendship deserves a Noble
Recompence: our next meeting shall be
This evening in the private Garden:
Hon.
I shall not faile: lets haste away.
Exeunt.
Enter King, Philomusus, Callidus, Moronzo, &c.
King.
By the faith I owe to Honour, Philomusus,
The Masque was well perform'd upon so short
A warning—where's Honorio, our but
Divided selfe, partner in heart and
Kingdome.
Enter Honorio and Fabianus.
Cal.
He's here my Liege.
King.
Honorio, Fabianus, Philomusus, three Jems
Make up the poynt verticall in my Laurell.
Cal.
I serve for nothing: then oh my heart.
Hon.
You so much honour us, you make our plenty
Poore; rich onely in the amazement of
Your bounty.
Phil.
My Liege, not presuming on my owne
Deserts, but your free Justice to revenge
The wrong'd, I'me bold to preferre a sute.
King.
Thou canst aske but what will prove
Phil.
Nay, my Liege, I have no Monopoly
On foot, to draw on my head the curse
Of crying misery.
King.
I'me confident.
Phil.
Then thus my Liege, the late grudge betwixt
The ancient King of Portingall, and your selfe,
Sprung from the disappoyntment of the
Match, betweene your sister (now Dutches
Of Pavia) and him, by reason of her youth
And beauty, not fit for cold embraces:
And having made you his proclaimed
Enemy (though in your goodnesse you have
Never sought to disturbe the quiet of
His peace) yet by this meanes many of your
Painfull loyall Subjects have sustain'd
Great losses on the Seas, by divers ships
Belonging to the King of Portingall;
Amongst which, certaine Merchants, almost
Ruin'd in their estate and fortunes, this
Morning desir'd me to move your Majesty
To grant 'hem Letters of Mart, for taking,
In recompence of their losses, such ships
Of the adverse party, as their labours and
Good successe, may make them owners of.
King.
The Motion's just and noble, and for thy love
To th'right of innocence, we here create
Thee Secretary of State, draw what thou thinkst
Is fit, our royall Hand and Signet shall
Confirme it: and because Honorio, and Fabianus
Shall grow in honour, as in friendship with you,
Honorio we make our Lord high Martiall;
Fabianus publicke Treasurer.
Cal.
And me not spoken of: I laugh to think
How soone their glory will be Eclips'd.
Hon.
Onely the contemplation of your bounty
Must prove our gratitude.
King.
Enough—Lead on.
Exeunt omnes.
Fla.
Was he so taken, and eager at the report?
Mer.
As an Usurer of a Prodigall at one and twenty;
All fire; if thy practis'd iniquity will but suffer thee to dissemble
modesty, thou art as sure of him as the Devill of a Catchpole.
Fla.
You a wit, and question a womans dissimulation; there's
ne're a head ith' City so hard but knowes it by experience.
Mer.
Goe to then; doe not you seeme too suddainly won, but
hold off with an attractive distance: 'twill make his blood runne
hot and higher.
Fla.
Goe teach a common Gamster to cheat, a Puritane to lye,
or a Scrivener to keepe his eares, J neede not your learned
Maximes.
Mer.
But harke you, harke you, a word by th'way: if after all
my paines, care, and counsell, you shou'd, like an old Hospitall,
forget your founder; play the Gypsie and turne honest forsooth, or
thrifty, it shou'd be the last charitable act J'de doe for the whole
Sexe on you.
Fla.
Condemne me never to know man more if J doe.
Mer.
Goe thy wayes, 'tis a strong oath, and J beleeve thee—
J have left Pupillus, with his two legall associates, following in
a young Practizers pace to th'Hall, justling the Country, Clyents
Block-heads together, till their braines bee as light as the cause
some of hem goes to Law for—Body o'the wench J heare 'hem
comming—On with your vizard of vertue now, and dissemble me
like a holy sister of the loving Family.
Enter Pupillus, Plod, and Fled-wit.
Plod.
See sir, there is the Lady.
Pup.
O admirable blacke beauty.
Fled.
And your noble friend pleading for you.
Mer.
Madam here is the gentleman J so much
Commended; and though J say it before his face,
He is one of a noble disposition, birth, and fortune.
Pup.
He sayes very true Lady.
Fled.
Beauteous Madam, pray honour me to kisse your hand.
Plod.
Though last in Ceremony, J shou'd be proud
To be the first might serve you.
Poxe on't, what a block-head was I, I cou'd not say so my
selfe—O 'tis a melting Creature.
Fled.
So sir, we have made the way for you, enter now.
Pup.
I, I, I cou'd enter, and runne through her too: But what
to say when I come at her, I know not—
Not say I speak without book, this learned
Littleton shall be my prompter—
Takes out a booke and holds it in his hand, and looks on it at the breaches.
Bright, bright Moon-shine of beauty.
Fled.
And why not as well Sun-shine?
Pup.
Oh I should come too hot upon her.
—Moderata Misericordia, Lady.
Love like a little theefe has committed Burglary
On my heart, rais'd the towne of my Sences,
And forces me with hue and cry to your Ladiship.
Fla.
Alas I have compassion on your flames.
Pup.
Oh madam, madam, the best part about me's burnt.
Fla.
How!
Pup.
My heart I meane, and since my eares were
Long enough to reach the report of your beauty,
I have still desir'd—Licentiam interloquendi
With your Ladyship.
Mer.
J marry sir, this is somewhat.
Pup.
Oh, when J am once in I can tickle her yfaith.
You shall heare me rime too,
This Yeare in which love did my heart into his—
Balliwicke bring: Is just by computation
Tricesimo of the King.
Fled.
Excellent!
Fla.
Beleeve it sir, youle put me downe.
Pup.
Tis my desire Lady.
Fla.
You speake in so quaint a Dialect, J understand you not.
Pup.
Hist friend, what does she meane by Dialect?
Mer.
A delicate way of speaking.
Pup.
Oh, oh, J beseech you Madam let me be a remitter in
Your Grace.—J have chose an action to content you
Besides land of all the Tenures in Littleton: as
Burgage, Sockage, Escuage, Vilienage and Capite,
Mer.
Why Mr. Pupillus, I never knew you were a Scholler
before.
Pup.
Faith no great Scholler neither, 'twas all the fruit of ten
yeares going to Schoole.
Mer.
Marry enough to make a Divine in some Countries,
Where degrees of Schoole are vendable.
Pup.
Why sir, my father was told by a cunning woman, that I
should never learne beyond, As in præsenti, and so J never strove
to go further.
Mer.
Then the Asse: 'twas well.
Pup.
Madam, my heart does make continuall claime to your
love, and hopes we shall be joyntenants in affection.
Fla.
Sir, you might call my modesty in question,
To yield my heart at first to one I never saw before.
Pup.
Woud you chuse a man by th'fore part Lady?
Fla.
You wound my intention, sir.
Pup.
And you wound my heart:
There's thrust for thrust.
But if your coynesse shoud make me prove Felon de se, and kil my
selfe, you woud be sorry.
Fla.
I shoud—but pray sir excuse me, at this time
To hold longer discourse with you, some serious
Affaires urges my departure—farwell noble Sir.
Pup.
But one kisse first, and all this gold to buy you Taffata for
blacke patches.
Fla.
Ile not refuse, least you might thinke I scorne.—
good day to all.
Mer.
Your servants Lady—we'le come and share.
Fla.
Do so.
Exit Flavia.
Mer.
Iack, Tom, a word—
Pup.
Oh love! love! that makes a man a Skelleton:
Let her in part feele the pricke, as well as I,
Of thy inflaming Dart.
Mer.
What thinke you on't?
Plod.
Beyond thought!
Most excellent!
Mer.
How ist Sir? beare up.
I, I, but oh this Lady, this Lady—
Mer.
Troth Gentlemen this Lady is not so taken with him as
we thought, and expected; what think you if—but I wou'd bee
loath to speak except I thought he wou'd do't.
Pup.
Oh any thing gentlemen, any thing—
Mer.
Why then what think you if he were inspired?
Pup.
How! inspired? that's very fine.
Mer.
But you know the wayes, and Ceremonies, are
Very chargeable.
Fled.
O infinite!
Pup.
I care not what it cost, let it be done.
Mer.
Then it shall sir; come, as we goe we will
Discourse of it at large, and to morrow
It shall be perform'd.
Pup.
Shall I be inspir'd? oh fortunate acquaintance.
Ex. omn.
Enter King and Callidus.
King.
Thy life the forfeit if it prove untrue.
Cal.
I wish my losse of breath might prove it false:
But 'tis a truth as reall, as is the
Justice of the gods severe: and I may
Safely say, I live preserver of my
Countries fame.
King.
O yee gods, why were Kings made the emblemes
Of your power, when like poore slaves, we're
Subject to the change of various and
Inconstant Fortune; have you snatcht up
Goodnesse from the earth, and left nought to
Inhabit in the breasts of men, but vile
Dissimulation, poyson to friendship,
And the staine to honour; in whom
Shall meaner men dare ever to confide,
When Kings themselves rest ignorant
Where to trust.
Cal.
Nay, that treachery shou'd inhabit there
Where all men thought Vertue had rais'd her
Mansion.
True; I did beleeve Honorio to be
A man that sooner would have yielded up
His heart a prey to Vultures, than to a
Thought disloyall.
Cal.
My Liege, I can informe
You more: Fabianus is their agent,
In this loves affaire: and at that time
When your Majesty miss'd Honorio,
He came and gave him private notice to
Prevent discovery: this I both saw and heard.
King.
He false too? Hells furies take
And confound 'hem all. Will not the whole
World, when they shall heare my daughter
Stoops to a base affection, laugh, and scorne
My vile degenerate issue?
Cal.
This rage seems Kingly in you: cherish it my Liege.
King.
They all shall perish if thou prove this true:
But if false, and that of spight thou hast
Rais'd this vile aspersion, expect a death
So horrid, hell shall startle but to heare it nam'd.
Cal.
And 'twere my just desert, if J shou'd live the
Staine of innocence: No my gracious
Liege, if on your Royall word you'll promise
Not discover 'twas J that gave you notice,
Cause 'tmay be a Barre betwixt my love
Marania, and me, whose sister J have
Heard affects Fabianus, J shall discover
The time and place when and where they meet,
Then shall your eye and eare be witnesse of my truth,
King.
Upon the honour of a King, Jle not disclose
A syllable to wrong thee.
Cal.
Then my Liege, this present evening
They have appoynted meeting in the garden:
I beleeve they are neare there already:
I shall attend your person to the place;
But then I hope youle graciously excuse
My absence; Ile wait within your call.
King.
Come lets away.
Exit.
Prin.
'Twas here I did appoynt him come: to which
He promised.
Cla.
Madam see, he has already made a strict
Performance.
Prin.
Honorio you're punctuall in your word.
Hon.
Madam, I esteeme a promise made to you
As a Religious vow taken before the Altar
Of the gods.
Fab.
'Twas no appointment 'twixt us two, but I
Suppos'd you were in person, as in love and duty,
Neer the Princesse.
Clar.
You were not certain then.
Fab.
No, but as the needle of a Dyall
Toucht by the Adamant, though with trembling
It move to and fro, yet fixes not,
Till it attaine the North: so though I move,
And walke, yet by a sympathy in love,
Can never rest till I arrive your presence.
Hon.
Pardon Lady my still labouring heart,
That like a Pinnace, toss'd on the curl'd waves
Of Neptunes watry Empire, at such time,
When with his frowne he threatens destruction
To despairing Sea-men, wou'd gladly arrive
Some happy Haven where to rest secure.
Prin.
As how?
Hon.
To finish up the summe of all my earthly
Happinesse i'th promise of your love.
Prin.
Were that the height of your conceived blisse?
Hon.
Yes, and no heaven.
Prin.
I have heard that affection which can know
A fulnesse to its height, is never permanent:
“For loves noone is instant night.
Hon.
Yet a still growing desire to attaine that
Height argues a more firme affection.
Cal.
There they are my Liege:
Obscure your person, and grant me your Royall
Licence to depart.
King.
You have it: away.
Prin.
Suppose I shou'd give promise of my love,
By your owne argument you then were at
Your height, so must decline: Come I will not
Promise.
King.
I like that well.
Prin.
Because I'de keep your love still growing.
King.
'Tis too true: oh impudence unheard of.
Hon.
Love's a child, and fondly desires first one
Thing, then another; and thinks no happinesse
Beyond what he craves; so I desire first
A promise of your love, which if you please
To grant, my fondling heart will still aspire.
King.
My life and kingdome next: oh villanous Traitor
Prin.
Excuse my modesty if I then bestow
This slight favour first to play withall, a kisse.
King.
I am no longer able to containe—
Out Traytors.
Prin.
Alas 'tis we that are betray'd.
King.
No; but by the gods deliver'd up to my just rage.
Cla.
We're all undone for ever!
Fab.
Though he be the King, whose sacred name
I bow to, he shall not dare to wrong you.
Hon.
Shou'd the gods themselves come wrapt
In terrour, I wou'd thus oppose 'hem
both draws.
King.
You were best commit an out-rage,
Where's our guard? Treason.
Enter Callidus, drawes.
Cal.
My gracious Liege, what
Villanous hand is that which is not blasted,
If lift a weapon 'gainst the sacred
Majesty of a King—oh misery! is it you
Attempt this traitorous act?
Fab.
We spit that name like poyson in their face,
His royall word, not to execute his rage
On these; we'll lay our lives and weapons
At his feet.
Hon.
If not, we vow to dye their Champions.
King.
Insolent Rebells.
Cal.
Ile move the King for you—Sir I beseech
You not to discharge your wrath against these
Harmlesse Ladies.
Prin.
Move not for us alone, for heaven sake
Let him sacrifice us all together.
Cal.
Good Sir smooth your brow, they'l not yield,
Except you promise not to wrong the Ladyes.
Kin.
Think not treacherous villains, we promise
Not to hurt, 'cause we stand in feare of you:
We cou'd have come with armed men, that soone
Shou'd have chastis'd your bold usurping spirits,
But that I sham'd the aire shou'd know the
Foulnesse of the deed, my blood beares such an
Interest in it—upon mine honour Ile not touch 'hem.
Fab.
Then to shew how much we scorne the name
Of Traitor: here on our bended knees we
Yield our weapons.
Delivers their Swords.
King.
What 'twixt the tender Motions of a father,
And their approved valour which we ought
To cherish, even in our enemies, I feele
My plyant heart yield to a calme discourse.
Stand up—
Tell me Honorio, sham'st thou not, that
Goodly wreath of Bayes, thy deserts
Did challenge to adorne thy brow, which seem'd.
More fresh and faire, then were the twining
Limbes of the Pienean Daphne shou'd now
Decay and wither: didst thou, a stranger,
Aide me 'gainst the Rebels of my State,
And plac't in my bosome prove thy selfe
A Traytor?
Hon.
Great sir, but heare me speak;
When he attempteth food: if it be
Treason for that man who spends his life in
A vale of Teares, after some sad disaster,
When he sees a heaven plac't before him
And aspires to be seated there, then you
May stile my love and zeale to vertue
Treason: But if not, then pardon me, if
The whitenesse of my soule does animate
To tell you, 'tis not justice to oppose what
Fate and heaven decrees.
King.
Let not your pride so farre transport you, that
You taxe our justice: 'tis not your wither'd
Bayes can protect you from our thunder, if
We please to strike—Though justice cou'd not blame
Him whose thoughts aspire to heaven; yet that
Presumptuous man, shou'd strive to plucke
Iove from his throne, to be enstal'd
A Deity himselfe, deserves in a flame of
Lightning to be cast to Hell, there to amaze
The damned.
Hon.
Since no arguments can prevaile, take our
Lives, as sacrifice to your wrath.
Prin.
And I beseech you, as you are my father,
To grant me this preferment, to be sent
Before 'hem: when we are immortall we shall
Enjoy more freely; and because I have
Not yet made promise of my love, J now
Doe vow—
King.
Hold—
Prin.
No; by that dreadfull Styx, by which the gods
Ne're sware, and broke their vow, I love him:
Nor shall my heart ever admit a change.
Cla.
I vow the like to thee
Fab.
Then 'twill be mercy if you take our lives.
Hon.
And send us to enjoy each other in Elizium.
King.
No, you shall not obtaine that favour at
For thee, thou staine to Princely blood, I doe
Confine to your lodging, on forfeit of your life—
Callidus she's your charge; let no private
Messages or meetings passe betwixt 'hem,
As you respect our favour: and for you
Honorio and Fabianus, we sentence both
To banishment: and if after two dayes
You be seene within our Confines, we le
Have you mu'd up, and starv'd to death.
Goe, say we are mercifull you scapt
So well.
Clar.
What remaines for me?
King.
Your Fathers faithful service to us excuses you.
Prin.
For Heavens sake sir.
King.
Away, we'll heare no more.
Prin.
Lets but speake before we part.
King.
I say we'l heare no more.
Hon.
Oh Callidus!
Cal.
This is no time to talke, ith' morning
Ile procure a private meeting for you.
Hon.
Oh thou ty'st us ever thine: farewell.
King.
Away with 'hem Callidus—you know your
Sentence, and your time.
Exit.
Fal.
Come Honorio, let us two goe finde
A way to death; no salve to cure the mind.
Exeunt omnes.
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