University of Virginia Library

ACTUS QUINTUS.

Enter Mercutio, Pupillus, Fled-wit, Plod, and Flavia.
Pup.
How? and how stands the businesse?

Fla.
Nay, you know best.

Pup.

Perceive you not an alteration, or transmutation in my
outward person?

Fla.

Me thinks your words fall off your tongue with a more becomming
grace.

Pup.

Thinke so: be wise and catch 'hem as they fall: they may
inspire you.

Fla.

You are strangely metamorphos'd since I saw you.

Pup.

Mutor pro temporum ratione, as the learned say.

Mer.

That's the fruit of his Scholastique inspiration.

Pup.

O Lady, if your heart be stone, I wou'd 'twere broke.

Fled.

I have heard men wish their Mistris heart wounded, never
broke.

Pup.

Pshew, my love is not like other mens, that will whine
and crye, looke pale, and weare night-caps: no, my love is a
bouncing love, and makes no more of cracking a Ladyes heart,
than a Squirrell of a Nut.

Mer.

A notable crack.

Pup.

For harke you a word in your eare (I wou'd not have these
Gentlemen know it) I am inspired.

Fla.

Now by Diana is it true?

Pup.

I have sed it, be wise and have me.

Fla.

O you men have such strange wayes to play upon poore women.

Pup.

Nay, there's but one way I'de play upon you.

Fla.

And will dissemble most egregiously.

Pup.

Who I dissemble? why these Gentlemen will sweare all
my acts are simple.

Fled.

Nay Lady, I know he has not a thought but what is meerly
innocent.

Pup.

If you'll but marry me, there is not that desire, or inclination,
which you shall have; but I will strive with my best
part to satisfie: what wou'd you more?

Fla.
I must confesse you promise faire.

Pup.
And will performe as well.

Fla.
Alas my Virgin feares bid me I shou'd not yield.

Mer.
A poxe of your Virginity.

Fla.
I know not what to doe.

Pup.
Come, I know what to doe, and you'le say but I once.

Mer.
Madam, it can be no blemish to your modest
Vertue, to yield your love at first to one, whose
Worth and fortunes equall yours.

Fla.
Why then I wholly yield me yours.

Pup.

That's well said, this kisse in earnest; come, we'll not
stand long upon the businesse, but bee marryed presently: I must
provide Ribbond for all the Courtiers.

Mer.

You may save that cost; their hats are so stuff'd with Ribbons
already, they'll finde no roome to weare 'hem.

Pup.
Poxe 'tis a French fashion:

I warrant there are some wou'd change their very faces with a
French man to be a la mode, but come, you two shal lead the Bride,
and you shall give her.

Mer.
You shall command us.

Pup.
Soe, soe.
Hymen! O Hymen snuffe thy torch and see
A paire of Lovers, leads their way to me.

Exeunt.
Enter Princesse and Lady.
Prin.
Whither is compassion fled, that should
Inhabit in the breasts of men, and make
Distinction 'twixt their knowing soules, and
Sencelesse cruelty of savage beasts, guided
By their wills to ruine, not reason, how, or whom;
When he that beares the title of a King,
And Father, can nor find mercy in the one,
Nor love ith' other: oh you sad lovers that are
Crost by Fortune, and your Parents hate, come
Pay your floods of teares, as tribute
To my sorrow.

Lad.
Madam be pleas'd to retire and repose your
Selfe; sorrow and want of rest must needs impaire
Your health: thinke not because she, whom
You please to honour with the name of friend,
Is taken from you, that none is left true
And faithfull to attend you; yes, I am one,
Though young in service to you, would (if made
Happy ith' triall) embrace a danger, to
Assure your quiet.

Prin.
Can this be reall?

Lad.
Yes, as your griefes are true.

Prin.
Is there one left faithfull to attend me
Now my Clara's gone? If so, prethee
Conduct me to some gloomy vale,
Wrapt with unpleasant shades of Yew
And Cypres, sprung up from lovers graves:
On which the croaking Raven, with other Birds
Of night may sit and hollow sad accents;
Such as may fitly simpathize with mourning:
A murmuring brooke of wronged Virgins teares,
That may glide softly by, and receive mine,
To augment their streames: a bed of Mosse,
Gather'd from Vaults and Charnells, where
The dead inhabit, to repose us on, there
Thou and I will sit and feed on sorrow,
That shall feede on us, and when we
Both are dead, some distracted Muse fled
To those groves, shall in an uncouth
Tone sing our sad Requiems.

Lad.
I was plac'd by your father, in hope I might
Have remov'd this passion; but your discourse
Makes me an object rather to incite you mourne,
Then otherwise: let me intreate your highnesse sit
And repose your selfe: Ile trye my voyce to charme
Your eyes and heart with pleasing slumbers.

Prin.
Most willingly, some rest in sorrow will do
Well—Begin.
Song.
So my Charmes have tooke, poore Lady
She has not enjoy'd so much quiet rest,
Since Honorio and Fabianus left
The Court.
Enter Callidus.
Who's that?

Cal.
'Tis I Lady: How fares the Princesse?

Lad.
Speak lower, she's asleep.

Cal.
Good heaven be prais'd, she may in time
Forget her griefes.

Lad.
Not till the King forget his cruelty:
I dare not say the name of King gives
It a more modest title.

Cal.
I must confesse, 'tis little lesse—but Subjects
Must not see, much lesse say, what mis-becomes
Their Prince; 'tis enough we performe what they
Command, not question why.

Prin.
Oh my Clara: oh my Honorio.

Lad.
Shee wakes.

Prin.
Who's that Callidus?

Cal.
Yes Madam, the King commanded me to give
Your Highnesse notice, last night Embassadours
Came from Portingall to Naples, and the King
Hath already given them both audience and
Their answer, and they are making a speedy
Returne backe from whence they came, the
Reason of their comming or businesse I understand
Not: but 'tis his Majesties pleasure you instantly
Repaire to him.

Prin.
More corrasive: well, my duty binds me
To awaite his pleasure.

Cal.
I shall attend your highnesse.

Prin.
My sad soule presages some new affliction.

Lad.
Take comfort gracious Madam.

Prin.
There is no rest I ever hope to have,
Till heaven decrees I rest within my grave.

Ex. omn.
Enter King, Moronzo, and others.
King.
My Lords, what think you of the match
Betwixt the Prince of Portingall, and our daughter?

Mor.
Without question my Liege, 'twill prove
Fortunate for both, if the Princesse
Can be drawne to affect him.

King.
I make no question but to winne her to't:
Are the Ambassadours return'd for Portingall?

Mor.
They are my Liege.

King.
Tis well, we expect his arrivall suddainly:
Moronzo, let it be your charge to see all things
Correspond so great an entertainment—
Where's Callidus? we sent him to attend
Our daughter hither.

Enter Princesse, Callidus, and Lady.
Mor.
They are here my Liege.

King.
What mourning!
This habit ill becomes you, knowing it contradicts
Our will.

Prin.
Pardon me sir, it best sutes my thoughts,

King.
It best sutes the blacknesse of your disobedience.

Prin.
Sir, name but that thing, rests in my power to
Divert your anger, my duty shall lend me wings,
On which Ile flye to act.

King.
Your speeches are but aire, there's no performance:
You insult too much upon the softnesse of my temper:
But heare me now with that attention thou
Wou'dst an Oracle, pronouncing of thy fate,
What my will decrees.

Prin.
If death, I shall embrace it.

King.
Then briefly thus, Portingalls great King
Our late enemy, Fame reporting what
Thou least deserv'st, vertue and obedience,
Has by Embassadours, 'twixt you, our Kingdomes
Heire, and his sonne, treated of a match;
Whereof (because 'twill be a meanes to unite
Our Kingdomes, which have beene long at variance)
We have accepted, and return'd this answer,
That if he please in person to come for you,
He shou'd enjoy you.

Prin.
O my Prophetique soule!

Cal.
This will make sure for ever against Honorio
And Fabianus.

King.
Thinke but the danger will ensue, if you refuse:
First, to mock the expectation of a King
Can bring no lesse than warre upon our
Now peacefull Kingdome: next, the shame
Of forraigne nations: and lastly, my curse
Pursues thee to thy grave, if thou refuse:
Thinke on't, theres no delay, the Prince will with
Speed be here, and claime our promise:
Therefore let your face beare smiles, to expresse
His welcome; if your obedience will prompt you
To doe this, you shall, besides the height of
Happinesse in so blest an union, enjoy againe
The company of Clara, the freedome of
A Queene, and all the pleasures earth can bestow.

Prin.
And all wil prove but torment without Honorio.

Cal.
She's ith' same note still.

Kin.
Dulcimenta, you know our will,
Which if not perform'd,
Exit King, cum alys, man. Prin. and Lady.
By all my hopes, I sweare thy Fates decree'd,
My curse pursues thy soule, thy heart shall bleed.

Prin.
Every houre creates but a new torment.
Was ever cruelty like this? is't not enough
To banish him I love, but force my affection
On another? rob me of my blisse, and not
Afford me quietly to mourne: in what
A strange Dilemma is my soule perplext?
Death I meet, whether I refuse or yield:
Which of those two instruct me Love;
If J yield, 'twill be a death Mortality,
Knowes not to sustaine; because to live
With one J cannot love: if deny, 'twill
Be an easier death; but then a curse
Will make my paines eternall: say J
Avoyd the curse, and match this forraine Prince.
The curse of Lovers will pursue me
For the breach of faith:
On then, J am resolv'd, Jle rather dye,
Curs'd for my faith, than for inconstancy.

Exeunt.
Enter Mercutio, Plod, Fled-wit, and Flavia.
Mer.
Ha, ha, ha, he's as foxt within, as a Constable by mid-night:
Thou hast him sure wench now.

Fled.
As fast as the Parsons tongue, and
Their consents could bind 'hem.

Mer.

Now thou must remember thy Benefactors in the dayes
of thy prosperity.

Plod.

We shall share I hope in your good fortunes.

Fled.

Even all alike.

Mer.

That's well said.

Fla.

De'e heare gentlemen, you have draind him pretty well already,
bin paid for your labours—Beleeve it, you have all you are
like to have of him, or me.

Mor.
Come, thou dost but jest wench.

Fla.
You shall finde I speak in very good earnest:

If a supper, and a sack posset can content you, you shal be welcome;
for any other matter, you see the interest you are like to have of him
or me.

Mer.
Canst thou so wickedly forget thy friends?

Fla.
No sir, 'twill prove vertue.

Mer.
Canst thou name that thing cal'd vertue?

Fla.
Yes sir, and will learne to practice it.

Mer.
The devill thou canst.

Fla.
Patience sir, in this case, will prove your best
Remedy: You have my resolution Gentlemen,
And so farewell.

Exit.
Mer.

Poxe goe wi' you, and all the dissembling generation of
you—Now Gentlemen where's our dinners, sack, and wenches;
our mid-night revells, and what not?

Fled.

Guld by a woman: now the curse of an insatiate desire
pursue 'hem all.

Plod.
Lets home, and study mischiefe.

Mer.
No faith, lets learne to live better,
And goe sober to bed.

Fled.
That we shall never doe.

Exeunt.
Enter King, Moronzo, Callidus, with Attendants, at one side of the Stage, a Lord disguised, as Prince of Portingall, Honorio, Fabianus, Philomusus disguised as Attendants at the other.
King.
Cease Musicke.
Welcome great Prince to Naples, and so
Are all about you.

A shout.
Cal.
The people second it with acclamations of their joy.

Lord.
The bounty of your Kingly love transcends our
Expectation or desert.

King.
Our power attaines not the performance of our will.

Lord.
If you strive to out-vye friendly expressions,
My stocke of language will not extend to see't.

King.
I have.

Lord.
Great sir, how fares your Princely daughter.
Whom Fame reports fitter to consort with
Angels, than to match Mortality.

King.
You'll find fame has beene too lavish sir—
Call forth our daughter.

Enter Princesse, Clara, Marania, and Lady.
Lord.
Thus Aurora blushing proclaimes the day.

Prin.
Ah me!

Lord.
Why sigh you Lady?

Prin.
To think a Prince shou'd come to sue
For what I cannot grant.

Lord.
How's this? is her affection plac't else where?

King.
Were it so, no doubt you have Oratory sufficient
To divert it.

Lord.
I did beleeve you had before we came prepar'd
Her heart to give us entertainment.

King.
I did; and thought your presence would have
Remov'd all obstacles to hinder your enjoying—
Away thou scorne of time.

Lord.
This strange and unexpected—Your patience Sir,
Ile trye my fate—Lady it should seeme you
Have already dispos'd your love: Ile not dispute the
Worth of him you have pleas'd to make so happy:
But behold I bring a heart, fraught with as true
Affection, as ever man could boast; a title too
That may deserve you: refuse me not, 'twas fame
First tooke my eare, your, beauty now my heart.

Prin.
Wou'd I had lesse of both, since both prove so unhappy.

Lord.
'Tis you make 'hem so; demolish not with sorrow
Such a beauty, as were enough for all your sexe,
And make 'hem proud to know 'twas part of yours.

Prin.
Retaine this language for those whose height
Of love can meete your flame; tis vainly
Bestow'd on me; my heart's already fixt.

King.
Let me rip out that heart, the Cabinet
Of rebellious thoughts.

Lord.
Good sir, give not so much scope to fury.

Prin.
To take all cause of further sute away,
Receive my story and resolves in one:
Then let him sacrifice my heart to love,
And I shall live triumphant after death,
Dying that causes Martyr, however,
Great Prince, deeme not a Ladyes worth impair'd,
When I declare I lov'd beneath my birth.
My father, at his returne from warre,
And bright Conquest shining on his sword,
Brought with him one, whom he himselfe
Esteem'd the mirrour of valour, and heroicke acts;
His name Honorio, whose descent unnam'd,
None knew from whence, except the child of Fame:
That Noble Stranger's merit wonne my heart,
And so we two grew of one faith, one mind,
Till adverse fortune envying our blisse,
We were betray'd; he banish'd from me,
And I alone left to deplore my fate:
Now let all know, by heaven's I'me fixt, nere
To enjoy another.

Hon.
Excellent Lady! I take you at your word;
discovers.
And thus receive your onely true Honorio.

Prin.
Ha! where?

Lord.
So, I must resigne.

Hon.
Here in me.

King.
How's this!

Hon.
For firmer proofe, see Fabianus here.

Fab. discovers,
King.
Amazement seazes me.

Fab.
Thus I bring home a true love to my Clara,
A loyall Subject to my Prince.

Cla.
My dearest love.

Prin.
Oh are these joyes essentiall?

King.
Our Guard there, off with their heads: doe you mocke
Our fury with impostures?

Cal.
They deserve your utmost rage.

Hon.
How—Stay your fury till you have a cause.

Prin.
May I beleeve this happinesse?

Hon.
T'is a truth as reall as we thus embrace.

Cla.
Oh Fabianus live I to enjoy thy love!

Fab.
Thou dost; on thy lip I doe confirme my blisse.

King.
Are not you that same Honorio, whom
I exild with Fabianus there?

Hon.
Yes.

King.
And dare you set foote upon our Confines
After such a Censure?

Hon.
Yes, but not as Honorio onely; but as Prince
Of Portingall.

King.
How, you Prince of Portingall?

Hon.
As sure as you are King of Naples.

King.
It cannot be.

Hon.
By Circumstance Ile mak't appeare:
The same of this blest Lady, spred through
My Fathers Court, wing'd my desires to view
So much perfection; which made me take
Occasion of your present warre, to insinuate
My selfe in favour of you and of the Court,
But durst not presume discovery, by reason of
The unhappy difference 'twixt our Kingdomes,
(The cause whereof has beene related) then at the height
Of happinesse, some envious fate possess'd you
With the knowledge of our loves, so banish us:
In whose supposed Exile, this noble Lord became a
Philomusus discovers.
Willing partner, and I bare him with me
To my Fathers Court; which that 'tis truth
He's able to enforme you.

Phil.
Sir, upon the safety of my life he speaks all truth.

King.
Dost thou confirme it Philomusus?
Then 'twere sinne to beare the least suspition;
Be neare us, thou deserv'st more honour than
We can bestow—Pardon great Prince the
Severity of our anger 'gainst your person
When you were unknowne: but in requitall,
Here receive our daughter, with free consent,
And prayers to prosper both.

Mor.
Fabianus and Clara, I thus joyne your hands.
Heavens send you joy.

King.
Oh Callidus, thou wert the instigator of my Anger.

Cal.
So, all will out I see.

Mar.
How?

Hon.
Who Callidus?

Fab.
What our friend?

King.
Plainly I now perceive he cloathed his spight
Under pretence of duty.

Cal.
Pardon I crave, J doe confesse J gave too great
A scope to envy and ambition, that a stranger
Should so much deserve your royall—And then
A hope to obtaine those honours should be took
From him.

Mar.
Gracious Soveraigne, I beg his punishment
May be refer'd to me.

King.
Be it so.

Cal.
Then I expect mercy; for you love—

Mar.
I did, before you prov'd false to the name
Of friend; but now resolve never to wed you:
And 'cause Ile not torment you to see another
Possesse my love, and for ever to keep my selfe.
From solicitation, call forth a Priest of Vesta.

Cal.
What will my dearest doe?

Enter Priest.
Mar.
Thus vow my selfe a Recluse.

Mor.
I am happy in so blest a Child.

Omnes.
The mirrour of her Sexe.

King.
Then Callidus away, and learne to amend hereafter.

Cal.
O Marania thou art cruell—Your Majesty hath
Shewne me mercy; I obey.

Exit.
King.
Now set forward toward Hymens Temple,
To confirme these Nuptialls; and
Let all stile it, that shall heare this story,
The Noble Stranger, or eclipsed glory.

Exeunt.