University of Virginia Library

SCENA SECVNDA.

Disc.
Well hath the great Creator of the world
Fram'd it in that exact and perfect forme,
That by it selfe unmoveable might stand,
Supported onely by his Providence.
Well hath his powerfull Wisdome ordered
Th'in nature disagreeing Elements,
That all affecting their peculiar place,
Maintaine the conservation of the whole.
Well hath he taught the swelling Ocean
To know his bounds, lest in luxurious pride
He should insult upon the conquerd Land.
Well hath he plac't those Torches in the Heavens,
To give light to our else all darkned eyes:
The Chrystall windows thorough which our soule
Looking upon the worlds most beauteous face,
Is blest with sight and knowledge of his workes.
Well hath he all things done: for how alas
Could any strength or wit of feeble man
Sustained have that greater Vniverse,
Too weake an Atlas for one Common-wealth?
How could he make the Earth, the Water, Aire,
And Fire, in peace their duties to observe,
Or bridle up the head-strong Ocean,
That cannot rule the wits and tongues of Man,
And keepe them in? it were impossible
To give light to the world, with all his Art,
And skill, that cannot well illuminate
One darkened understanding. Oh my sonnes,
Never admire the Seate of government,
Nor let the haughty and ambitious thoughts
Of an aspiring minde, inflame your hearts
To climbe up to the false-supposed Heaven
Of high-authority.

Fal.
Now I thinke I am prevented: is he not starke mad already?

He talkes idely.
Disc.
The Chaire of State,
Though glorious seeming, oft proves dangerous,
Is alwayes troublesome, alwayes envied.
J heare the Regent of this onely Land
Not altogether unexperienced,
Having the assistance of grave Counsellers,
Ready to faint with burthen of my cares,
Thinke happy great Tiphoeus, who, they say
Lies pressed downe under large Sicily.

Amb.

Your loving Sonne, if his purpose hold, will ease
you; you shall not thinke Ætna upon your shoulders, he wil
make your head light enough.

Disc.
Let then your true affection so well plac't
On well deserving, well requiting loves,
Doubly reflecting on your nearer selves,
Grow strong in fast united amity;
That what no single strength or wit can doe,
Vertue conjoyned, may attaine unto.
But Demonstration call young Intellect
To be instructed; he was hither sent
By that great Empresse of the Isle of Man,
Renowned Anima his carefull Mother,
And as his youth, this child-hood of the day
Will best admit the best impressions.
But who's that? Fallacy? and whence come you?

Exit Demonstration.
Fal.
My gracious Father, carried on the wings
Of my ne're sleeping Piety, I came
From my owne house to doe my humble duty
Vnto your Majesty.

Disc.
Your earlinesse hath made some hast, but a report of you
From farre, before you, late hath beene with me.
How commeth it to passe thus, ô my sonne!
Vnhappy sonne, borne to thy fathers shame,
Living unto his griefe, thou causest me
In all the world to be ill spoken of
Through thy most lewd behaviour, I heare say
With Juglers, Cony-catchers, Gypsies, Rogues,
Base gamesters, lying Mountebanks, vild bawds,
And most damn'd couzners, you keepe company,
At blind Ale-houses, Innes, and Ordinaries,
Whore-houses, and Apothecary-shops,
With such like places, you doe still frequent,
Where you abuse the plaine simplicity
Of honest men, that I may justly spend
That breath where-with I would have blessed thee,
Into deserved cursings; and I ought
Profusely powre it forth in chiding thee.
But oh though wicked, yet I thinke my sonne,
I doe intreate thee; I will sue to thee
To leave these courses, and at length begin
Better to governe thy misguided selfe:
Looke to thy brothers, and not scorne to learne;
To me they duely doe performe their dutie
To men they doe approve their honesty.

He coughs.
Top.
Sir, will it please you to drinke this morning?

Disc.
Yes, I am dry with talking.

Exit Topicus.
Fal.
Then may it please your grace to give me leave
To speake in poore defence of my just cause.

Dis.
Say what thou canst, and oh I would thou couldst
Cleare thee of these foule accusations?

Fal.
First may I Sir, full worthily except
Against the oft-false-proved messenger,
Ever to be suspected, lying fame.
Then I appeale unto the Testimony
Of all the world, whether I have not
Alwayes my selfe associated with
The best reputed sort: great Princes have
Accepted of my wisht for company.
With most chiefe Statesmen I have beene familiar,
Vpon the Exchange not look't for, I have beene
By many wealthy Merchants oft saluted.
The fairest streets of the most famous Cities,
Are almost worne out with my often steps.
Nay, what place is there of more speciall note,
Where I (though not apparent seene of all,
I know you hate that foolish vanity)
Have not beene for the most part, resident?
But I hereafter, that your faithfull eye
May give true witnesse to my carriage,
Nearer at home, here in your sight intend
To shew my selfe, and my deserts approve
To your sure comfort, and my friends sound love.

Enter Topicus with a Cup in his hand.
Fal.
Where's your Napkin Topicus?

Top.
I have forgot it.

Fal.
Fie, had you no odde place to put you in minde,
Goe quickly and fetch one.

Exit Topicus.
Fal. receiveth the Cup, puts in poyson: Discour. drinkes, Topicus returnes.
Disc.

Let me embrace thee Fallacy, let me kisse thee my
dearest sonne, the prop of my age, the sole heire of my love:
My eares shall bee shut up hereafter to any complaints
brought against thee; I will take it as against my selfe; if
any henceforth accuse thee, I wil fight with him, I will beate
and baffle him; I will runne upon him, spit upon him.

Fal.

How lik'st thou this Ambiguity? is not his Style
chang'd since?

Amb.

Yes me thinks; before he spake in Verse, now hee
scannes not his words.

Fal.

Oh thou shalt heare him talke out of all measure.

Disc.

I will now goe walke into the Garden of the Muses,
and gather the choisest flowers that grow about Helicon, to
make a Garland for thy temples. I'le make the skilfull Rhetoricians
to empty all their shops of the freshest colours to
paint thy cheeks withall. Then the Grammarians I'le cause
to shape fit and well-fashioned garments for thee of the purest
Silke that ever was fram'd of true-woven words: Come go
with me, come goe with me.

Exeunt Disc. Fal.
Manent Top. Amb.