 | The Sophister |  |
Act. 5.
Scæ. Prim.
Enter Fallacies followers madde, and singing, and at last fall together by the eares: he comming, they disperse and fly.Fal.
What Pannick fury hath o'rerun the world,
Or universall madnesse raignes this day?
Are there not fellowes, those whose subtile braines
Would have spun forth the finest villanyes?
Those whose sound heads so oft I have employ'd
In working deepe designments; and see now
What wilde confusion hath tane hold of them?
Was't not enough that truth, and Intellect
With hated science and opinion,
Escap't by them, art set at liberty?
But they in this disordred fashion
Must make me odious, scorned, and despis'd?
Oh that I could convey me from this world,
Or know where to hide me, but my dores
Are lock't against me, and my wicked wals
Late surfetting with filthy luxury,
Doe seeme surcharged cleane to spew me out.
Is't possible that I should be thus crost?
What is there any goodnesse in the world
Of force enough to contervaile the wit
Of proud Fallacy? or is't some feind,
Some divell not of his owne confederacy,
That with his counterplots controlls my skill?
Or was my selfe the cause, my cursed selfe,
Lulled asleepe in fond security?
Exit.
Anal.
'Twas well you came so timely Æquipolency,
The memory of this foule imposture may survive
In that recover'd couple.
Æquip.
Sir they added,
As they found ease amidst their vomiting,
Pouring forth curses against Falacie,
How for his sake they had thrust the worthy Brothers,
Topicus and Demonstration, into their desperate fury.
Jud.
Now I doe verily believe Analysis,
That villain's cause of all, it will appeare
He forc't his fathers madnesse.
Anal.
Æquipolency,
Leave the perfume behinde you. Looke you use fresh pigeons,
Vntill the venome of their wounds be quite exhal'd,
There were no losse of them but at this time,
Their words may be produc'd, therefore pray be carefull.
Æqui.
I will.
He delivers the Perfume, and departs.
Now let him be brought hither, feare not stirring him,
I warrant he's secure. Invention
You shall doe well, if against his waking you provide some show,
And Musick, which may welcome home his wandring senses.
Jud.
Ile see what may be done for both.
Exit.
Analysis lets Discourse blood.
Now see Judicium, here's no blood but humours,
This black stuffe is the excrement of Melancholy:
This sometimes makes him 'mongst the groves and rivers,
Pen Sonnets to the Nymphs and Goddesses;
In good assemblies to withdraw his thoughts,
And dictate to his Desk and Closet walls,
Dangers with which a wise man scarce would trust
His very bosome—this next
Breathing seditious discontent and malice,
This humour rules them, from this fiery vapour,
'Tis not the Chaire of State of Iustice seate,
Can shield the Prince or publike Magistrate,
Yea unto Heav'n it self it oft aspires,
Against Religion and the sacred Arts,
Casting prophaner and impurer darts:
This watry Phlegme, is that which putrifying
His springs of breath, infects the neighbouring ayre
With blasts of slothfull envie, whence destruction
Casts mists upon the best endeavours.
Jud.
Now me thinkes
The blood appeares, 'twere best Analysis
You stop the Orifice.
Anal.
Oh his blood
Is much corrupted. This doth feed that veyne
From whence lascivious Songs, lewd Epigrams
And obscene Satyrs flow. This itching humour
Oft keepes him waking: watching, fils his braines
With gyddy phantasmes; yet we'l not take too much.
Bring me the cupping Glasse.
Jud.
What, must he be martyr'd?
Anal.
This is most needfull, else that windy matter
Which often grieves him worser then the Cholick
Till it breake forth, will still continue.
Jud.
Now I wish
The Hypocausticall and brothel-writers were thus eas'd,
Which vent forth volumes faster then the Presse
Can get in rags for Paper.
Anal.
'Tis enough.
Light the Perfume: Methinkes he moves a little,
Sweet smels confirme the sense and ease the braine,
And though no vapour nourish, it conveyes
The spirits to the purest root of life.
Inven.
What stirre yet? the Musick is at hand,
Attended with a Maske.
Anal.
It comes most seasonable.
Jud.
I thinke 'twere best we convey'd him in again Analysis,
And let him rest a while upon his pallet.
Anal.
It may doe well, I will not leave him now
Vntill these hopes grow stronger. Let us goe.
Exeunt. leading Discourse in.
Enter Ambiguity and Fallasie.
Amb.
My Lord, I have contriv'd the accusations.
Fal.
Well, let me heare them: mine own wits doe faile,
It may be there is somewhat thought upon,
May helpe in extremity: let's heare.
Amb.
My Lord,
Forgetfull of her honour, mighty Truth,
In base and meane attire hath walkt the streets,
Yea, which hath made my modesty to blush,
Starke naked hath she oftentimes appear'd,
And flying better presence, usually
With children, and grosse-pated long-tongu'd fooles,
And poore distracted persons hath been found,
On Taverne benches plunged all in Wine,
By sencelesse drunkards lovingly embrac'd.
Shee oft hath suckt impure and loathsome breath,
From their uncleane and soule stinck-belching throats,
With most disgrac't-esteemed hereticks
Conversing alwayes: never was she seene
Amongst religious, far more glorious
And faire appearing holy Confessors.
Fal.
And have her daughters so demean'd themselves.
The heavens, starrs, the Regions of the aire,
The land, the Sea, Scientia hath seene,
But is a stranger in what most concernes
The countrey, families, or private good.
She is become the only patronesse
Of idlenes, and selfe consuming sloath.
The quickest spirits, fit for action,
Being dul'd in fruitlesse speculation:
Yea many of her most admired straine,
Puft with conceits of their all knowing skill,
Have run starke mad, or in a vilder veine,
To damned Atheisme have beene inclin'd.
Lady Opinion seeks to insinuate,
And winne good liking with the vulgar sort
To them, since pleasing objects she propounds,
And with most curious art and industry,
Doth both invite, and entertaine their loves.
Prudent and vertuous axioms she hath made
Distastfull seeme, and Paradoxicall.
She sometimes simple, most times subtile is,
But now deceitfull, straight deceiveable,
And only constant in inconstancy.
Fall.
This will doe well, for I must take some course
To satisfie this overcurious age.
But what newes hear'st thou stirring?
Amb.
Sir, I heare that Lord Opposition and Contradiction
have hurt each other.
Fall.
So! what dangerously?
Amb.
Yes, so tis said.
Fall.
I did thinke so much.
These fighting fellows will ne're hold their hands:
Till they have pul'd some vengeance on their heads
But thanke thou Heav'n for't, if thou miscarry,
Assure thy selfe that thou art only left
To be the heire of my prosperity.
O Sir, the Heavens intend me no such happinesse, the
scurvie Apothecary Æquipolency hath with his curiosity drawne
out the rancor of their wounds, and no question is made of their
recoverie.
Fal.
Is't possible
Amb.
Nay, which is as strange, hee hath made them friends,
and now they nothing but exclaime against you, except it bee
sometimes when they rayle against me for your sake.
Fal.
Well, we with patience must rest content,
Thou knowst that innocence is still traduc'd.
Amb.
Againe Sir, as I was comming hither, I was told that
Analysis had let mad Discourse blood, which I laughed at, thinking
his head was light enough before.
Fal.
Discourse let blood, and Opposition
Past danger, friends with Contradiction—
Tis time I looke about me.
Now desperate misery inspire some trick,
I must doe somewhat: so, this may doe good,
I may escape so, but doe make a vow
I will take heed of their Parrhesians.
But now Ambiguity, say my mad father should recover his little
wits, and call me to account for my ill government.
Amb.
You must answer your selfe for me.
Fal.
Answer for thee, why have you deserved so much thinke
you, that you should be call'd in question.
Amb.
Sir, I meane you must answer by your selfe, I have some
skill in accusing, but none in defending.
Fal.
I care not if I try what I could doe. Doe you examine
like his gravity, Ile answer as I can.
Amb.
At your command.
Fal.
But here, take first my Gowne, 'twill make me speak the
more respectively: give me thy Cloake, now thou mayst bee the
bolder.
Well, when will you begin?
Amb.
Could I so easily be well assur'd
I should as gladly thanke, as now most loath,
Condemne your forwardenesse, and would you knew
How I dislike these courses t'ane of you.
Fal.
My gracious Lord, 'tis knowne I did refraine
The weighty glory of your government,
Till my more able brothers sorely hurt,
Could not themselves, much lesse the state sustaine.
Amb.
But I doe heare you banish't have the realme
My trustiest and best knowne Councellers.
Fal.
Doubting my Lord 'mongst many working heads,
Least some enflamed with ambition,
By ruine of their Countries common good,
Might seeke to raise themselves. I did remove them
From medling with all matters of state.
Amb.
If it be so, I thanke thee Fallacy,
And doe commend thy wise bestowed care.
Fal.
Now if I could leave him, this robe might serve as a safe
conduct. Ile faine some present businesse, well stay thou here, I
in this disguise will muffle my selfe and see what they doe, the Evening
approaching will keepe my counsaile.
Amb.
Shall I expect you here?
Fal.
Yes, by all meanes let me know where to finde you.
Amb.
So, this makes me think what I shall be, carelesse what
I am, and forgetfull what I was, I seem halfe invested in my hopes
already. Those sword and buckler fellowes I hope will never get
his favour more: and now the joyes of Hermenia, are not equall to
those in my bosome. I would the proudest enemy I have would
finde me in this fashion, Oh I could looke upon them most disdainfully—will no body come.
Enter Proposition, Description, Conclusio.
Desc.
Was it not told us that Fallacy was here?
Conc.
And here is some body; he, or his shadow
'Tis Ambiguity.
Disc.
Sirrah, where is your Master Fallacy?
Amb.
Lord Fallacy, my master, is not here;
His leisure serves not ordinary commers;
But if you have some earnest suite to him,
My meanes may prove your chiefest furtherance.
Pro.
We thanke you Sir, but we must speake with him.
Amb.
You thank me, what unmannerly and untaught grooms
are these, how unacquainted with the phrase and methode of the
court, I lookd they should have answer'd in a language better understood
of great mens favourites. And must you speak with him?
I know no businesse of men of your fashion, but I may have the
the hearing of it, suffice it you, I will vouchsafe you answere.
Pro.
Sir if you will needs know our businesse. Of Capitall
Treason, we arrest you here,
As conscious of all those vilde designes,
Which gainst our Soveraigne, and his worthy sonnes,
Against this state, and those distressed Ladyes
Of poore Verona, late have been contriv'd
By Fallacy and you his damned creature.
Amb.
What, meane you as you speake?
Disc.
Yes, and ere we leave you, we will teach you to speake
as you meane. Equivocating shall not serve your turne.
Amb.
Hath Fallacy us'd me thus, and forsaken me in my extremity.
Pro.
Come, let us have him to our Soveraigne. He shall examine
him himselfe.
Desc.
Stay, here comes his Majesty.
Enter Discourse leaning upon Invention and Iudicium, Intellect going before, Distinction following.
Disc.
Now honourable friends, our realme and we
And so many those ill fortunes prove the last
Instructions of your fraile infirmity.
As we in service to you, and your state,
Intend to make some satisfaction.
Iud.
Sir, our respect to you, our love to yours,
Makes all that can be found within our power
Seem but as tribute and deserved duty.
Disc.
And you young Lord, whose vilde imprisonment
Adds much unto the burthen of my wrong,
I hope will not conceive amisse of us,
Who tenderly affect you, as our owne.
Intell.
May it please yon, now I am return'd againe so safe,
I would not for any thing but have been shut up where
I was, I have seen more then ever I did before.
Disc.
I easily beleeve it, what Distinction, have you the Keyes?
Dist.
I have gracious Lord.
Disc.
And cannot Fallacy as yet be found.
Prop.
My Lord, we have surprized here
One of his chiefe and nearest followers,
But of himselfe, as yet we cannot learne.
Disc.
And oh I pray he never may be found
Or heard of more within Hermenia:
Let him be hated throughout all the world,
But ever banished from forth the coasts:
That wretched father, with the wicked sonne,
That sought to spoile me of my dearest pledge,
Have felt in part, the Heav'ns impartiall doome,
For violating all the lawes of love:
Yet let them when their health and strength shall serve,
Be both conveyed hence to th'Antipodes:
And as for that tumultuous frantick crew,
Which revell it so loosly in our streets,
Dragging our subjects basely by the eares,
And serve as gally slaves till they come there:
Our selves desiring to make recompence
For those injurious wrongs which harmlesse Truth
And her distressed daughters have sustain'd,
Intend forthwith in joy to celebrate,
Betwixt my sonnes and those admired Nymphs,
On either side long wish't for Nuptialls.
Wew hope ere this, our Queene and banish't friends
Are safe returned, and now courteous Lords,
Late patient partakers of our woe,
Let us request of you, that ye this night
Associate us in feasting and delight.
Dist.
My gracious Lord, you have forgot Ambiguity, shall not
he be rack't, I could stretch him exquisitely, I would faine be his
Procrastes.
Disc.
It were but folly to torture him,
We know too much already, too too much;
Yet let him strait be whipt out of these parts,
And if thou lik'st the office, thou thy selfe
May'st be his friendly executioner.
Dist.
With all my heart.
Disc.
What, come Lords, will you go?
Intel.
We will attend your Majesty.
Exeunt Disc. Intell. Prop. and Discrip.
Dist.
Oh Sir, you may remember how you us'd me, I thought
I should have a time to deale with you, will you untrusse, come,
I must unease you, as you did me.
Amb.
Fallacy hath your cloake, I have it not,
Dist.
That is no matter, you shall have it so sure as the gowne
is on your backe.
Ambiguity slips his gowne and runs away, Distinction follows.
Exeunt.
Iud.
Nay, good Invention, since we meeting here
Have found all things so quietly compos'd,
I must remember you of what you promis'd
The verses which you profer'd to my view,
Cannot but fit this opportunity.
Inv.
I hope I have not lost them, these are they—
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