 | Revenge For Honour |  |
Actus Quintus.
Scena 1.
Enter Abilqualit, Selinthus, Gasselles, Osman, Souldiers, and Muts.Abil.
No more, good faithful Souldiers; thank the powers
divine, has brought me back to you in safety;
the traitorous practises against our life,
and our deare fathers, poison'd by our brother;
we have discoverd, and shall take just vengance
on the unnatural paricide: Retire
into your tents, and peacefully expect
the event of things, you Osman and Gasselles
shall into th'Citie with me.
Os.
We wil march
through the world with thee, dear Soveraign,
great Abilqualit.
Abil.
Selinthus,
give you our dear Tarifa speedie notice
we are again among the living: pray him
to let our loyal Subjects in the Citie,
have sure intelligence of our escape;
and dearest friends and fellowes, let not your
too loud expressions of your joy, for our
unlook'd for welfare, subject to discoverie
our unexpected safety.
Sel.
Never fear: they'r trustie Mirmidons, and wil stick close
to you their dear Achilles; but my Lord,
the wisest may imagine it were safer
for you to rest here 'mong your armed legions,
then to intrust your person in the City,
whereas it seems by the pass'd storie, you'le
not know friends from enemies.
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Selinthus,
Thy honest care declares the zealous duty
thou ow'st thy Soveraign: but what danger can
assault us there, where there, is none suspects
we are alive? we'l go surveigh the state
of things, i'th'morning we will seize the Palace,
and then proclaim our Right. Come, valiant Captains,
you shall be our companions.
Gas.
And we'l guard you
safe, as you were encompass'd with an Army.
Sel.
You guard your own fools heads: Is't fit his safety,
on which our lives and fortunes have dependance,
should be expos'd unto your single valour?
Pray once let your friends rule you, that you may
rule them hereafter. Your good brother Abrahen
has a strong faction, it should seem i'th'Court:
and those these Blood-hounds follow'd the sent hotly
till they had worried Mura. He has other
allies of no mean consequence; your Eunuch
Mesithes his chief Favourite, and Simanthes.
Abil.
It was that Villain that betray'd my Love
to him and slaught'red Mura.
Sel.
Very likely.
An arranter, falser Parasite, never was
cut like a Colt. Pray Sir, be wise this once,
at my intreaties; and for ever after
use your discretion as you please: these night works
I do not like; yet e're the morning I will bring
Tarifa to you.
Abil.
You shall o're rule us. Poor Caropia, these
thoughts are thy vot'ries; love thy active fire,
flames out when present, absent in desire.
Exeunt.
Scen. 2.
Enter Abrahen, Simanthes and Mesithes.Abr.
What State and Dignitie's like that of Scepters?
With what an awful Majesty resembles it
the Powers above? the inhabitants of that
Superior world are not more subject
to them, then these to us; they can but tremble
when they do speak in thunder; at our frowns
these shake like Lambs at lightning. Can it be
impiety by any means to purchase
this earthly Deity, Soveraignty. I did sleep
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as in my former innocence. Conscience,
thou'rt but a terror, first devis'd by th'fears
of Cowardise, a sad and fond remembrance,
which men should shun, as Elephants clear springs,
lest they behold their own deformities,
Enter Mesithes.
and start at their grim shadowes. Ha, Mesithes!
Mes.
My Royal Lord!
Abr.
Call me thy Friend, Mesithes,
thou equally dost share our heart, best Eunuch;
there is not in the stock of earthly blessings
another I could wish to make my state
completely fortunate, but one; and to
atcheive possession of that bliss, thy diligence
must be the fortunate Instrument.
Mes.
Be it dangerous
as the affrights Sea men do fain in Tempests,
I'll undertake it for my gracious Soveraign,
and perish, but effect it,
Abr.
No, there is
not the least shew of peril in't; 'tis the want
of fair Caropia's long coveted beauties
that doth afflict thy Abrahen. Love, Mesithes,
is a most stubborn Malady in a Lady, not cur'd
with that felicity, that are other passions,
and creeps upon us by those ambushes,
that we perceive our selves sooner in love,
then we can think upon the way of loving.
The old flames break more brightly from th'ashes
where they have long layn hid, like the young Phenix
that from her spicie pile revives more glorious.
Nor can I now extinguish't; it has pass'd
the limits of my reason, and intend
my wil, where like a fixt Star't settles,
never to be removed thence.
Mes.
Cease your fears;
I that could win her for your brother, who
could not boast half your masculine Perfections,
for you will vanquish her.
Enter Simanthes.
Sim.
My Lord, the widow
of slaughtered Mura, fair Caropia does
humbly intreat access to your dread presence;
Shall we permit her entrance?
Abr.
With all freedom
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beyond our wish. I'll trie my eloquence
in my own cause; and if I fail, thou then
shalt be my Advocate.
Mes.
Your humblest vassal.
Abr.
With-draw and leave us, and give strict order
none approach our presence
till we do call. It is not fit her sorrows
Enter Car.
should be survey'd by common eie. Caropia, welcom;
and would we could as easily give thee comfort
as we allow thee more then mod'rate pitie.
In tears those eyes cast forth a greater lustre,
then sparkling rocks of Diamonds inclos'd
in swelling seas of Pearl.
Car.
Your Majestie
is pleas'd to wanton with my miseries,
which truly you, if you have nature in you,
ought to bear equall part in your deer brothers
untimely losse, occasion'd by my falshood,
and your improvident counsel: 'Tis that calls
these hearty sorrows up, I am his Murdresse.
Abr.
'Twas his own destinie, not our bad intentions
took him away from earth; he was too heavenly,
fit only for th'societie of Angels,
'mongst whom he sings glad hymns to thy perfections,
celebrating with such eloquence thy beauties,
that those immortal essences forget
to love each other by intelligence,
and doat on the Idea of thy Sweetnesse.
Car.
These gentle blandishments; and his innocent carriage
had I as much of malice as a Tigresse
rob'd of her young, would melt me into meeknesse.
But I'll not be a woman.
Abr.
Sing out, Angel,
and charm the world (were it at mortal diff'rence)
to peace with thine inchantments. What soft murmurs
are those that steal through those pure rosie organs,
like aromatick west-winds, when they flie
through fruitful mists of fragrant mornings dew,
to get the Spring with child of flowers and spices?
Disperse these clouds, that like the vail of night,
with unbecoming darknesse shade thy beauties,
and strike a new day from those orient eies,
to gild the world with brightnesse.
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Sir, these flatteries
neitheir befit the ears of my true sorrows,
nor yet the utt'rance of that reall sadnesse
should dwel in you. Are these the fun'ral rites
you pay the memorie of your roiall Father,
and much lamented Brother?
Abr.
They were mortall,
and to lament them, were to shew I envi'd
th'immortal joyes of that true happinesse
their glorious souls (disfranchis'd from their flesh)
possess to perpetuitie and fulnesse.
Besides, (Caropia) I have other griefs
more neer my heart, that circle't with a sicknesse
will shortly number me among their fellowship,
if speedier remedie be not apply'd
to my most desp'rate maladie.
Car.
I shall
(if my hand fail not my determin'd courage)
send you to their societie far sooner
then you expect or covet. Why, great Sir,
what grief, unlesse your sorrow for their losse,
is't can afflict you, that command all blessings
men wittie in ambition of excesse
can wish, to please their fancies?
Abr.
The want only
of that which I've so long desird; thy love,
thy love, Caropia, without which my Empire,
and all the pleasures flowing from its greatnesse,
wil be but burdens, soul-tormenting troubles.
There's not a beam shot from those grief drown'd Comets
but (like the Sun's, when they break forth of showers)
dart flames more hot and piercing. Had I never
doated before on thy divine perfections,
viewing thy beautie thus adorn'd by sadnesse,
my heart, though marble, actuated to softnesse,
would burn like sacred incense, it self being
the Altar, Priest, and Sacrifice.
Car.
This is
as unexpected, as unwelcome, Sir.
Howere you're pleas'd to mock me and my griefs
with these impertinent, unmeant discourses,
I cannot have so prodigal a faith,
to give them the least credit; and it is
unkindly done, thus to deride my sorrows.
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with widow'd mates; my Lord, you are a Prince,
and such as much detest to utter falshoods,
as Saints do perjuries: why should you strive then
to lay a bait to captivate my affections, when your
greatnesse conjoin'd with your youths masculine beauties,
are to a womans frailtie, strong temptations?
You know the storie too of my misfortunes,
that your dead brother, did with vicious loosenesse,
corrupt the chast streams of my spotlesse vertues,
and left me soiled like a long pluck'd rose,
whose leaves dissever'd, have forgon their sweetnesse.
Abr.
Thou hast not (my Caropia;) thou to me
art for thy sent stil fragrant, and as precious
as the prime virgins of the Spring, the violets,
when they do first display their early beauties,
til all the winds in love, do grow contentious,
which from their lips should ravish the first kisses.
Caropia, thinkst thou I should fear the Nuptials
of this great Empire, 'cause it was my brothers?
As I succeeded him in all his glories,
'tis fit I do succeed him in his love.
'Tis true, I know thy fame fel by his practise,
which had he liv'd, hee'd have restored by marriage,
by it repair'd thy injur'd honors ruines.
I'me bound to do it in religious conscience;
It is a debt his incens'd ghost would quarrel
me living for, should I not pay't with fulnesse.
Car.
Of what frail temper is a womans weaknesse!
words writ in waters, have more lasting Essence,
then our determinations.
Abr.
Come, I know,
thou must be gentle, I perceive a combat
in thy soft heart, by th'intervening blushes
that strive to adorn thy cheek with purple beauties,
and drive the lovely liverie of thy sorrows,
the Ivorie paleness, out of them. Think, Caropia,
with what a setled unrevolting truth
I have affected thee; with what heat, what pureness;
and when upon mature considerations,
I found I was unworthie to enjoy
a treasure of such excellent grace and goodnesse,
I did desist, smothering my love in anguish;
anguish! to which the soul of humane torments,
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yet stil the secret flames of my affections,
like hidden virtues in some bashful man,
grew great and ferventer by those suppressions.
Thou wert created only for an Empresse;
despise not then thy destinie, now greatnesse,
love, Empire, and what ere may be held glorious,
courts thy acceptance like obedient Vassals.
Car.
I have consider'd, and my serious thoughts
tel me, tis folly to refuse these profers:
to put off my mortalitie, the pleasures
of life, which like ful streams, do flow from greatnesse,
to wander i'th'unpeopled air, to keep
societie with ghastly apparitions,
where's neither voice of friends, nor visiting suitors
breaths to delight our ears, and all this for
the fame of a fell murdress. I have blood
enough alreadie on my soul, more then
my tears can e're wash off. My roial Lord,
if you can be so merciful and gracious,
to take a woman laden with afflictions,
big with true sorrow, and religious penitence
for her amiss, her life and after actions,
shal studie to deserve your love. But surely
this is not serious.
Abr.
Not the vowes which votries
make to the powers above, can be more fraught
with binding sanctitie.
This holy kiss
confirms our mutual vows: never til now
was I true Caliph of Arabia.
Enter, Enter, Enter,
Abr.
Ha, what tumult's that!
Be you all furies, and thou the great'st of divels,
Abrahen wil stand you all, unmov'd as mountains
This good sword
if you be air, shal disinchant you from
your borrow'd figures.
Abil.
No, ill-natur'd monster,
we're all corporeal, and survive to take
revenge on thy inhumane acts, at name
of which, the bashful elements do shake
as if they teem'd with prodigies. Dost not tremble
at thy inhumane villaines? Dear Caropia,
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poison thee past recoverie.
Abr.
No, she shall not;
nor you, until this body be one wound.
Lay a rude hand upon me! Abilqualit,
how ere thou scapst my practises with life,
I am not now to question; we were both
sons to one father, whom, for love of Empire,
when I beleev'd thee strangled by those Muts,
I sent to his eternal rest; nor do I
repent the fact yet, I have been titled Caliph
a day, which is to my ambitious thoughts,
honor enough to eternize my big name
to all posteritie. I know thou art
of valiant noble soul; let not thy brother
fal by ignoble hands, oppress'd by number;
draw thy bright weapon; as thou art in Empire,
thou art my rival in this Ladies love,
whom I esteem above all joyes of life:
for her and for this Monarchie, let's trie
our strengths and fates: the impartial fates
to him, who has the better cause, in justice
must needs design the victorie.
Abil.
In this offer,
though it proceed from desperatenesse, not valor;
thou showst a masculine courage, and we wil not
render our cause so abject as to doubt,
but our just arme has strength to punish
thy most unheard of treacheries.
Tar.
But you shall not
be so unjust to us and to your right,
to try your causes most undoubted Justice,
'gainst the dispairing ruffian; Souldiers, pul
the Lady from him, and disarm him.
Abil.
Stay!
though he doth merit multitudes of death,
we would not murder his eternitie
by sudden execution; yeild your self,
and we'l allow you libertie of life,
til by repentance you have purg'd your sin;
and so if possible, redeem your soul
from future punishment.
Abr.
Pish, tel fools of souls,
and those effeminate cowards that do dreame
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not such a thing in nature; all the soul
of man is resolution, which expires
never from valiant men, till their last breath,
and then with it like to a flame extinguisht'd
for want of matter, 't dos not dy, but rather
ceases to live. Injoy in peace your Empire,
and as a legacy of Abrahens love,
take this fair Lady to your Bride.
stab her.
Abil.
Inhumane Butcher!
has slain the Lady. Look up, best Caropia,
run for our surgeons: I'le give half my Empire
to save her precious life.
Abr.
She has enough,
or mine aym fail'd me, to procure her passage
to the eternal dwellings: nor is this
cruelty in me; I alone was worthy
to have injoy'd her beauties. Make good haste
Caropia, or my soul, if I have any,
will hover for thee in the clouds. This was
the fatal engine which betray'd our father
to his untimely death, made by Simanthes
for your use, Abilqualit: and who has this
about him and would be a slave to your base mercy,
deserved death more than by dayly tortures;
and thus I kiss'd my last breath. Blast you all.
dies.
Tar.
Damn'd desperate villain.
Abil.
O my dear Caropia,
my Empire now will be unpleasing to me
since I must lose thy company. This surgeon,
where's this surgeon?
Sel.
Drunk perhaps.
Car.
'Tis but needlesse,
no humane help can save me: yet me thinks
I feel a kind of pleasing ease in your
imbraces. I should utter something,
and I have strength enough, I hope, lest yet
to effect my purpose. In revenge for your
suppos'd death, my lov'd Lord, I slew my husband,
Abil.
I'me sorry thou hast that sin to charge thy soul with,
'twas rumour'd by the souldiers.
Sel.
Couzens mine, your necks are safe agen now.
Car.
And came hither
with an intent to have for your sake slain your brother
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alter'd my resolution, with this poniard
I'de struck him here about the heart.
Stabs Abil.
Abil.
O I am slain, Caropia,
and by thy hand. Heavens, you are just, this is
revenge for thy dear honor which I murdred,
though thou wer't consenting to it.
Car.
True, I was so,
and not repent it yet, my sole ambition
was to have liv'd an Empresse, which since fate
would not allow, I was resolv'd no woman
after my selfe should ere injoy that glory,
you dear Abilqualit: which since my
weak strength has serv'd me to performe, I dye
willingly as an infant. O now I faint,
life's death to those that keep it by constraint.
dye.
Tar.
My dear Lord,
is there no hopes of life? must we be wretched?
Abil.
Happier, my Tarifa, by my death:
but yesterday I playd the part in jest
which I now act in earnest. My Tarifa,
the Empire's thine, I'me sure thou'lt rul't
with justice, and make the subject happy. Thou hast a Son
of hopefull growing vertues to succeed thee,
commend me to him, and from me intreat him
to shun the temptings of lascivious glances.
Sel.
'Las good Prince!
heele dy indeed. I fear, he is so full
of serious thoughts and Counsels.
Abil.
For this slaughtred body,
let it have decent burial with slain Muras,
but let not Abrahens corps have so much honor
to come ith'royal monument: lay mine
by my dear fathers: for that trecherous Eunuch,
and Lord Simanthes, use them as thy justice
tells thee they have merited; for Lord Selinthus,
advance him (my Tarifa) hee's of faithfull
and well deserving vertues.
Sel:
So I am,
I thought t'would come to me anon:
poor Prince, I e'ne could dy with him.
Abil.
And for those souldiers, and those our most faithfull
Muts, that my life once sav'd, let them be
well rewarded; death and I are almost now
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dyes.
Tar.
Sure I shall not
survive these sorrows long. Muts, take those Traitors
to prison; we will shortly passe their sentence,
which shall be death inevitable. Take up
that fatal instrument of poisonous mischief,
and see it burn'd, Gaselles. Gentlemen,
Fate has made us your King against our wishes.
Sel.
Long live Tarifa, Caliph of Arabia.
Tar.
We have no time now for your acclamations;
these are black sorrows Festival. Bear off
in state that royal Bodie; for the other,
since twas his will, let them have burial,
but in obscuritie. By this it may,
as by an ev'dent rule be understood,
they're onely truly great, wh'are truly good.
Exeunt omnes.
Recorders Flourish.
FINIS.
| Revenge For Honour | |