University of Virginia Library

SCENE ult.

Enter Panergus, and Cleobulus.
Bas.
VVhat good success Panergus have we had!

Pan.
The matters mannag'd well, the number mounteth.
A hundred thousand names this Parchment holds,
But here's Cleobulus I've not his Name yet.

Cleo.
Welcome Panergus, what always imploy'd?

Pa.
Here is a Parchment, set to it your hand.

Cleo.
I'le first peruse it:

Bas.
Put on your eyes of glass, and then consult.

He reads it to himself.
Cl.
In this Petition we do humbly crave,
Andronicus his goodness would be pleas'd,
To be joint Emperour with Alexius.

Pa.
You speak the very marrow of the matter.

Cl.
Had I a hundred hands, I'de set them to't.

Pa.
Thanks good Cleobulus, I did ever finde,
Your noble heart inclin'd to th'publike good.

Cl.
In a short time you many hands have gotten.

Pa.
To get them there were many hands imploi'd.

Cl.
Tell me what act and method did you use.

Pa.
In every Parish, Family, or Tribe,
We got the signal men first to subscribe,
And their example easily drew the rest,
Whole Herds of sillie people prest on us,
Names for our Parchment we at first did lack,
But Parchment for our Names at last grew scant.

Cl.
Did they peruse what was therein contain'd?

Pa.
Be't Bond, be't Bill, be't Libel, be't Petition,
They thought it sin should they not make their marks;
Where they were told their betters went before.

Cl.
Some names are forg'd here, but's a good deceit.

Pa.
You know old Courtiers know to counterfeit.

Cl.
This is a Womans writing:

Pa.
In Husbands absence, wife stands for husband.

Cl.
They should have put their tongues, then not their hands.

Pa.
If any did refuse we threatned them,
Or did return their names which is far worse.

Cl.
The Subjects freedom's thus by force preserv'd.

Pa.
But we lose time, come set your hand to't, come—

Cl.
My hand shall sooner rot, then I will do't.

Bas.
Said you not if you had a hundred hands
You would subscribe.

Cl.
I then should be a Monster,
When Monster I'le subscribe, not whilst a man.

Bas.
Why are you irregular from all the rest.

Cl.
Why are the rest irregular from right.

Pa.
Are you more holy then the Patriarch?
More just then all the Judges and more wise,
Then all the Councellors of State beside?
That what they grant should be deni'd by you:

Cl.
Ile not beleeve with an implicite faith,
Nor pin my soul upon anothers sleeve,
To them their Reasons known, and mine to me,
My soul stands on a Basis of its own:
Unto Alexius his great grandfather
My Infancy I was a subject born,
To's Grandfather my youth was servant, and
To's Father my old age was Councellor,
And therefore to his Son I will be just,
“I'le lose my life, but not betray my trust.

Pa.
He shall be but joynt Emperour with him

Cl.
If Crowns admit a Mate, they'le prove a Master,
Two husbands to one wife, I'le not allow;
Such Bigamy of State I can't approve.

Pa.
Alexius young, with old Andronicus,
Will make a wholsom Medley for our State;
The one brings hands, the other judgments;
The one shall Act, the other shall advise,
Headlong his speed, his gravity is staid,
His heat of youth allaid with ages cold.

Cl.
I love no by-Paths from the beaten Road,
Two Suns i'th Firmament no good can bring.

Pa.
Is this your Answer?

Cl.
All you'r like to have.

Pa.
Then farewel froward fool: Anothers loss
Thou count'st thy only gain, and loves to cross.

Cl.
In this Scene both you have been cunning Actors,
No doubt the Merchant will reward his Factors.

Exeunt.
CHORUS.