University of Virginia Library

SCEN. 5.

Enter Maria, Cessarissa, and her Nurse.
Nur.
Good Lady, Be not drown'd in Passion,
Anger's short fury.

Mar.
Furie's then long Anger,

Nur.
Were here a glass that you might see your self,
How strangely Passion hath transform'd your face,
Displaces pale for red, and red for pale.

Mar.
When young I suckt your milk, but am not bound,
To be rul'd by your Councel at these years.

Nur.
It was a wholsom breast that bred my milk,
From loyal heart my Councel doth proceed.

Mar.
But here comes Paleologus, he'l speak for himself,

Enter Paleologus.
Mar.
Out of my sight, thou baseness I do scorn,
To lose my eyes upon so low an object.

Pal.
I beg the favour but to know my fault.

Mar.
Greece is grown barbarous, and quite bereft,
Of former worth, no not the dregs are left,
Or so much ruines as may teach the strangers,
And bring this forth to their sad remembrance;
That once you had brave worthy Ancestors:
The ancient Proverb was The valiant Greek,
The modern Proverb is, The merry Greek,
And mirth of late all manhood hath devourd,
Fames Trumpet once did sound the youths of Greece,
Who made their voyage for the Golden Fleece.
You may adventure now for th'Asses skin.

Pal.
I would I could read your meaning—

Mar.
What did my Father Manuel for this?
Weaken his own to strengthen your estate,
Who did not make your Fortunes but create 'um,
Whose boundless bounty, vast magnificence
Gave you more pounds then you were born to pence.
He made you honourable, rich and great,
Oh that he could have made you grateful too!

Pal.
Expound good Lady to us what you speak.

Mar.
To see a base Usurper mount the Throne,
To mate and check your lawful Emperour.
See it, and neither wag a hand nor tongue,
Tame Traitors all.

Pa.
I do deny your words,
And would defie the Speaker, were you a man?

Mar.
Had nature moulded me a man, before
Things should go as they doe, I'de swim in blood,
They're Traytors which consent to treason.

Pa.
True.

Mar.
And they who don't oppose it do consent.

Pa.
Yes having power and office to resist it.

Mar.
All have an office, to resist Usurpers.

Pa.
All have not power.

Mar.
Not power? a loyall minde,
Sufficient power will quickly make or finde.

Pa.
What would you have us do? destroy our selves.

Mar.
No, I would have you to preserve your Prince.

Pan.
Our selves, We for his safety do reserve.

Mar.
To give him Physick when he's three days dead.

Pa.
Do but consider seriously our case,
And whom your passion now condemns for fools,
Your judgment will acquit, and praise for wise,
Our lives, our lands, are at the sole disposing,
And cruel mercy of our potent foes.
If any whisper but the lowest word
Of Loyalty, there's one to cut his throat.
Hence houses rifled, goods pillag'd, lands forfeited,
Our selves disabled from all further service,
Had we not better for a time comply;
Spend what we please in thoughts, but speak nothing,
Bow to our foes, that they may not break us.
Storms will not always last, when this is over,
In season due we will discover our selves.

N.
Me thinks he speaks proportion'd to reason.

Pa.
By what your Father did bestow on me,
To whom next to the Heavens I ow my self,
I vow I want not, will but wait a time,
With best effect to shew my Loyalty,
It will the better speed for this long pause.

Mar.
Be thine the tongue's, no matter what's the cause?
Concealed Loyalty as well as lands,
We hope at last will fall to'th Princes hands,
And let no Nobles hope their worth will shine,
Who make the Sun of Majesty decline;
If Honours spring be dry, 'tis vain to dream,
That Rivers thence deriv'd can have a stream.

Exeunt.