 | Regulus |  |
ACT III.
SCENE A Field.Enter Regulus, Metellus, Lepidus, Roman Guard.
Reg.
The Spartan General is a Souldier,
He manages with skill the advantages
I let him have.
Met.
I do not think it safe
To give so great a man advantages.
Reg.
The chief advantage I bestow upon him
Is opportunity to perish bravely.
He has Recruits indeed, but what are they?
African Slaves whose Lords I've often beat,
I blush to fight so base an Enemy.
Met.
You would blush more should you be beaten by them.
Lep.
You let 'em have a Chance for Victory,
Which, Sir, you may deny 'em if you please.
Reg.
Yes we may lodge our selves on yonder hill,
Like frighted Birds on Trees to keep from danger,
And be the mockery of the Enemy.
Which of you can endure the Shame an hour?
See he comes bravely on and tempts you all.
Who's not fir'd by that alluring sight;
And finds not in his blood a lust to fight?
[Ex.
22
Enter Asdrubal, Hiarbas, Gisgon.
Gis.
Sir, we beseech you, do not venture your self.
Hiar.
We beg you, Sir.
Gis.
What should you venture for?
Asd.
You know for what, a Crown.
Gis.
Sir, you may have a Crown without venturing. Do not yonder men
fight for you?
Asd.
If I do not fight, I shall have an inglorious Crown, I must fight for
Glory.
Gis.
You may have Glory without fighting too. The great Persian King
has got much Glory by war, and never saw a fight in his Life.
Hiar.
A great Prince, Sir, like a great Palace, will ring with the blows
others give. Your Name will have a noble sound, from all the blows which
make many a Coxcomb ake, though you ne're strike stroke.
Asd.
This is prate, I must not lose mine Honor.
Gis.
Sir, if you will go, I beseech you kill me. Your danger will put
me in such torment, I shall not be able to bear it. I would not follow you
for all the world, and see an Arrow come near you.
Hiar.
Sir, you are going to be a King, keep State. Do not let every
paltry Sword be familiar with your Person.
Gis.
Sir, I, who am but a Gentleman, scorn as much to let a base Fellow
fight with me, as eat with me.
[A Shout.]
Enter an Officer.
Off.
Good news, Sir, your Enemies are beaten. Lord Hamilcar is taken
Prisoner.
Gis.
Huzza! well Sir, you are a glorious Prince. What Soldiership you
have shown to day?
Asd.
Do you laugh at me? You would not let me discover Soldiership.
Gis.
We would not let you play the common Soldier, and run your self
into danger; but you shewed such Generalship as I never saw, and I have
seen many a General, and many a General in my time. They may talk of
their Reguluses, and their Reguluses; Sir, if you ben't a better Soldier than
Regulus, I'le hang for't.
Asd.
Oh! prithee!
Gis.
Come, Sir, I know Generalship when I see it. Now, Sir, the
Crown is within your reach, send me to Sea; I'le do you Honor there, I'le
keep you such a Table—
Hiar.
Shall I humbly offer you my advice, Sir? Make all Persons depend
upon you. Crush them that will not. Advance them that will. But
above all, favor those upon whom you depend, that is to say, us Priests.
23
Go, fetch my Lord Hamilcar. [to an Officer.]
now he's mine.
[aside.
His Daughter will be mine. I have hold of her
By a strong tye, Affection to her Father,
I love her beauty, though herself I hate,
For the disgrace and scorn sh'as thrown on me.
If I can ever get her in my power,
She first shall please my Lust, then my Revenge.
Enter Hamilcar a Prisoner.
So, so, here comes the noble Criminal.
Dear Countrymen you see the power of truth.
I charg'd this Lord with Treason against the State;
Great was his power and policy, but truth,
Greater than both, breaks out in spite of 'em.
Ham.
Dear Countrymen, y're all out of your way;
And 'tis no wonder men in darkness rove,
What light have you in mysteries of State?
What business there? could you come by a light?
I pray who made you Privy Councellors?
The Senate never did. A Roman Tribune
Was i' my house to day; know you for what?
No, when you do, you'l be asham'd o' this.
Asd.
My Lord y're of a Noble Family;
But the more great you are, the greater bonds
Lie on you to be faithful to the Public,
From whence you have such great advantages,
Truth is a Debt you owe the Commonwealth,
A man of Honor ought to pay his Debts.
I should be glad you'd fairly discharge yours,
For my own sake, that I might come off cheaply
Without the torment of tormenting you;
For I can pain no man, and scape my self.
Hiar.
Here's a sweet Gentleman.
Gis.
A lovely creature.
Ham.
My Lord you wrack me now, by shewing me
Such shameful baseness in a Nobleman.
Asd.
Is it possible? have you no tenderness
Nor for the Commonwealth, nor for your self?
He'l force me to inflict those torments on him,
Which I can never suffer tho he can.
Hiar.
Was ever such a noble soul, to have such a concern for his Enemies?
Gis.
Oh! Countrymen! you'l have a delicate Magistrate!
Enter Batto.
Asd.
Oh! here comes one I hope, can ease us all.
Batto you've had great dealings with this Lord,
And must know very much of his designs;
24
You'd greatly serve your Country and your self.
Bat.
How? I turn Evidence when the trade comes to nothing? no such
matter, I ne're like the trade when 'twas at best. Besides I have nothing to
evidence. I could make a Story, but what should I make of the story? it
may be a Rope for my self. A great man, if an unmanageable thing, I don't
care to deal with him. Though he's down now, he may get up again, and
knock my brains out.
(aside.)
An't please your Honor, I only dealt with
his Lordship about money matters; if he had any treasonable designs, he
had more wit than to tell me, he knew I abhorred them, and would discover
them. Therefore I had a pretty good opinion of him, because he employ'd
me. So I can say nothing against him, I'm sorry for it.
Asd.
I must be forc'd to fly to violence,
Most unexpressibly against my nature.
Gis.
Good Gentlemen!
Asd.
Ha! what I wish! I see his Daughter come.
[aside.
Enter Elisa, and her Women.
El.
Oh! where's my Father? Oh! my Lord! my Lord!
Ham.
Daughter, away! away! you ruine me.
I was not half undone before you came,
For you my better half was then secure.
El.
I cou'd not hold from venturing my own life
To preserve yours.
Ham.
Prethee what canst thou do
To preserve me that will not ruin me?
Wilt thou give up thy honour?
El.
Heaven forbid!
Ham.
That thou wilt do only by marrying him,
Since thou art promis'd to a Nobler Man.
El.
I'll try to fool him into clemency.
Ham.
Oh! he will not be fool'd.
El.
Yes by a woman.
Asd.
Madam, I hope y'are lab'ring to preserve
Your Father, both from death and suffering.
I seek to do't; whose ruine he hath sought,
Can you prevail with him to own the truth?
El.
My Lord, you know he's innocent, at least
You do not know of any guilt he has.
Asd.
We do not know, what's needful to be known,
We know so much that I shall deserve death,
If I consent to smother all the rest.
Madam I have much tenderness for you.
Indeed I'm very unwilling to let fall
Your Fathers heavy doom in your soft ear,
Therefore I pray retire out of harms way.
Attend the Lady out.
25
Oh! hold my Lord.
Can you destroy the Father of a Woman
Whom you once dearly lov'd? You swore you did.
Asd.
To save the State, I cou'd destroy my self.
El.
My Lord, the World knows well, you love a Woman
Above the Commonwealth, above your self.
And if you can be cruel to a Woman,
What must the Men expect when at your mercy?
They must all please your Lust, or be destroy'd.
For, oh! my Father did refuse me to you,
From thence arises all your Rage against him.
Asd.
Madam! I am so far from private Piques,
Let any Man discover me a way
How publick Safety, and your Father's Life
May stand together, and with all my heart
I'll pardon him, what e're he did to me.
Nay more, I'l lay my Life under his Feet.
Ham.
How good are you? for I'l ne're pardon you
The Mischiefs you ha'done the Commonwealth.
El.
Oh! hold, my Lord! you will undo your self.
Asd.
No Madam, no, this Provocation
Defends him from me; I'l forbear him now,
Because I will not shew private Revenge.
Hiar.
Oh! Gen'rous!
Gis.
What a brave Spirit is here?
Bat.
I have been much mistaken in this Lord.
El.
There appears something very great in him.
[Aside.
Had he been always thus, I shou'd have lov'd him.
Asd.
Dear Fellow Citizens! I am accus'd
Of Cruelty, Revenge and Treachery.
I ought to clear my self of all these Vices
Before I enter on Authority.
Then how revengeful I am, pray observe.
My Lord Hamilcar has been long, and yet
Continues my most cruel Enemy.
I have consider'd, Sirs, and do believe
The Publick may be safe in honest hands
Tho' my Lord lives, therefore I beg his Life.
Gis.
Here is a noble temper.
Asd.
More to engage you to bestow his Life,
I'll wrap my Life in his, and with your leave
I'll wed his beautiful and virtuous Daughter.
El.
Ha! Are you thereabout?
[Aside.
Ham.
You ask the Peoples leave to wed my Daughter,
Sure I've most Title to dispose my Child.
26
May she be punish'd as she does deserve.
Asd.
My Lord, my Lord; you shew so bad a heart;
The Publick is not safe while you'r alive.
Madam, once more, I beg you retire.
Attend the Lady hence.
El.
Oh! hold, my Lord!
Asd.
What wou'd you have me do?
El.
I know not what.
Asd.
You see your Father will not save himself.
But, Madam, you may save him if you please.
El.
I must consent, or he will rack my Father.
[Aside.
Well, Sir, I yield.
Asd.
To be my Wife?
El.
I do.
Asd.
Then I am happy, and your Father safe
Ham.
Daughter, be gone I charge you.
El.
And leave you to the Rack?
[Aside.
Ham.
You are a Rack.
Your shameful Falshood to the gallant Spartan
Tortures me more, than any Rack can do.
Whilst he's defending us, we betray him.
El.
I'll to this Traytor give nothing o'mine
[Aside.
Except this Dagger; this shall to his heart,
[Shews a Dagger.
Even at the Altar.
Ham.
Oh! 'twill be soul Play!
You'll stab your Honour and Integrity:
'Twere better both of us shou'd lose our Lives.
El.
My Lord, I had much rather grieve your heart,
Than let Racks tear it out—I will proceed.
My Lord, I'm yours.
[To Asd.
Asd.
My Dear!
[Embraces her.
Bat.
There goes the Game.
Now I know where to make my Court. I'll get some fine Pendants for her.
I think I have gold Tweezers in my Pocket.
[Aside.
Hiar.
Oh! Blessing on you, Madam; you make the Prince a happy Man.
Gis.
Oh! pretty Creature! what sweet work will be here to night between
'em? I sha'nt sleep for thinking of it. Well, much good may do
you both; in good Faith, and Troth, I wish it with all my heart.
Asd.
Gisgon, Will you assist this pleasant work?
Gis.
Assist it, Sir? Ay, Sir, with all my Soul.
What part shall I have in it, Sir?
Asd.
Prepare
A Bridal Entertainment, and my Bed.
Gis.
With all my heart.
[Shout.
27
Gen.
Sir, y'are undone! here's Regulus in Town.
Asd.
Here's Villany.
Hiar.
What, is the Town deliver'd up to him?
Gen.
No, Sir, he's taken Prisoner by the Spartan General, assisted by the
Roman Tribune, who was at the Lord Hamilcar's house to day, and came
thither for the great design they have now brought about. Now, Sir, your
own Friends the common People join with your Enemies against you, and
threaten to tear you i' pieces for abusing 'em.
Enter Xantippus and the Spartans, they seize Asdrubal, Hiarbas, Gisgon.
Xan.
Secure 'em all, my Love—
[Runs to El.
El.
My Lord!
[El. runs to Xan.
Asd.
Right Woman!
El.
Oh! you are come in season, to preserve
My Honour, and my most dear Father's life.
Xan.
I have heard all. I'm told Lord Asdrubal
You have prepar'd a Bridal Entertainment,
Pray will you lend it me.
Asd.
With all my heart!
I'll ne're refuse my Enemy any thing
May help him to a Wife, and a false Wife.
El.
My Lord, I had prepar'd
A scurvy Bridal Entertainment for you.
'Twas this, my Lord—
[Shews her Dagger.
Asd.
Madam, y'ave not deceiv'd me.
You had deceiv'd me, if you had been faithful;
For from a Woman no Man looks for Faith.
[Aside.
Asd.
I fear I'm lost.
[Exit.
Hiar.
I thought—
Ham.
Can you read Books without a light?
Hiar.
No.
Ham.
Yet you'd read our Councels i'th' dark;
And know without doors, what we do within.
To Prison with the Priest, and Gisgon too.
Gis.
I'm a dead Coxcomb! I'm troubled for my honourable Family.
[Ex.
Bat.
I wish your Honour Joy with all my heart,
[To Ham.
And your Excellence, and your Ladyship. I am so glad o' this turn.
Ham.
Why? what shall you get by't?
Bat.
The satisfaction to see honest Gentlemen in power, and Knaves
punish'd.
Ham.
Well said; you shall get something by this turn.
I'll give you a Lift.
Bat.
I humbly thank your Honour,
You were always my good Friend.
Ham.
I'll help you to a hanging.
Bat.
To a hanging?
28
Yes, yo've traffiqu'd with the Romans,
And sold 'em Arms.
Bat.
Oh! I'm hang'd, I'm hang'd!
[Ex.
Ham.
Now, Sirs, I hope you will learn modesty.
[To the People.
And no more censure things above your reach.
We do not know the mysteries of your Trades,
Because we never were instructed in 'em.
Pray who taught you the mysteries o'State?
What strange conceits Men have of governing?
Men must serve Years to know a Handicraft;
Yet all pretend to skill in Government,
By natural light and instinct, as Birds build.
Men will pretend to't who want common Sense,
Yet are not laugh'd at neither; every Man
Willingly lets the Frolick go about,
So he has leave to take it in his turn.
[Ex. Rabble.
Now my brave Friend—
[To Xan.
Xan.
My Lord, you'll lose your words.
I can hear nothing but Elisa's voice.
El.
My Joy's too great for words.
Xan.
And mine for thoughts.
El.
Alas! what makes me weep?
Ham.
Excess of Joy.
Which I am pleas'd to see—Well, General,
Where left you Regulus?
Xan.
I know not where.
I saw Elisa, and Joy hurried me
Out o' my Wits I think to meet her Arms.
Ham.
Oh! now I see him in you gaping Throng,
Well, I'll conduct him to the Senate House.
Xan.
Do what you please, but do not trouble Love.
Oh! it is now a busie time with me;
And in the sweetest best affair in Love.
For Heav'ns sake release me now to love.
Ham.
I will, I will, then go together, go.
Xan.
My Dear!
El.
My Heart.
Xan.
My Soul, more than my Soul.
[Ex. Xan. El. embracing.
Enter Regulus, as a Prisoner, guarded; followed by the Rabble.
Ham.
Here comes the glorious, tho' unhappy Man.
Most noble Consul.
Reg.
Do you mock me, Sir?
Ham.
The Gods forbid.
Reg.
I'm Consul now no more.
29
You may be, Sir, you have at your dispose
The destinies of Carthage, and of Rome,
Shall I attend you to the Senate house?
Reg.
Whither you please, to death if you think good.
Ham.
With how much greatness he o're-looks his Fate?
[Ex. Omn.
SCENE the Roman Camp.
Enter Metellus, Lepidus.
Met.
The Consul's lost! dreadful reverse o' Fate!
It overturns my Reason, makes me doubt
If Vertue ought to have regard from Men,
Since it has none from Heaven.
Lep.
What will become
Of his poor Children he has left at Rome,
And your fair Daughter here?
Met.
I dare not think.
Lep.
I have charg'd all to hide the News from her.
Met.
Oh! she will quickly find it in our Looks,
And universal Consternation.
Oh! Gods! how will her Sorrows pierce my heart?
But those of Rome will give me deeper wounds.
Lep.
See, Sir, your Daughter comes; retire with speed,
Or your confusion will discover all.
Met.
Too late! but if I can, I'll rule my self.
[Lep. goes off weeping.
Enter Fulvia and her Women.
Ful.
Oh! Sir! what means this terror in your Camp?
Some unseen mischief, like a Pestilence
Strikes your Men pale and mute; their only Proofs
Of breath are Sighs, but words I can have none.
Oh! something with the Consul is amiss.
Where is he, Sir?
Met.
Do not retard me now.
Ful.
Oh! do you shun me too? he's kill'd! he's kill'd!
Met.
He lives, let that suffice.
Ful.
Then why de'e shake,
And look so sad? Oh! he is near his death.
Wounded to death.
Met.
Not so, he is in health.
Ful.
Oh! let me see him then.
Met.
In fitting time.
But Rome must be serv'd first, in her Affairs
He's now engag'd; longer I cannot stay,
Follow me not, nor be inquisitive.
Ful.
Stay, Sir, I humbly beg.
Met.
What wou'dst thou say?
30
Ful.
Sir, I fought near the Consul as I cou'd.
But crowds of Enemies and clouds of dust
Soon took him from my sight, and since that time
I've heard no news of him. All is not well
You hide some dreadful Secret in your Breast,
Because y'are fearful it shou'd do me harm.
You wou'd have all the Sorrows to your self.
I thank you for your generous tender Love.
But am I worthy of his Love and yours,
If I'm no more than other Women are?
If ill has hapned to the Man I love,
I'll grieve, but shew my grief some noble way.
I'll not be pitied for my womanish tears,
But do some glorious thing in his revenge,
Shall make us all be envied.
Met.
Nobly spoke!—
I'll trust thy courage—know he is surpriz'd,
And led to Town a Captive.
Ful.
Horror! horror!
Met.
Is this your promis'd bravery?
Ful.
Did I say
I wou'd not grieve? yes, Sir, I ought to grieve;
But every tear I shed, and pang I feel,
I'll put to the account of cursed Carthage.
Now I consider I may spare my tears;
This mercenary Town much prizes Gold,
For this we need but make our treasure weep.
Met.
No, I'm afraid they'll prize him above Gold,
But shortly we will free him with our Swords
Though by strange Fate he's fallen into their hands;
We have not with the Consul lost the day.
No, their great purchase they have dearly bought,
Some hundreds of brave Spartans are cut off.
I do not find our Army much impair'd.
And shortly we expect two Legions more.
The Wind is fair; I'll see if they be come.
[Ex.
Ful.
So now my sinking heart is rais'd again,
Yet the brave Captive shall enslave the Town;
We're here a Conqueror's, I a Bridal Crown.
And we'll make burning Carthage, when we wed,
Our Nuptial Flame, and light us both to Bed.
| Regulus | |