University of Virginia Library

ACTUS, 5.

SCENA, 1.

Clinias, Cleobulo.
Clin.
Why, this Moor's a devil,
and now I know the reason
why they paint the devil black of his colour;
he makes no more of beating us, then Squirrils
do of cracking nuts; 'tis his ordinary exercise
before meals to get him an appetite,
and afterwards to help digestion:
we are never quiet for him, but when we sleep,
and shortly I fear he'l fall upon us like
a night mare in our sleeps too.

Cle.
I'de compound with him for a limb
with all my heart,
and let him chuse any he pleas'd except my neck.

Cli.
Wod I were certain to escape with that,
but you are well enough serv'd now, why wod
you offer to beat him?

Cleo.
Why, because I thought
he wod not beat me again, else I'de have seen
him hang'd e're I'de have meddled with him:
well, we must hold together, there is no remedy,
he's too hard for either of us alone; but Hercules
himself (they say) is not strong enough for two.

Cli.
I, but if he shud prove stronger
then Hercules,
what then? that old saying wod do us but little good:—
'light here he coms, I'm as feard of him
as of a bear broke loose, and running after me,
and look every moment when he'l catch me by
the breech.

Scena, 2.

Cleander, Clinias, Clebulo.
See see, he becons us away.

Cleo.
But let's not stir for him;—
yes I'le warrant you, when can you tell?

Cli.
Look again.

Cleo.
No matter, let us but hold together.

Cli.
He comes upon us fearfully, look h'as got
a staff too; now for a dry beating, I'm
as sure of it.—

Cli.
I'le warrant you, oh oh!

Cli.
Oh, oh, a my conscience
h'as broke my neck.

He yoaks his staff cross theirs necks, & whirls them round.
Cleo.
I think mine's broke too,
and pray heaven it be no worse.

Cli.
A vengeance on him, are these his tricks?
he'l make more work for Surgeons if he hold on,
then Brandee wine with Dutchmen
in their Kirmesses;
or Stum in Taverns with quarrelsome Englishmen,
he made me spin like a top.

Cleo.
And I imagin'd
my self a hand-mill grinding mustard seed.

Cli.
If he cod speak yet, and give us but a reason
for his misusing us, 'twod never anger me.

Cle.
For my part I'm glad he's dumb,
for if he cod speak, I'm sure
'twould be but a word and a blow with him.

Cli.
Away, here comes my Lady.

Scena, 3.

Erminia, Cleander, Althea following.
Er.
The time draws nigh,
and night approaches, I'le go unto the Princess,
and see if she be drest yet, I joy to think
how happy I shud be to advance her happiness;
“and there's a secret pleasure in doing good,
“by none but those who do it, understood.

Exit.
Clea.
She's gone unto the boy, and I
unknown to Amynter will follow her,
and kill them both together; he's of too milde
and too relenting nature for me and my
stern purposes; “and what w'ar once resolv'd to do,
“wise politicks count it but little wit,
“to confer with those may hinder th'doing it.

Exit.
Alt.
So, this 'tis
to be out of favour, I'm excluded now;
and if I prove unfaithful,
she has absolv'd my faith:
nor can she complain seeing she trusts me not,
that I betray her trust:
all rivals jealousies help to revenge me on her,
and adde to those mine own revenge to boot,
for threatning to turn me out of service, I'le
serve her for't as she deserves, & tell the Duchess
of Aurindo's concealment here, & of the Princes
marriage with her too,
whilst he researcht her onely by my means,
and by gifts and presents sought
my mediation, I lov'd him for it,
but hate him now he seeks to marry her;
my profit's lost by't:
& women of my quality, if they be wise,
shud count those onely friends, who bring them gain,
and when the gain ceases, count them enemies.

Exit.

Scena, 4.

Erminia, Cyrena in Womans Attire.
Er.
So now y'appear like your self the bright
Cyrena unclouded in all your glories, so
appears the sun so glorious and so bright
after a long Eclipse.

Cyr.
Nay now you flatter me.

Er.
I wod to heaven men wod believe so, 'twod
acquit our sex of envy, and I shud easily
be acquit of flattery, for none can doubt
but they must be rather envious who praise you not,
then flatterers who do.

Cy.
Nay if you hold on,
you'l give me a beauty I had not, and make me blush.

Er.
I ought rather to blush,
you have so little help, but 'twas your desire
for greater secrecy, and secrets lose
their vertue, just like precious perfumes
when once disclos'd, & more th'are hid the more
they conserve their pretiousness.
Pray let me help you, this curle's a little too long.

Cy.
Pardon me Madam.

Er.
Beseech you 'tis but my duty,
you are not us'd to these petty things,
and 'tis so long since you saw your self drest,
you and your mirrour
well may be to seek.

Speaks all this in dressing her.
Cy.
How much am oblig'd
unto you dear Erminia?

Er.
Dearest Madam,
think I was onely born to serve you; where
was the Prince's judgement (I wonder) where
were his eyes? having seen this beauty once,
he cod ever look on any other?

Cy.
He might be well excus'd,
having seen yours once, to have quite forgotten mine.

Er.
Mine! alas
'tis never to be seen on the same day with yours,
nor ever so much as to be mentioned with it;
nor do I say this out of complement now,
but meerly out of consciousness of mine own defects.
Stay a little more, and I have done.

Cy.
Sweet Erminia,
you make me even bankrupt with your curtesies.

Er.
Sweetest Madam, I shall think
you tax me with want of it,
if you speak any more of it.

Scena, 6.

Cleander rushes in, Erminia, Cyrena.
Er.
What rudeness is this?

Cle.
Now for my revenge,—ha! what's here?
the boy vanisht! and a woman in the place!
what strange apparitions are these?
what wondrous delusions of the sight?
ther's witchcraft in it sure!
I can't believe mine eyes.

Stares wildly about, & exit.
Er.
what means this Moor, he's grown strangely
jealous of me of late, (whatsoere's the matter)
and I begin to fear him.

Cy.
I was afeard h'ad come to apprehend me.

Er.
Pardon me Madam,
I'm asham'd you shud finde such rudeness here,
but trust to't, you shall be put no more to these
affrights.—
Come pray be merry, if the Prince shud chance
to sleep in your arms to night instead of mine,
I hope your Highness wod not be offended at
the mistake.

Cy.
Imagine sweet Erminia by your self,
whether you'd be offended Cleander
shud do the like by you.

Er.
I fear my happiness is not yet so nigh,
though I wish yours may, so now all here's prepar'd,
I'le go and put all in prepare without
for the Prince's reception, & leave you the while
to the entertainment
of your better thoughts.

Exit.
Cy.
As those who walk over fearful precipices
avert their eyes not to behold their danger,
so I avert my thoughts
from thinking on mine, only this I find too clear.
“love's a solicitous thing, and full of fear.

Exit.

Scena, 6.

The Duchess, Althea, Cleora.
Duc.
Thanks Althea for thy intelligence, and
the Duke shall thank thee too, go thou before,
and wait to give us entrance, I'le but go
advertise the Duke, and instantly follow thee.

Al.
I shall Madam.

Exit.
Duc.
They shal not steal a mariage in the dark,
I'le light their nuptial Tapers up, and for
Aurindo I'm glad I've found him; I was afeard
h'ad fled my anger, and escaped my revenge,
which now he shall finde after this little stop,
like violent torrents stopt, which grow but more
violent after, then e're they were before.

Exit.
Cleo.
She's gone inrag'd, and nothing's more
impetuous then womans rage, no battering Ram
demolishing ston wals to dust, nor violent thunder
riving whole forests, and shivering mighty oaks
like slender reeds; woe to poor Aurindo
must stand the shock of it,—wod I'd some body
to tell this news to now; no cholick, no strangury,
nor pangs of child-birth were e're half so painful,
as the retention of news, to a woman that longs
to be deliver'd of it; and here comes some body.

Scena, 7.

Olinda, Cleora, Anthenor, Leontius following.
Cle.
O Olindo! hast' heard the news of Aurindo?

Ol.
No, what is't?

Cle.
He's at Erminia's, and just now
there's order given to apprehend him.

Ol.
Alas!

Cle.
But you must say nothing now.

Ol.
Pho, no avaritious body holds money faster
then I do secrets you know.
O Anthenor have you heard the news
of Aurindo?

Enter Anthenor.
Ant.
No, pray what?

Ol.
Why he's apprehended
at Erminia's, and presently to dye;
the Scaffold's already set up for him,
but you must say nothing.

Aut.
That's understood,
now am I bound to tell it the next I meet.

Cle.
You keep secrets sweetly,
I'le tell you news another time;
and you make it more then it is too.

Ol.
How wod you have newsmongers live else:

Ant.
O Leontius! have you heard the news
of Aurindo?

Enter Leontius.
Le.
For heavens love, what?

Cle.
I'le tell it.

Ol.
No let me.

They strive.
Ant.
Will you over run me?
why he's apprehended at Erminia's,
and instantly to dye; he's on the scaffold by this.

Cle.
See if he have not added more unto it yet?

Le.
Nay then, 'tis time to discover him,
be th'danger what it will, I'm sure there can
be no more, then there is in the concealing him.

Cle.
Stay, stay, and take the news of the Prince
along with you.

Leo.
I thank you, I have no leasure to hear it now.

Cleo.
I'le tell it you then.

An.
Pardon me, I must be gone too.

Exit.
Ol.
And I'le to the Presence with my news.

Exit.
Cle.
She gone too! now am I in no less
pain then I was before for some body to tell
the rest of my news to;
thus do's she serve me still
when I trust her with any, all women are leaking vessels,
and can hold nothing, God help them.
But of all commend me to her.

Exit.

Scena 8.

Erminia, Althea, the Prince following.
Er.
Althea stay you here, and when the Prince
comes, direct him into my Cabinet, but
without light be sure; I'le in and see
all the lights extinguisht there.

Exit.
Alt.
I, hide you, do,
cast clouds of night upon your faults, and you
fast as you hide them, I'le bring them unto light;
and what you seek to keep secret I'le proclaim,
till to all the world I've published your shame.—
Enter Prince.
Oh my Lord, y'ar welcom, my Lady expects you
there within, you need no light,
love can finde the way best in the dark.

Pr.
With thy good directions Althea,
there's somewhat for thy pains.

Alt.
And there's her Cabinet.

Pr.
Now to reap the long expected fruit
of all my happiness.

Exit.
Alt.
Send you a good harvest of it,
I'le send you sickles enow presently
to help you, and those will help too, to fetch
it in for you.—Aurindo! and the Prince too!
she might have left me one of them at least,
but I'le fit her for it.

Scena, 9.

Cleander, Amynter, following.
Clea.
Wod I'd never imbarkt my self upon
this perillous sea, where 'tis dishonour to
go back, and assured ruine to go on;
to discover me now, every one wod laugh at me;
and to conceal me longer, I shud run
such desperat hazard, 'tis horror to think upon—
To marry so soon a second husband, e're
the funeral rites and obsequies of the first
are celebrate, no blacks, no mourning, my
memory like a shadow gone with my self;
her grief for me not half so durable
as other widdows watry colour'd ones,
which onely a tear or two can wash away;
is this her love of me? then farewel all
my love of her; 'tis sign the Prince and she
have liv'd before in close adultery,
and will do so agen unless she dye;
nor less h'ad known it formerly, cod he
finde the way now so readily to her bed;
since I am dead to her then, she shall be so to me;
and the hour of her marriage
shall be her hour of death;
these hands shall kill her, these eyes shall see her dead,
though this heart of mine burst at the sight of it,
mine honor's ingag'd, & I'm resolv'd.

Exiturus.
Am.
Now friend,
Enter Amynter.
whither away so fast?

Cle.
Pardon me, I have
no leasure to tell you now.

Exit.
Am.
There is some mystery in this haste of his,
and's great thoughts labour with some
mighty birth.—
On what a turbulent sea has his jealousie
embarkt him? and so embroil'd him as
without miracle he can never disimbroil himself agen;
and if this be the fate of marriage to be in hell,
of loathing, if their wives be foul;
and if fair, in purgatory of jealousie;
marry who's list for me.

Scena, 10.

The Duchess, Duke, Althea, Amynter, &c.
Duc.
Where's this great Commandress of all hearts?
commands as absolutely as fate it self;
this tyrant beauty, that needs onely say,
render your hearts, and all hearts must obey,
I long to see her, let some seek out the boy,
I'le seek out her my self.

Enter Duke.
Duk.
Where's this curious Lady?
in whose nice bosom no flowers must be worn,
but fresh and blooming buds;
others as overblown
and canker-eaten, she rejects and scorns.

Duc.
Where is her chamber?

Alt.
There.

Duc.
What, hoa within there? open the door,
or else we'l break it op'.

(knocks.
Duk.
Where is this newly married pair?
let them appear, we come to wish them joy.

Scena, 11.

The Prince, Cyrena vail'd, Cleander the other way.
Pr.
Who's that that knocks so rudely? ha! the
Duke and Duchess; no matter, fear not,
fear not my Erminia, for now th'art mine.

Duc.
Shame of thy honour, a Prince, and own
a base ignoble strumpet for thy wife!

Clea.
Now now,—how's this?

Cy.
I am nor base, nor strumpet,
but as great a Princess as your self,
Princess of Argos.

Draws to kill them when she unveils.
Enter Leontius.
Pr.
Ha! Cyrena!

Duc.
And Aurindo she! how was I deceiv'd?

Leo.
The Princess already discover'd!

Clea.
Now all of the boy is clear,
but that the news of my death shud strike her no more.—

Am.
Thunder cod not have more
struck her you saw, till I assured her
'twas false, and onely invented to deceive her,
when she to assist the Princess in her love
turn'd the deceit on them.

Clea.
Enough, enough,
now all have cast off their vizards,
'tis time to cast off mine, I'le instantly go
and discover my self unto her.

Exit.
Alt.
Whither goes the Moor in such haste I
wonder?
I'le after him and see.

Exit.
Pr.
Wonder and amazement seizes me!

Cy.
Wonder not Prince,
nor admire your Page shud turn your handmaid now,
this is the least miracle that love can do;
I am that Cyrena you promis'd marriage to
at Argos, who have hither to Missena follow'd you
to claim your promise which now y'ave anew confirm'd.

Pr.
Miracle of constancy!
compar'd with your goodness,
my ill appears so great, methinks
no penance can be great enough for expiating it.

Cy.
This shall be all your penance, and this.

(Embraces him.
Pr.
And this is the onely one that I desire.

Duc.
Now Madam I hope you'l pardon me,
for putting you to the proof and declaration of
your sex, which I suspected through your disguise,

Cy.
There needs no pardon Madam;
where the offence was to Aurindo, not to me.

Enter Althea.
Duk.
But where's Erminia all this while,
the great Architectress of all this plot?

Alt.
For her you shall finde her there within,
in the Moors arms straitly embrac't, (my Lord)
and by this time perhaps in bed together too.

Duc.
Was ever a more lascivious strumpet?

Duk.
Where are our Guards?
go fetch her hither strait
with her fair Paramour; so foul an act as this
deserves a publick shame and punishment,
however in private done.

Cy.
Erminia thus dishonour her self! or honour
with justice is fled to heaven, and there
is none on earth, or else all this is false.

Scena, 12.

Cleander, Erminia guarded, Amynter, Clinias, Cleobulo, &c.
Duk.
Bring them away, is this the honourable
Lady, nothing cod dishonour her
above temptation, above suspect?—
no body to serve her lust but a Moor, a slave!
& one fittest she thought to conceal her shame,
'cause mute and dumb!
but here are enow beside to publish it;
away with her, & to the gallows with that slave.

Cli., Cleo.
I, hang him, hang him.

Clea.
Stay, rather then her fame shall suffer,
the mute shal speak, & more to evince the miracle
and declare her innocence,
the Ethiope shall turn white.

Alt.
Cleander!

(Discovers himself.
Cli.
My Lord, there's none rejoyces more
then my fellow & I, for this your metamorphose,
we had as lief see the devil, as see your black face.

Cleo.
We had rather a great deal have you
our master then our fellow servant,
you don't beat us half so much.

Duk.
Noble Cleander I must demand your pardon
for trying Erminia's constancy in your absence,
assure your self 'twas done with good intent.

Cle.
I shall believe it, and considering
the prosperous estate I've left your affairs in, I
hope your Highness will easily pardon my return
from Attica without your licence.

Duk.
I do, and wish you
all happiness with your fair and vertuous wife.

Pri.
And I the like.

Cle.
I humbly thank your Highness, and desire
to be no longer happy then my friend Amynter
may be so with me.

Er.
For you Althea (another time
whent't may'nt appear revenge as it wod now)
I shall intreat you seek another service.

Alt.
With all my heart,
& I hope your Highness then will entertain me.

Duc.
Not I; you who wod be false to her,
will never be true to me.

Alt.
Well, my comfort is,
though there are no services,
yet there are trades enow.

Exit.
Clea.
Oh my dear Erminia!
here let me ever rest.

Er.
And as I gladly receive you here
as the long parcht up earth
do's long'd for showres of rain.

Cy.
Think not Cleander
so wholly to possess your Erminia,
I shall alwayes claim a friends part in her.

Cle.
She is all yours Madam.
(Embraces her.
as I also, in being wholly hers.

Duk.
Here then ends our jealousie,
since Erminia's vertue renders me (I'm sure)
as free from suspect as Aurindo's sex do's you;
but why differ we longer to celebrate
these happy Nuptials that unite our States,
by th'Accession of Argos to Missena, and
of all Greece now makes it the happiest Land.

Clea.
Mean time my dear Erminia thy name
shall be so celebrous in the mouth of Fame,
that as often as 'twod praise any one;
for Beauty and Vertue it shall onely say,
th'are like the fair and vertuous Erminia.