University of Virginia Library

ACT. II.

SCEN. I.

Enter Emilius, Hersilia, Marcellina, and Verginia vail'd.
Emil.
Welcome my sweet, my dear Verginia;
Off with this cloud, in thy own brightness shine,
And let my longing eyes twist rayes with thine;
All my decaying joyes grow warm, and bring
A heat which thaws me into youth agin.

Ver.
Are you my Father Sir?

Emil.
I am, sweet Innocence; and richer in that title
By Natures gift, then he that by his fame
Of his own Countrey gains a Fathers name.

Ver.
Your pardon Sir, that I seem amaz'd,
I never saw a man before.

Her.
Pray Sir give us leave
To have a little share in her enjoyment;
Dearest Sister, you look amaz'd or troubled.

[Embraces her.
Ver.
Pardon me dear Sister, if you finde
Some small disturbance hang about my minde;
To be thus soon from a devotion brought,
Not more by precept then by custom taught.

Mar.
Dear Cousin, so much kindness yet express
As to take pleasure in our happiness.

Ver.
'Twere want of true Religion not to know
Some joy in so much goodness which you shew.

Emil.
My dear Verginia,
I have found out a man to make thee happy,
Whose vertues, and whose fortunes shall contend
Which are the greatest, both without an end.

Ver.
What does my Father mean?

Emil.
Come Verginia, company troubles thee I see,
Be not amaz'd; I must be fond of thee,
To wean thee from thy self, till thou sha't finde
No room but for content within thy minde.

[Exeunt.
[Manet Hersilia, and Marcellina.
Mar.
How fair she is, how full of innocence!
All true content dwells with upractic'd sense.

Her.
O Marcellina!
Though knowledge does beget both joy and love,
Yet vice and sorrow too her issue prove;
Prest with the last the greatest numbers shew;
And the worlds seeming mischief is to know.
—Did you not wonder Marcellina
At the strange distance that was kept so strictly
By Tiridates and Sertorius.

Mar.
I did and was as much amaz'd as you;
I wish no mischief happen, for their looks
Strove with a strange constraint.

Hers.
Prince Tiridates too exprest the same
—Whose gentle temper I have alwayes seen,
Like standing water wearing still one face,
That had no tides to move it from its place.

Mar.
Can you guess the cause?

Her.
Not in the least.

Mar.
I need not ask, it is enough that they are Rivals,
And both love you.

Hers.
Such quarrels still my injury must prove;
Both may deserve, but cannot have my love;
Love cannot like the winde its help convey
To fill two sails, though both are spread one way.

Mar.
D'you love one of them?

Her.
Yes, but not Sertorius:
Though freely I confess my love to thee;
Yet I forgive thy short return to me,
Which seems to violate our friendships laws;
But his ingratitude pleads in thy cause;
Since the acknowledgement wou'd lay a blame
On thy great soul, or on thy cheeks a shame.

Mar.
Be not deceiv'd Hersilia,
I wou'd not make my self so guilty prove,
And like a hidden sin disown my love.

Hers.
Thus his ingratitude the more is shown.

Mar.
By his ingratitude confess your own:
Where does the difference appear to be?
You cannot sigh for him, nor he for me.

Hers.
But you deserve much more then he can do.

Mar.
He merits more then me, he merits you:
Love pleads no cause for the unfortunate,
Choice rules above our pow'r as much as fate:
Love unrewarded may to vertue grow,
But love for love like a design may shew.

Hers.
Sertorius, my revenge not love invites,
And that strict friendship which our souls unites:
Must now our souls affections separate,
And what you love 'tis just that I shou'd hate.

Mar.
What friendship wou'd return my love denyes,
I dare not say I hate whom you despise.

Enter Sulpitius.
Hers.
Peace; Sulpitius;
Let him not see disorder in our looks,
I suspect him.—How amaz'd he seems!

Sulp.
Help fortune now, thou that hast alwayes sent
Thy willing aid to the most confident.
—Madam—

Her.
Sir.

Sulp.
Perhaps your own amazement might be less,
Cou'd I forbear my wonder to express.

Her.
What wonder Sir?

Sulp.
Some wonder must attend a suddain change,
To see Prince Tiridates and Sertorius strange.
So unlike Lovers now they did appear,
That they both seem'd as if they never were.

Hers.
I know not what you mean.

Sulp.
I wish 'twere so, my troubles then might end,
One is my brother, t'other is my friend:
Yet to those titles there is nothing due,
Since they so soon forgot themselves and you.

Her.
You only fancy sure this strange neglect,
They paid to me as much as I expect.

Sul.
I'm sorry that my passion renders me
The severe judge of their inconstancy.

Hers.
Your passion Sir!

Sulp.
Yes mine, so mingled with eternity,
It understood not what they seem'd to be.

Mar.
You speak too like a Rival now to prove
An uncorrupted judge in plea's of love.

Sul.
If I confess the bonds in which I'm ti'd,
Fair Marcellina shou'd not seem to chide;
Since if the just Hersilia pitties me,
I leave Sertorius to her love more free.

Mar.
In such mean paths as couz'ning States-men move,
To walk to greatness, others tread to love:
Both creep upon the strength of fawning lyes,
And on mens blasted fames attempt to rise.

Sulp.
This to me Madam that have alwayes shewn,
A sorrow for your wrong!

Mar.
I know of none,
But those which I receive from your design;
The injury of vertue must be mine.

Sulp.
Vertue by truth receives no injury.

Her.
Truth is ill carried by an enemy;
I'le do my self and them at least this right,
To forbid you to come into my sight.
O Marcellina,
[As going out.
How hard it is my trouble to disguize,
Though I believe not him, I must my eyes.

[Exeunt.
Manet Sulpitius.
Sulp.
What can this mean perhaps they both agree!
To hide their trouble, and to couzen me;
'Twas dull and foolish to betray my flame,
Designs that hit shou'd be as swift as aim.
They shou'd go quicker off; Powder not dry
Does seldom hit, but makes the foul more shie.
Enter Servant.
O Claudius welcome.

Ser.
Have you sped Sir?

Sulp.
Indifferently; but still thy merits
Deserve more then I promis'd: Here, take this,
And still continue constant to my wishes;
I shall need thy further help.

Ser.
You shall not fail to have it Sir.

Sulp.
Meet me an hour hence
Hard by the Flavian Bridge: fail not.

Ser.
You need not Sir repeat commands to me.

Sulp.
Thy rewards shall fall like show'rs upon thee.
[Ex. Serv.
My plots fall short, like darts which rash hands throw
With an ill aim, and have too far to go;
Nor can I long discoveries prevent,
I deal too much among the innocent:
Their tracks are not so soon discern'd that go
Thorow foul paths, as theirs that tread in snow.

[Exit,
Enter Sertorius and Caska.
Sert.
When will Tiridates meet?

Cask.
Presently, Sir; he promis'd to be there as soon as you.
A little farther brings you to the place.

Sert.
He's noble.
Why shou'd it easier prove
To agree more in Virtue than in Love!
Those that are Rivals in their Piety
Are kind, yet all bow to one Deity:
We both have but one Altar and one Flame,
Our Honour, Love and Wishes are the same;
From those fair Springs true Friendship us'd to flow;
But from those Fountains now our Quarrels grow.

Enter Mutius.
Mut.
Noble Sertorius.

Sert.
You mean Sulpitius.

Mut.
I shou'd be glad to see him.

Sert.
Prethee look him.

[Exit with Caska.
Mut.
What's this! I have been better entertain'd:
My Sword has help'd this Man to Victory;
But now it seems there is no use of me:
There may come yet a time—

Enter five or six Veterans.
1.
Brave Mutius.

Mut.
Mighty Plebeians, yours.

1.
A hard time, Mutius.

Mut.
Easie enough for you, brave Veterans;
I take it you are not cloy'd with business.

2.
'Troth we have scarce business for our teeth.

Mut.
Draw 'um then;
Hunger is the worst kind of tooth-ach.

1.
We have been courted Mutius,
Speeches made to us, and call'd the Bulwarks of the Country;
Now we are slighted.

Mut.
Did you intend that for a jest?
I hate a Souldier that is poor and witty;
Wit is the peace of every man; hang it,
A Souldier should be blunt and mutinous.

1.
We shou'd be hang'd then.

Mut.
Not if you'd hang together, puppies.
O the brave days of Julius, when he flew
The Roman Eagles at the stooping World,
And dar'd it like a Lark!

1.
I, I, those were days.

Mut.
Peace is the rust of Minds; brave Souls refine
By great Examples, and with use they shine.
I remember Pharsalia's dreadful Field,
When the first Ranks came to so neer a view,
The Roman Souldiers all each other knew;
In vain the Generals gave their fierce Commands,
The eyes of both the Armies held their hands;
While Brothers gaze, and Fathers Sons behold,
Nature in whispers her fond stories told;
Friends gaz'd on Friends, forgot they were to fight,
And made a halt as shameful as a flight;
When Crastinus advanc'd before the rest,
And struck his Pyle into a Roman breast:
As from one Cloud vast Tempests fill the Skies,
So showr's of Piles from his began to rise:
Had not his great example set us free,
We had been rob'd of that days Victory.

1.
I Captain, our Emperor has shut up Janus Gates,
The World's at peace now.

Mut.
Let him lull in't,
Till he forget the way how to Command;
'Tis a dark Lanthorn in a Princes hand;
'Tis Peace that shines, while he in darkness lives,
Hid by the light which he to others gives.
The Gown-men now by cherish'd Vices thrive;
Virtue is starv'd, or hardly kept alive;
Mischief is fed, while out of Policy
They keep some to betray, and some to lie.

1.
No employment now for Souldiers.

Mut.
You are dull Blockheads when y'are out of pay;
The Souldiers Vices lie another way.
D'ye think that Statesmens kindnesses proceed
From any principles but their own need?
When they'r affraid, they'r wondrous good and free;
But when they'r safe they have no memory.

1.
The Great men swallow all.

Mut.
Mankind upon each others ruines rise
Cowards maintain the brave, and Fools the Wise:
Honour and all Religion bears a price,
But as the rates are set by death and vice.

Enter Sulpitius.
Sulp.
Brave Mutius, never more happily met.

Mut.
That's well; did you not meet Sertorius?

Sulp.
No, why d'ye ask?

Mut.
Nay nothing;
I thought he had been going to keep an Oracle,
He practis'd to stare and swell strangely.

Sulp.
Let him swell and burst, it matters not.
—Who are these, Mutius?

Mut.
Quiet Rogues; they were brave Souldiers.

Sulp.
Have they lost their Spirits?

Mut.
I know not; they are out of practise;
They have been bob'd;
They might be train'd agin perhaps, and enter'd.

Sulp.
This way a little, Mutius; you are my Friend.

Mut.
I wou'd cut any man's throat
That said the contrary.

Sulp.
I must use your Sword, Mutius.

Mut.
Heer it hangs ready, 'tis almost rusty.

Sulp.
Be not startled when I tell you
'Tis against my Brother.

Mut.
Let it be against your Father,
'Tis all one to me.

Sul.
The quarrel is Hersilia.

Mut.
A Woman is the worst that cou'd be.
Are you to fight who shall have her?

Sulp.
That she must only judg.

Mut.
So then, shall we fight to make her sport?
A parcel of such Lovers
Wou'd make excellent pastime in the Amphitheatre:
I had an easier way with my Damsels;
Kind or cruel, they never scap'd me.

Sulp.
Not if you cou'd come at 'um, Mutius.

Mut.
If they were hid in Houses
I made 'um bolt with Fire,
And pitch'd my toils on all sides ready for 'um.

Sul.
Ha—

1.
Noble Mutius, farewel; we'l wait on you
Another time.

Sulp.
Pray let your Friends stay a little.

Mut.
Stay Gentlemen.

Sulp.
Fire a House, Mutius!

Mut.
There's no such way; the coyest then
Will leap into the next mans arms:
I have been thank'd for saving them
Out of the very Fire that I kindled.

Sulp.
They may live to love Hersilia.

[Seems troubled.
Mut.
If we kill 'um, 'tis two to one however
That you'l ne're have her.

Sulp.
Dare these men stick by us?

Mut.
Pay 'um well, and let the business
Be wicked enough; Then never fear 'um.

Sul.
They shall eat gold.

Mut.
'Troth I believe they can digest it too.

Sulp.
Thou hast put wild thoughts into my head:
If I shou'd fall, she crowns their Victory;
Or if Prince Tiridates falls by me,
I must live hated by her. You Pow'rs above,
Let either Death or Life reward my Love.

Mut.
You are troubled, Sir: I did not talk
To save the fighting part: I wou'd serve you in your love
Through greater dangers.

Sulp.
O Mutius, advise me somthing;
My blood and thoughts stand still within my breast;
Reason's asleep, and torments seem at rest.

Mut.
Why I have told you my best stratagem;
If you get her Father's house but fir'd,
Let us alone, we'l help to quench it;
And in the hurry we may get your Mistress;
There's no suspicion waits on such disorders.

Sulp.
Dear Mutius, thou reviv'st my drooping Soul;
There is no other way left probable.
Enter Claudius a Servant.
See Mutius, Fortune seconds thy advice,
Here's one may prove the instrument—walk off.
Claudius, welcome; here I have been short in my Rewards.

[Gives him money.
Cl.
You have been, Sir, too bountiful
To my small services.

Sulp.
I have a business, if thou dar'st attempt it,
Shall treble thy Rewards, and yet leave me thy debtor.

Claud.
Name it Sir, and think it done.

Sulp.
Thou know'st
How unsuccesful I am like to prove;
One Act of thine may help me to Hersilia,
Then think what thy reward shall be.

Cl.
Speak but the thing, Sir.

Sulp.
Presently then in some convenient place
Set fire on thy Master's house; do not wonder,
I'le have those ready that shall quench it quickly;
And in the hurry, under pretence of help,
Bring Hersilia forth at the East-gate,
That looks towards the Tiber;
There I'le wait for her; and by my happiness
Measure thy own Rewards.

Claud.
Whither shall we fly, Sir?

Sulp.
Trouble not thy self, leave that to me:
Dar'st thou do it?

Claud.
When wou'd you have it done, Sir?

Sulp.
Presently, before suspicion can have time to grow.

Claud.
I'le do it Sir; be sure that you wait ready.

Sulp.
Be gone about it, let me see it flame
Before an hour's expir'd: trust to me,
And have no fears.

Claud.
I know an unfrequented room
Fit for my purpose; I'le do it instantly:
Expect me at the East-gate.

[Ex. Claud.
Sulp.
I will not fail.
'Tis done Mutius, 'tis a fire already;
That fellow is a servant to Emilius,
Whom I have made my Slave with Bribes;
He's gone about it: Are your friends prepar'd?

Mut.
Beyond sick men, ready to dye for you.

Sulp.
'Tis well,
I'le place you in your several stations
That she may scape no way:
Then if we can but carry off our plunder.

Mut.
Pish, the fire will have all the enemies,
We shall have none.

Sulp.
Where shall our rendezvouz be?

Mut.
At my house of pleasure
That stands upon the Tiber;
That will be least suspected, because I live
Most in the City: besides, we have the River
To help us to escape if need require.

Sulp.
No better place.—Gentlemen,
Pray observe such orders as my friend Mutius gives you.
He shall have money to reward you
Equal to all your services, and beyond modest wishes.

1., 2.
Doubt us not, Sir, we will be punctual.

Sulp.
Come Mutius, as we go
We will agree on the particulars:
Justice has took away all my compassion;
And when their flames in cruel brightness shine,
I'le smile, since there was none that pittied mine.

[Exeunt.
Enter Sertorius and Caska.
Sert.
Have you plac'd the Horses where I appointed?

Cask.
Yes Sir.

Ser.
I have but one thing more then to enjoyn thee;
If I shou'd fall by Tiridates Sword,
Carry the news thy self unto Hersilia,
And watch her as thou woud'st an Arrow shot
To see whether it hit or no.

Cask.
To what purpose Sir?

Sert.
If she had any pitty for me living,
Her sorrow for me dead, will shew it.

Caska.
But how Sir shou'd I send you word?

Sert.
'Tis true, abundance travel through the Grave;
But there's not one of all the multitude
Will carry more then his own news about him:
Why shou'd things so remote beget such strife
Beyond our knowledge, and beyond our life?
Succession thus some to fond joyes betray,
For whose vain hopes their ruine must make way.

Enter Tiridates.
Cask.
Prince Tiridates Sir.

Sert.
O 'tis well; leave us now Caska,
And watch where I appointed:
If Tiridates comes without me,
Let him receive those helps that I shou'd have.

Cask.
This is a cruel service Sir.

Sert.
Dispute it not.

[Exit. Caska.
Tir.
Your pardon Sertorius that I seem'd thus slow.
I was enforced to make some little stay
To scape Sulpitius; he and Mutius
Were earnest in discourse.

Sert.
May be they are looking us; Mutius is bold,
Nor is that base Sulpitius less then he;
And thus much Tiridates I'le acknowledge,
Had they now met us with their Swords about 'um:
I shou'd with much more pleasure as your friend
Have took my share against 'um.

[Draws.
Tir.
Assisted by Sertorius, I shou'd have been
As sure of conquest as he is now of Victory.
[Draws.
I have one motion only left to make,
He that survives let him go tell Hersilia
That though his Rival in the fatal strife
Was lost in death, yet love out-liv'd his life.

Sert.
I will be just to you; but if I fall,
Carry no news of love; nor me at all;
For I have thought upon't, and finde it vain,
To me no message can come back again.
—So, to our fortunes.

[Fight.
Enter Caska hastily.
Cask.
Hold, hold, as you have honor hold.

Sert.
Ha, Caska, what tempts thee to this folly?

Cask.
The sadest spectacle that ever was:
Emilius house seems almost wrapt in flame;
The noise of people, and the fire encrease.

Sert.
Take heed you do not play the fool.

Cask.
Go but to the place where you appointed me to wait,
And if it be not true, cut me to pieces:
While you doubt,
You but delay to help Hersilia.

Tir.
Can this be true!

Cask.
Or I am more a villain then I was us'd to be.

Sert.
We may believe him. Come Tiridates,
Hersilia's danger now our quarrel ends,
And when she is unsafe we must be friends:
Our actions some fantastick planet guides,
Ill fortune can unite whom good divides.

[Exeunt.