 | The Siege of Constantinople |  |
SCENE. The Chancellours House.
Enter Andrea, Lionello, Souldiers poyson'd—doing mad things; some Cuffing, some Singing.
Enter Chancellour, Irene above.
Chanc.
Observe this sight, you'l say I am in earnest,
When I declare I mean to make you Queen.
Iren.
What, you have made the Ruffians Drunk, 'it seems!
Chanc.
Aye, Dead Drunk; pray mark'em Madam.
Lion.
To be poyson'd thus! to be sent out of the World like
A Rat, by a Politick Whoremaster.—Oh—oh—
Andr.
Was this the double Dose the Devil meant?
Sure 'twas a Cup of Wild-fire mixt in Hell.
Such Drink as this wou'd make Damnation double.
1 Sould.
Pray, pray Captain! Good Captain let's to pray'rs.
Andr.
It is too late for pray'rs—ten thousand Devils
Are in my Entrals, tearing out my Soul.
Water! Water! to quench this Hellish Fire.
Omn.
Water, Water, Water, &c.
Andr.
See Lionello! See, the Devil's there.
Lion.
Where? Where? I see him grinning now i'th' Shape
O'th' Chancellour.
Andr.
Look! how he Laughs and Snickers; Ha, ha, ha,
A Woman-Devil too—there's Whores in Hell.
Lion.
Aye, Whores! abundance!
Andr.
Let me have one then;
They're Coolers Lionello! Excellent Coolers,
And I'm exceeding Hot.
Chanc.
Ha, ha, ha; what Crotchets come into their dying Pates?
Iren.
How, dying Sir! in this Dispairing State!
Chanc.
Yes truly, Madam, I take care they shan't
Spoil your Advancement by their future Prating.
Iren.
I've heard and seen too much, and will no more.
Ex. Irene.
Andr.
A VVhore! a thousand VVhores, good Lucifer,
For our Great Chancellour! Some VVhores, I say.
Lion.
I'le Pimp no more for him! I'le see him first:
Let him be Flog'd, let him be Flog'd. VVhips, VVhips,
Let him have VVhips of Fire to Lash his Soul.
Andr.
The Stinking Lord grows dry, and needs VVhips;
Then lend me one, good Devil, I will tear him.
Mich.
My Lord!
Enter Michael with Letters.
These Letters come from Synan Basla.
Chanc.
See there! the Christian Slaves are paid their VVages.
Lion.
Give me my Gold, give me my Gold, Gold, Gold;
I'le Rob the Church no more else. Give me Gold.
Andr.
Aye, give me Gold! I'le pay my VVhores most bravely,
She shall wear Smocks well Lac'd.
2 Sould.
Oh Heaven!
1 Sould.
If there be Heav'n!
VVhich is the way, good Captain; I'le go thither.
Andr.
Right before your Nose.
All die.
Chanc.
O Heav'ns! my Daughter, and Udoxia both,
Are in the Turkish Camp—surpriz'd by these
In a mistake. Ten thousand Torments more
VVrack your Bodies here, and Souls hereafter.
Lion.
VVhat Screech-Owl's that? ha! what a sight is this?
Then I am dying too! My Lord, look down,
All these lost Souls will be requir'd of you;
They will, my Lord; and I can this foretel,
I'th' midst of all your hopes you will find Death,
By Tortures worse than ours. Some Mercy Heav'n.
Dies.
Chanc.
Hell take thee for thy News; it meets an hour
Of such Calamity, it makes Impression;
See that their Bodies safely are bestow'd.
Ex. Michael.
VVould I had ne're begun to be thus ill,
It had been better much. Then I'd best change!
But how? I am gone too far to do that safely:
Then farewel Virtue, since it is too late,
By Ills on Ills I'le 'mount above my Fate.
Exit.
Enter Emperor, Thomazo, Theop. and Attendants.
Noise of a Storm.
Emp.
This is Prodigious! 20 great Ships
To Sail o're Land eight Miles, this threatens more
Than all they did before.
Thom.
This Storm was made
Only t'amuse us whilst they lodg'd the Ships
Above the Chain; So to Besiege us round
And cut off all Relief.
Emp.
That they'l now do;
Never 'till now we truly found the want
O'th' Christian Ships I order'd to be stopt;
There was some Practice, which I shall find out,
Procur'd that disobedience to those orders;
All I find guilty certainly shall dye for't.
Theop.
He that advis'd their Sayling must be one then.
Emp.
I do suspect him most, but yet I can't
Safely, without clear proof, Arrest his Person;
The Senate would Resent it if I did.
Thom.
My Lord, No news o'th' Souldiers, or your Daughter?
Theop.
No, none at all.
Thom.
Surely they have convey'd 'em to the Turk?
Emp.
I fear that most—But come, Let's go to Council.
Thom.
Council may Cure the State; but cannot me:
This Loss foretels my endless Misery.
Exeunt.
Enter Chancellor, Lorenzo, Boy.
Loren.
Thomazo makes the Guards so Vigilant,
Her least Resistance, Sir, would Ruine all.
Chan.
Then She must be deluded by this Boy!
Think you he'll do't well?
Loren.
Ne're doubt, my Lord,
He is by Nature fram'd for Roguery.
Chan.
Instruct him well; But to avoid detection,
Send him along with her—I must to Council.
My pretty Child, Do what Lorenzo bids thee
And thou shalt have my Favour.
Exit Chanc.
Loren.
Come Kecko—
Exeunt Lor. Boy.
Enter Irene Sola.
What a sad life is this to be confin'd
From Friends, or sight of any Humane Creature,
But Cruel, unrelenting Murderers;
And ne're to change this Goal but for a worse:
A Sultaness—a Strumpet—Ah Thomazo,
Hadst thou been true, this Mischief ne're had happen'd.
A Song without, after which Kecko comes in Playing.
Young Adonis was her joy;
He once lept from off her Knee
To hunt and take an Humble-Bee.
Then the Bagg to her did bring,
She sigh'd, and askt him for the Sting.
Drop a Tear, he strait did cry,
Oh! forgive me, I will bring
A bigger and a longer Sting.
Smiling, she cry'd, pretty Lad,
When that time comes, I'le be glad.
Irene.
I see there still is left some Innocence
To keep the World from sinking. Pretty Boy,
Which way did'st thou get in?
Kecko.
I'le shew you Madam.
Irene.
This Child may prove an Angel-Guardian to me.
Exeunt.
Enter Emperor, Thomazo, Cardinal, Chancellor, Theoph. as from Councel.
Emp.
This Insolence o'th' Souldiers so debated
By the Senate first, and now by us in Councel,
Does spend that time might better be employed
For the safety of the whole,—first let the Senate
Provide but Mony speedily to pay them,
Strickt Discipline will follow that of course.
Chanc.
Your Majesty however may consider
That these Debates are not without all cause,
I wish to Heav'n they were, with Tears I speak,
To have our Children ravish'd from our Armes;
Nay, torn from Altars in despite to Heav'n,
And all things, Sacred Law, Nature, and Religion,
To be made Prostitutes to their vile Lusts!
To have a Lord o'th' Senate and the Councel,
Convey'd away and Murther'd; This brave Prince,
Forc'd to defend his Sacred Person daily
By his own Courage, 'gainst their Insolence,
Not to speak of Prisons broke, or rescues made,
And all the lesser mischiefs hourly done!
If this be not worth a Senates grave advice,
What can be Sir?
Theoph.
My good Lord Chancellor,
I do believe all men will think my griefs
Must equal be to yours, the cause being so,
I'am sure this wretched Life I would give up
To see my Daughter and her honour safe:
But yet I think her yours, and hundreds more
Not worth the time we vainly spend about them:
My Lord, by your advice amongst the rest
The Empire lies at stake: first think of that,
And mony 'tis, if any thing can save it,
All Councels that retard that, scarce are honest.
Chanc.
Honest! 'twas scarce well, said the Senate sitting,
I'm sure of that, for they're of other minds,
And 'tis but fit we wait their Resolutions.
Card.
Certainly your Majesty cannot do better
Then follow their advice; they're the great Council,
They represent the whole, what they conclude,
You may without th'least fear of blame pursue.
Emp.
Blame! my Lord Cardinal, you are not my subject,
And so perhaps do erre through Ignorance;
But good my Lord, learn this,—I give account
To none but Heav'n for any thing I do:
I take advice 'tis true, but still am free
To act as I see cause,—Council does cease
To wear that name when it can be Coercive;
So know my Lord, I fear no Earthly blame,
No, not the Popes. Then use some other word.
Card.
Sir, I ask Pardon if that word offended,
I can be sorry too, but yet that shan't
Make me neglect my Duty to the Pope,
Whom you were pleas'd to name with too much heed;
As I conceive, I have no bus'ness here,
Except you think his Holiness on Earth,
Heaven's Deligate.
Emp.
In Heavenly things I do;
In Earthly, though he has no more Dominions
Than what our Royal Predecessor gave him;
And if he seeks more here, 'tis Labour lost.
Thom.
I'm glad his Eminence hears this Truth
From your own Sacred Mouth; he still believ'd
None but my self durst boldly urge the Point,
My Enemies I'm sure made him believe so.
Chanc.
Your Highness I'm afraid mistakes your friends,
Your best and truest Friends, for Enemies;
I humbly am afraid, I say, you do;
For I believe there's not a Grecian breaths,
But does admire you justly for your Virtues,
Your sollid Prudence, Constancy and Vallour.
Thom.
Spend not your breath my Lord, in long harangs
Of me, for all you can say, wont
Make my Opinion jump with yours
In your this Dayes debates.—
Emp.
No certainly,
To urge the stop o'th' Empires main concern
For private Grievances, as if you did
Design the Turk shou'd win it,—this is Truth.
Chanc.
I'm sorry that your Majesty thinks so;
But I have hopes the Senate yet will clear me.
Thom.
Those hopes are Insolent! I said it Lord—
Chanc.
I hope, my Lord, my candid Actions will
Set me in former favour with my Prince,
And clear to all the World my Innocence;
So humbly begging Pardon, I'le retire.
Exit Chan.
Card.
I wish your Majesty may do the best.
Exit Card.
Theop.
This Chancellor, your Majesty does find,
Disturbs, if not betrays your weightyest Councils.
Emp.
He plainly does them both; yet at this juncture
It is not safe to take the Seals away,
For fear the Senate think their love to him
Does move me to it.
Thom.
Let him keep them,
Without the Princes favour those are useless.
But Sir, the time requires, that with resolves
Becoming Majesty, you press the Senate
For speedy Aid, and till that's done, command
That no debate beside be enter'd on.
Emp.
No Emperor, ever Raign'd, had a less mind
To place harsh Rules on Councils than my self;
The Freedom of Debates should be preserv'd
If it were possible in every Council,
Much more in that of highest Dignity;
If not in time we ne're should hear the Truth,
As these common Rules must be laid by;
New Exigents must make new Presidents,
And ignorance only still Cries out for old.
Thom.
Sir, your affairs are at the last extream;
The Senate if they please may help you much;
And I am confident the major part
Wou'd singly quit their lives to do you service;
That which prevents them, are some subtle heads,
By specious doubts and questions puzle them.
Your Resolution must undo this Charm.
Emp.
Brother, in this I do concur with you,
Nothing but their extreams shall make me so,
They'l either guide or force all I shall do.
Exeunt.
Enter Andrea, Lionello, Souldiers poyson'd—doing mad things; some Cuffing, some Singing.
Enter Chancellour, Irene above.
Chanc.
Observe this sight, you'l say I am in earnest,
When I declare I mean to make you Queen.
Iren.
What, you have made the Ruffians Drunk, 'it seems!
Chanc.
Aye, Dead Drunk; pray mark'em Madam.
Lion.
To be poyson'd thus! to be sent out of the World like
A Rat, by a Politick Whoremaster.—Oh—oh—
Andr.
Was this the double Dose the Devil meant?
Sure 'twas a Cup of Wild-fire mixt in Hell.
Such Drink as this wou'd make Damnation double.
1 Sould.
Pray, pray Captain! Good Captain let's to pray'rs.
Andr.
It is too late for pray'rs—ten thousand Devils
Are in my Entrals, tearing out my Soul.
Water! Water! to quench this Hellish Fire.
Omn.
Water, Water, Water, &c.
Andr.
See Lionello! See, the Devil's there.
Lion.
Where? Where? I see him grinning now i'th' Shape
O'th' Chancellour.
Andr.
Look! how he Laughs and Snickers; Ha, ha, ha,
A Woman-Devil too—there's Whores in Hell.
Lion.
Aye, Whores! abundance!
Andr.
Let me have one then;
They're Coolers Lionello! Excellent Coolers,
44
Chanc.
Ha, ha, ha; what Crotchets come into their dying Pates?
Iren.
How, dying Sir! in this Dispairing State!
Chanc.
Yes truly, Madam, I take care they shan't
Spoil your Advancement by their future Prating.
Iren.
I've heard and seen too much, and will no more.
Ex. Irene.
Andr.
A VVhore! a thousand VVhores, good Lucifer,
For our Great Chancellour! Some VVhores, I say.
Lion.
I'le Pimp no more for him! I'le see him first:
Let him be Flog'd, let him be Flog'd. VVhips, VVhips,
Let him have VVhips of Fire to Lash his Soul.
Andr.
The Stinking Lord grows dry, and needs VVhips;
Then lend me one, good Devil, I will tear him.
Mich.
My Lord!
Enter Michael with Letters.
These Letters come from Synan Basla.
Chanc.
See there! the Christian Slaves are paid their VVages.
Lion.
Give me my Gold, give me my Gold, Gold, Gold;
I'le Rob the Church no more else. Give me Gold.
Andr.
Aye, give me Gold! I'le pay my VVhores most bravely,
She shall wear Smocks well Lac'd.
2 Sould.
Oh Heaven!
1 Sould.
If there be Heav'n!
VVhich is the way, good Captain; I'le go thither.
Andr.
Right before your Nose.
All die.
Chanc.
O Heav'ns! my Daughter, and Udoxia both,
Are in the Turkish Camp—surpriz'd by these
In a mistake. Ten thousand Torments more
VVrack your Bodies here, and Souls hereafter.
Lion.
VVhat Screech-Owl's that? ha! what a sight is this?
Then I am dying too! My Lord, look down,
All these lost Souls will be requir'd of you;
They will, my Lord; and I can this foretel,
I'th' midst of all your hopes you will find Death,
By Tortures worse than ours. Some Mercy Heav'n.
Dies.
Chanc.
Hell take thee for thy News; it meets an hour
Of such Calamity, it makes Impression;
See that their Bodies safely are bestow'd.
Ex. Michael.
VVould I had ne're begun to be thus ill,
45
But how? I am gone too far to do that safely:
Then farewel Virtue, since it is too late,
By Ills on Ills I'le 'mount above my Fate.
Exit.
Enter Emperor, Thomazo, Theop. and Attendants.
Noise of a Storm.
Emp.
This is Prodigious! 20 great Ships
To Sail o're Land eight Miles, this threatens more
Than all they did before.
Thom.
This Storm was made
Only t'amuse us whilst they lodg'd the Ships
Above the Chain; So to Besiege us round
And cut off all Relief.
Emp.
That they'l now do;
Never 'till now we truly found the want
O'th' Christian Ships I order'd to be stopt;
There was some Practice, which I shall find out,
Procur'd that disobedience to those orders;
All I find guilty certainly shall dye for't.
Theop.
He that advis'd their Sayling must be one then.
Emp.
I do suspect him most, but yet I can't
Safely, without clear proof, Arrest his Person;
The Senate would Resent it if I did.
Thom.
My Lord, No news o'th' Souldiers, or your Daughter?
Theop.
No, none at all.
Thom.
Surely they have convey'd 'em to the Turk?
Emp.
I fear that most—But come, Let's go to Council.
Thom.
Council may Cure the State; but cannot me:
This Loss foretels my endless Misery.
Exeunt.
Enter Chancellor, Lorenzo, Boy.
Loren.
Thomazo makes the Guards so Vigilant,
Her least Resistance, Sir, would Ruine all.
Chan.
Then She must be deluded by this Boy!
Think you he'll do't well?
Loren.
Ne're doubt, my Lord,
He is by Nature fram'd for Roguery.
Chan.
Instruct him well; But to avoid detection,
Send him along with her—I must to Council.
46
And thou shalt have my Favour.
Exit Chanc.
Loren.
Come Kecko—
Exeunt Lor. Boy.
Enter Irene Sola.
What a sad life is this to be confin'd
From Friends, or sight of any Humane Creature,
But Cruel, unrelenting Murderers;
And ne're to change this Goal but for a worse:
A Sultaness—a Strumpet—Ah Thomazo,
Hadst thou been true, this Mischief ne're had happen'd.
A Song without, after which Kecko comes in Playing.
[1.]
Venus chanc'd to Love a Boy,Young Adonis was her joy;
He once lept from off her Knee
To hunt and take an Humble-Bee.
Then the Bagg to her did bring,
She sigh'd, and askt him for the Sting.
2.
When he look'd on, saw her EyeDrop a Tear, he strait did cry,
Oh! forgive me, I will bring
A bigger and a longer Sting.
Smiling, she cry'd, pretty Lad,
When that time comes, I'le be glad.
Irene.
I see there still is left some Innocence
To keep the World from sinking. Pretty Boy,
Which way did'st thou get in?
Kecko.
I'le shew you Madam.
Irene.
This Child may prove an Angel-Guardian to me.
Exeunt.
47
Emp.
This Insolence o'th' Souldiers so debated
By the Senate first, and now by us in Councel,
Does spend that time might better be employed
For the safety of the whole,—first let the Senate
Provide but Mony speedily to pay them,
Strickt Discipline will follow that of course.
Chanc.
Your Majesty however may consider
That these Debates are not without all cause,
I wish to Heav'n they were, with Tears I speak,
To have our Children ravish'd from our Armes;
Nay, torn from Altars in despite to Heav'n,
And all things, Sacred Law, Nature, and Religion,
To be made Prostitutes to their vile Lusts!
To have a Lord o'th' Senate and the Councel,
Convey'd away and Murther'd; This brave Prince,
Forc'd to defend his Sacred Person daily
By his own Courage, 'gainst their Insolence,
Not to speak of Prisons broke, or rescues made,
And all the lesser mischiefs hourly done!
If this be not worth a Senates grave advice,
What can be Sir?
Theoph.
My good Lord Chancellor,
I do believe all men will think my griefs
Must equal be to yours, the cause being so,
I'am sure this wretched Life I would give up
To see my Daughter and her honour safe:
But yet I think her yours, and hundreds more
Not worth the time we vainly spend about them:
My Lord, by your advice amongst the rest
The Empire lies at stake: first think of that,
And mony 'tis, if any thing can save it,
All Councels that retard that, scarce are honest.
Chanc.
Honest! 'twas scarce well, said the Senate sitting,
I'm sure of that, for they're of other minds,
48
Card.
Certainly your Majesty cannot do better
Then follow their advice; they're the great Council,
They represent the whole, what they conclude,
You may without th'least fear of blame pursue.
Emp.
Blame! my Lord Cardinal, you are not my subject,
And so perhaps do erre through Ignorance;
But good my Lord, learn this,—I give account
To none but Heav'n for any thing I do:
I take advice 'tis true, but still am free
To act as I see cause,—Council does cease
To wear that name when it can be Coercive;
So know my Lord, I fear no Earthly blame,
No, not the Popes. Then use some other word.
Card.
Sir, I ask Pardon if that word offended,
I can be sorry too, but yet that shan't
Make me neglect my Duty to the Pope,
Whom you were pleas'd to name with too much heed;
As I conceive, I have no bus'ness here,
Except you think his Holiness on Earth,
Heaven's Deligate.
Emp.
In Heavenly things I do;
In Earthly, though he has no more Dominions
Than what our Royal Predecessor gave him;
And if he seeks more here, 'tis Labour lost.
Thom.
I'm glad his Eminence hears this Truth
From your own Sacred Mouth; he still believ'd
None but my self durst boldly urge the Point,
My Enemies I'm sure made him believe so.
Chanc.
Your Highness I'm afraid mistakes your friends,
Your best and truest Friends, for Enemies;
I humbly am afraid, I say, you do;
For I believe there's not a Grecian breaths,
But does admire you justly for your Virtues,
Your sollid Prudence, Constancy and Vallour.
Thom.
Spend not your breath my Lord, in long harangs
Of me, for all you can say, wont
Make my Opinion jump with yours
49
Emp.
No certainly,
To urge the stop o'th' Empires main concern
For private Grievances, as if you did
Design the Turk shou'd win it,—this is Truth.
Chanc.
I'm sorry that your Majesty thinks so;
But I have hopes the Senate yet will clear me.
Thom.
Those hopes are Insolent! I said it Lord—
Chanc.
I hope, my Lord, my candid Actions will
Set me in former favour with my Prince,
And clear to all the World my Innocence;
So humbly begging Pardon, I'le retire.
Exit Chan.
Card.
I wish your Majesty may do the best.
Exit Card.
Theop.
This Chancellor, your Majesty does find,
Disturbs, if not betrays your weightyest Councils.
Emp.
He plainly does them both; yet at this juncture
It is not safe to take the Seals away,
For fear the Senate think their love to him
Does move me to it.
Thom.
Let him keep them,
Without the Princes favour those are useless.
But Sir, the time requires, that with resolves
Becoming Majesty, you press the Senate
For speedy Aid, and till that's done, command
That no debate beside be enter'd on.
Emp.
No Emperor, ever Raign'd, had a less mind
To place harsh Rules on Councils than my self;
The Freedom of Debates should be preserv'd
If it were possible in every Council,
Much more in that of highest Dignity;
If not in time we ne're should hear the Truth,
As these common Rules must be laid by;
New Exigents must make new Presidents,
And ignorance only still Cries out for old.
Thom.
Sir, your affairs are at the last extream;
The Senate if they please may help you much;
And I am confident the major part
Wou'd singly quit their lives to do you service;
50
By specious doubts and questions puzle them.
Your Resolution must undo this Charm.
Emp.
Brother, in this I do concur with you,
Nothing but their extreams shall make me so,
They'l either guide or force all I shall do.
Exeunt.
| The Siege of Constantinople | |