 | Andronicus Comnenius |  |
ACT. III.
SCE. I.
Enter Andronicus Solus.It hits—And now my work's as good as done;
But I must cast more blinds, for fear it be
Too soon discover'd—One would not think how't takes,
That I have added fifty Fryers, to pray
For the curst soul of Manuel—See his revenge
(Good Prince) the people cry—'Twas necessary:
Nothing establish'd Cæsar's statues more,
Than re-erecting those of conquer'd Pompey:
I must yet farther, be their Advocate
For liberty against restrictive Laws,
36
Thus shall I steal the power, and the dull beast
Not dream it lost, until it feel where 'tis;
Then 'twill be time, and not till then, to hew
Th'Imperial Cedar, and stop the peoples mouths
With a few sticks, and chips, 'twill warm their hands,
When t'other is forgot: the dog that fought
To save his Masters wallet, when he could not
Defend it longer, eat for company;
And so will they; If not, necessity
That has no law her self, shall coin one for it;
All things are lawful to their end; That war
Is just, that's necessary; and those Arms religious,
Where a man cannot well be safe without 'um;
Then shall I triumph, when I make the Empire
Shrink at my weight, and truckle under me;
Trample the world, and frighten fate, to feel
A threed so stuborn as to twist her Wheel:
(Enter Steph.
How fares my lov'd Stephanus?
Ste.
As ever,
Your Highness's Vassal.—
And.
Fy my friend, we're one;
How does our friend Basilius?—
Ste.
He's well;
And better imploy'd:—
And.
As how?—
Ste.
He's with his Cousin;
A cunning Sophister that alwaies follow'd
The rising Sun—He now begins to find
It may be lawful; Give him but your hand
He shall be Patriarch, my life, he brings
A Text to make it out.—
And.
So, ply him there;
And put it to him what he thinks, if an oath
Of being true and faithful to Alexius,
Were set on foot—'twould be a handsome cloak:
Ste.
But do more hurt than good; for if you add,
His Successors, as I believe you mean,
37
And.
Why? I shall be his Successor, and then
The oath will reach to me.—
Ste.
That will be nothing,
Nor stand you much in stead; suppose you were
Now Emperor, and 'twere now put about;
You'd find few boggle at it, but such, as could
Do you no hurt—These Oaths are dangerous things,
They conceal enemies, and make no friends;
One will be true enough without it, t'other
Will not regard it; he that's forc'd to take
An oath, streight makes a second, not to keep it:
You're only sure of him, whom by believing
To be what you would have him, you make so:
And.
But yet the greater number will swallow it;
Oaths are the same to them, as rattles to children,
It makes the cheat pass easie—slide as 'twere.
Ste.
Howe're, 'tis ticklish; some Cur or other
May find it out, and bark; and all the rest
Open for company; then we shall have
Nothing but jealousies, distrusts, and fears,
News upon news, Petition on Petition,
Laws, Liberties, Religion, all at stake,
And will be lost, unless these Geese (forsooth)
Cackle and save the Capitol.—
And.
Honest Stephanus
Hugs him.
Ste.
Your actions will be Table-talk; disputed
In Barbers shops, and Bake-houses; each slip
Be made a fault, and every fault a crime;
Then shall your oath be brought upon the rack,
Whether 'twere lawfully imposed; or you,
Capable of receiving it; or if so,
How far it binds; No faith with Tyrants, says one,
With Robbers, another cries; and then how easie
'Twill be to make you one, or both, especially,
When they that give the sentence, make the case,
I leave it to your Highness.—
And.
My best friend;
Hugs him again.
38
Ste.
Keep 'um but moving, they will ne're mind you;
Do you but shake the Tree, they'll pick the Fruit,
And busie enough; but lest (when all is gone)
They should look up to see who 'twas that did it;
You must provide your mask; and of this kind,
None better than Religion—your Highness
Knows how to wear it to the best advantage;
'Tis a rare servant, but a scurvy Master:
And.
Then you think best to let alone the Oath,
At least not press it.—
Ste.
Yes by any means:
You'll find an hundred safer waies.
And.
We'll talk the rest within: these giddy fools
Are hunting out Basilius, and may chance
To light on me too soon:—
Ste.
I wait your Highness.
Exeunt.
SCE. II.
Enter Philo and Citizens.Phil.
How say you my Masters, who shall make the Speech?
So many of us, and not one gifted brother?
2. Cit.
Time was I could have done my part: The Prince
(And no disparagement) might have heard it too.
Phil.
And ne're the wiser—
Aside.
3. Cit.
Troth my Pump is dry:
Phil.
This is your drinking—I have often told you;
1. Cit.
Have but a little patience, yonder's one
Will end the controversie; do but observe
How hard he wrings, and squeezes; somewhat's coming:
Phil.
What? he with that Parenthesis about his mouth?
By no means Gentlemen, 'tis ominous:
What ever comes between't, may be left out.
4. Cit.
I'm satisfy'd—'Tis but a good Speech lost:
Good Master Philo be that Office yours.
39
A Philo, A Philo, Philo, Philo,
Phil.
I, now the matter's mended.
Omnes.
Give't him—Give't him.
Phil.
Well—if I must—what remedy?
They give him the petition
Omnes.
He comes:
Enter Basilius.
Phil.
Save you most worthy Sir—I am commanded
By the Inhabitants, and Citizens
Of this great City, to present you this,
And beg your favour and assistance in't.
(delivers the Roll Basilius reads to himself.
1. Cit.
Hang the rogue how he trowls it out;
2. Cit.
His tongue runs on wheels.
Bas.
In troth my Masters 'tis a noble thing;
And well advis'd: Nay and becoming men
That love their Country: But I'm half afraid
He'll not accept it; He's so humble minded
You'll hardly draw him to't: Howe're I'll try:
Omnes.
We thank your Honour.
1. Cit.
I hope you will prevail.
2. Cit.
I should be sorry else.
5. Cit.
So should I that er'e I set my hand to't.
Enter Andronicus.
Phil.
Stand off—He comes himself:
Long live your Highness.
Omnes.
Long live the Founder of our Liberty:
And.
I thank you Gentlemen, But may I serve you?
Omnes.
Long live the publick Father; Live Andronicus.
Bas.
My Lord, these Gentlemen (both in their own
And friends behalf) have made me promise 'um.
That I'd present you this (delivers the Roll)
Nor must your Highness
Make me denyal; Their request is short:
That you'd be pleas'd to ease Alexius's years,
By bearing half the burden of the Crown:
Nor do I think you will disdain a part,
Though you deserve the whole—And thus of old
The Roman Senate to Marcellus joyn'd,
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A wholesome mixture, where the one brought eyes,
The other hands; This, action, He, advice:
Thus must the body of the Gretian state,
Be wisely temper'd, lest we rue't too late;
And.
What kind of voyce is this I hear? my friends
Either forget, or know not what they ask;
Joynt Emperor!—were there no Treason in't,
I must not hearken to't; who would be clog'd
With gieves, though made of gold; for such are Crowns,
Or stoop to take one up, that knew the weight of't:
Crowns are thick set with cares; for every gem,
An hundred doubts, and troubles; nor are their ermin
More spotted than their fate; whil'st privacy
Lyes low ('tis true) but yet that low, is safe:
Thunder plows up the Hills, when Valleys scape;
And rives tall Cedars, when the Shrubs go free;
Sleep dwells in Cottages, not thrones; content,
In humble cells; whilst greatness is at odds
With every thing; nay, and its self to boot:
Let others grasp at all, and by great pains,
Aspire to greater: Let 'um vex the world,
They but disquiet themselves; he only lives,
That's beneath envy, and above contempt:
Be it enough that I have serv'd my Country
Thus long; That I have freed her from the Yoke,
Broke all her fetters:—You have had my youth;
Let me enjoy my age: 'Twere too severe
To have had one, and yet deny me to'ther.
Phil.
That was well hinted Master. Excellent fox!
(Aside
Omnes.
Andronicus, Andronicus, Long live Andronicus.
5. Cit.
We've brought our selves into a dainty nooze.
1. Cit.
Good Sir perswade him.
Bas.
I must not leave your Highness so:
Whom can Greece think more worthy than your self?
Where should she pay most, but where most is owing?
Let me prevail, my Lord, this day shall be
Writ in a scarlet Text, since hence we date
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And.
'Tis strange my friends that you should preess me thus,
And put my modesty to a blush—Can Greece
So far forget her self? Can Greece (so full
Of able Statesmen) Greece o'reshoot her self?
Who hath bewitcht thee? with what spectacles
Didst thou look on my merit? that th'ast made
So fair a letter in so small a print?
Andronicus deserve a Crown! Alas!
Greece is mistook—I have one foot i'th' Grave,
And can you think it sightly to behold
The other in a Throne—No—Graves, and Thrones,
Hold least proportion;—You say you love me;
Shew't now—and dazle not those eyes agen
Which I thought shut to vanity—I am
Content, and what can Providence add more?
Not that I tell you this as I were lazy,
Or sullen, or refus'd to serve my Country;
Far be it from me; No; we were not born,
To live like Hedgehogs, rowl'd in our own down,
And turn out bristles to all the world besides:
Yet must we dye t'our selves, and so let me,
Whose age may challenge a writ of ease; and crave
Leave of the world to let me mind my Grave.
Omnes.
Andronicus, Andronicus, Long live Andronicus.
Ph.
Tis all in vain to press him now—we'll find
Some other time when he shall not deny us.
Exeunt with a shout. Manet And.
And.
What is this giddy multitude? This beast
Of many heads? This thing Vox populi?
It can do all; As much, or more than Fate,
Raise, and pull down; make, and annihilate;
Yet see! How easie 'tis to cast a gloss
Before those vulgar eyes, those leaden souls
Begotten in a dream;—
Ex traduce:
How natural is it for sire to climb?
And could they think a man; nay more, a Prince;
Born near a Crown, of such a frozen spirit
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Play my Cards handsomely; and though I yield
(As who would not) make 'um believe it is
Through importunity, not my desire;
I'll slip the Vizard first, then let it hang,
Till it fall off, of't self—Thus while they wooe,
I'll have my ends, and they beholding too.
Exit.
SCE. III.
Enter Conto, Lapardas, Ducas.Cont.
Observ'd you not the tumult? I've scarce heard
A fuller cry, I wonder what it means?
La.
Where has your Lordship been? nothing (but Treason)
Is more familiar—'Tis a Petition
To have Andronicus joint Emperor;
Du.
And backt (they say) with 20 thousand hands;
Besides some great ones—But to give him's due,
He has refus'd it; if he ha'n't, I'll swear,
Mamalus was a witch—
Cont.
Why, what of him?
Lap.
His name slipt from me unawares;—Good faith,
He guess'd at this unluckily, long since;
But make no words of't; it may do him wrong.
Cont.
'Tis spoken to a stone; yet troth I'm glad
He has deny'd it; say he should be honest?
Du.
I cannot see his drifts; would he have took it,
He might have had it now, e're it took air;
And we in no condition to prevent it.
La.
What say you if we went and waited on him?
Took notice of the thing, and thankt his vertue?
Cont.
I like it well.—
Du.
Then let us not delay it.
As they are going out they are met, and stopt by Maria, Constantinus, Mamalus.
43
My Lords! well met; but whither—You are posting
Who shall be first to kiss the rising Sun?
L.
No, no, there's nothing in't; Besides, you (Madam)
Know we've his Honour, and his Oath engag'd.
Mar.
Oh! w'hear you have—And yet I'll scarce believe
(Though I have reason to suspect) he'll break 'um.
Du.
There is hope yet: he has refus'd the offer:
Mam.
To make them hotter on't; (good Gentleman)
He's modest, and may chance to want entreaty.
Const.
Perhaps the cry was faint, & weak, there wanted
More Curs to yelp, and Hounds to mouth it out:
It was some time before he join'd with us,
But yet at last you saw—
Mam.
I fear me, more
Than you'll be fairly rid on—Enemies
Are ten times easier kept out, than thrown out:
Mar.
But had this rabble no head? He is too cunning
To trust a giddy multitude—
Const.
They say
It was the City President—
Cont.
Most likely;
He's one that would be great at any rate;
Const.
I, here's the hand, but where's the spring that moves it?
Mam.
The cobweb doth not cover the Spider so,
But I can see him work: This must be old
Basilius, I trace him by his Cousin;
They two, are hand and glove—only, one acts,
What t'other's asham'd to own—That holy men
Must (like the holy Language) be thus read backward.
Mar.
But what would make him do't? I'm sure my Father
Prefer'd him well—
Mam.
But can he make him Patriarch?
You'll say he's dead, and cann't; then blame him not
To strike up interest with him that may;
T'other's forgot—Besides, ambitious men
When they stand still, fancy they're going back;
Thus much, he has already, only tells him
How much more's wanting; and what was a sum
44
Mar.
Prithee Mamalus—Do not draw the Devil
More ugly than he is—
Mam.
Nor you good Madam
Believe him fairer—Don't we know the Tree
By 'ts Fruit? And judge of men, by Actions?
Not fair pretences—You forget our Proverb,
Remember to distrust—This easy faith
Has done more mischief, than it e're did good.
La.
Had we believ'd your words, this had ne're been;
Mam.
As how my leaky Lord?—These bor'd barrels:
Aside.
La.
Nay be not angry man; We are all friends;
And may be free—We'll live and die together.
Mar.
No heats among our selves good Gentlemen:
Andronicus from behind the hangings.
And.
Yonder they are y'faith—I'll stumble on 'um;
Now for a neat disguise, and all's my own;
(A shout within
Mar.
Hark! hark! What's this?—
Mam.
Ev'n the old rout agen;
This will be somewhat at last, or I'm mistaken.
Enter And: as angry, and speaking to some within.
And.
Plague of these fools, and those that set 'um on;
What do they trouble me? Tell 'um I cannot,
Or if I could, I would not; Have they none
To bait but me?—
Mar.
Save your good Majesty.
And.
My friends, and all!—Is this the thanks you give me?
This the reward I have? Who but a madman
Would serve his Country? Who would warm a snake
That knew its nature? For such 'tis to me;
Was't your design when first you call'd me home
To make me miserable, that made you happie?
Who courted you? Did I? No, Heaven knows
'Twas otherwise: If not; you Madam can
Be my Compurgatrix: Nor think it strange
I talk this rate; your ugly jealousie
(As closely as you carry't) is cause enough:
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Before this Lady spake it—Is't my crime
The people's mad? or must my innocence
Suffer, because they know not what they would?
You'll say perhaps I have been offer'd Empire,
But have I took it? That I might have been,
And am not; judge your selves, whether it speaks
My vertue more, or your ingratitude:
Would he that told the peoples heat, had told you
My frosty answer; That had done me right;
But now I see, good deeds are writ in Ice,
And the least groundless jealousie in Steel:
Let me remember once (but to forget it
Ever hereafter) I have serv'd you truly,
Done my self injury to be kind to you,
And wrought my own disquiet, to lighten yours:
You know necessity first made me arm;
And (by what ever's good) there's nothing less
Shall make me keep it up; Then doubt not him
Whom you have try'd—Could you believe I would?
Certain you could not:—
La.
My Lord I'm satisfi'd, and thank your Highness,
You took the pains to do't.—
Conto.
The same am I:
Omnes.
And all of us.—
Mam. skews his lip.
And.
Then pray continue so,
Until you find me otherwise.—
Omnes.
We shall.
Your Highness's—
Exeunt.
And.
Madam, I'll wait on you;
But I must chide you first, you've been unkind;
Good faith you have—Distrust a friend! Nay one,
You knew so long, and might so well command;
I ha'n't deserv'd it:—
Mar.
Good my Lord forgive me,
I lov'd my brother well; and was afraid,
What such a tumult might.—
And.
Hang 'um—D'you think
46
Took so much pains to save—
Mar.
Nay, good my Lord.
And.
I'm yet too low—Th'ast a brave noble soul,
And such as might redeem a perisht world,
But that 'tis done already.—
Mar.
Nay—now—my Lord!
And.
I've done—But shall I never see the noble Cæsar
Your Husband, here—I'm sure the Empire wants him:
Mar.
I would you could; but I'm afraid you wo'nt,
His Ague hath so shaken him in pieces:
And.
I'm sorry for't—(he nere was well together)
(Aside
He has my prayers, and wishes.—
Mar.
Thank your Lordship.
Exeunt.
SCE. IV.
Enter Mannuel, Philo.Man.
But tell me Philo, prithee tell me how
Thou cam'st in this great credit with my Father?
Phil.
Oh Sir! I've been his servant many years;
He bred me from a boy, to what you see;
Trust and employment can do mighty things:
Man.
How gat'st th'in to that trust?—
Phil.
As other men;
By seeming fool, yet such a one, as might be
Fit matter for the Knave; by bearing injuries,
And thanking 'um; at least dissembling,
Till I had power to act a safe revenge.
Man.
Suppose that never came.—
Phil.
Then I forgave 'um.—
Man.
I see th'ast study'd the point; Prithee teach me
Some of those little Arts.—
Phil.
Call you 'um little?
As little as they are, they govern the world.
47
'Tis well 'tis ignorant how little governs it;
But on—
Phil.
Since 'tis your pleasure, I shall—Who would
Grow to an Oak, he must be first a Twig;
Supple, and pliant; bow with every wind;
He's long a growing up, but sure to stand,
When t'other shews his roots—He must speak well
Of all in place; No matter what they are,
It is enough, they're there:
Nature ne're made so great a Beast, but somewhat
Might be said for it—Is the subject dirty?
Wrap't in clean linnen—For example now:
Is he a down-right fool?—Call him good natur'd:
A Babler, sociable: A Railer, witty:
If scoffing, pleasant: if malicious, subtile:
If vitious, affable: if fool-hardy, daring:
If given to Ribaldry, A merry Gentleman:
All noise, a learned man: if he saies nothing,
He thinks the more, and has a working brain:
If impudent, A handsome confidence:
They're very near ally'd, and only differ
I'the success: Is he thick skull'd and stupid?
A modest man, and has an excellent wit,
But an odd art of keeping 't to himself:
What though the Shop be thin? The Warehouse has't:
Has he the Statesmans tread? A wise man no doubt:
If we perceive a River run dark, and slow,
We streight pronounce it deep, and ne're examine
Whether the mud at bottom be the cause:
Is he all Apophthegm? A shrew'd man;
What matter though he want a trifling circumstance
Of Sence and Pertinence; What's that to us?
What hurt 's in all this? do not we call
Our pretty Ladies, civil, obliging women?
And shall we be less modest to their husbands?
Man.
How have I liv'd i'th' dark? I alwaies call'd
A spade, a spade; But now I see, my Knave,'s
Your thriving man.—
48
Believe 'um what you please,
But treat 'um like honest men—T'others so broad;
And what's your Lordship better when yo've don't?
They know't as well as you.—
Man.
Th'art a rare fellow;
Thou that hast this, hast more.—
Phil.
Why troth—not much;
He must swear every thing; and if need be,
Forswear't agen; but still beware, it be
Done with a tenderness: He must own nothing.
Laid by; nor boggle at any thing, cry'd up;
And for his conscience, he must split the hair,
Twixt techy, and prostitute; The one
Flyes in his face, the other makes him cheap;
Lasty; for his Religion (since 'tis necessary
He have a shew at least) chuse't, as men, bells,
By the sound; or we, our Magistrates, by th'poll.
Man.
But does the world do this?
Phil.
How think you Sir?
Do they eat, drink, or sleep?—
Man.
Where ev'r I come
I find it damn'd:—
Phil.
And reason good—The people
May chance to smoak it else—Who first discover'd it,
Put teeth in the Sheeps mouths; you cannot fleece 'um
Now, but they'll bite;—no—he must still decry it;
But to believe himself, not worth his while:
Man.
And dost not thou? what pitty 'tis these parts
Should be thus lost in low, ignoble Arts?
Such little nothings—Leave 'um—I'll preferr thee.
Phil.
Defend me from a lecture. (Aside)
—'Tis no more
Than what my betters have done, and thriv'd by too.
Man.
Yet let me beg thee leave it; what is got
By such base means, is but an empty blaze,
Crackles a while in talk, but quickly gon:
Tis not too late for to be vertuous yet;
What's done already, may have rather been
The vice of thy imployment, than thy nature.
What saist thou man?—
49
I was ne're obstinate.
Man.
Let me instruct thee then—And yet heav'n knows
How much I want my self, yet I may serve
To light a candle to thee, Could'st thou but see
What wertue were, thou would'st prevent my wish;
'Tis a continual Spring, and Harvest both,
Bears fruits, and blossoms, sows and reaps at once,
So quick is the return, and certain too:
And as in equal temperatures, the Pulse
Beat true, & even; so here, she's still the same,
Not swoln with good things, nor cast down with bad;
Free, without cheapness; compos'd without formality;
Calm without dulness; active without weariness;
And in the want of every thing, is all:
How say'st thou Philo? Wilt thou have her, man?
Phil.
No ready money Sir?—Half one, half t'other
Were somewhat like—I hearken to your Lordship.
Man.
Whose are the quiet sleeps, but the vertuous?
Who valiant, but they? (not brutish valour,
But) such as dare die in cold blood:
Who honourable but they? Honour without vertue,
Is what the people pleases, not our own:
Who are religious but they? Without it,
Religion's but a soul without a body,
A painted butterfly, a specious nothing;
Whilst join'd they make a perfect harmony:
This is a vertuous man; Fear, neither drives him,
Nor favour draws aside; He values not
The curled wrinkles of a Tyrants brow;
He's still serene; and tires, as well the wit,
As power of torture, and enjoys 'um too:
Such is his mans-estate; And when old age
Has seiz'd the out-works, he's secure within;
And is so far from wishing youth agen,
He's only sorry that e're he was young:
Come—I must make thee vertuous—Follow me:
Exit.
Phil.
I cannot tell—
(As he is going out Ph. speaks aside)
But I half doubt my self:
One such a Lecture more—And good night Master—
50
(He startles
Had I puling gizard now, 'Twere done:
But—soft, and fair goes far.—
Exit.
SCE. V.
Enter And. Steph. Bas.—(shouts within.)And.
What would you have me do?—
Ste.
Troth, play no longer;
(Pardon the language) They are all agog,
And may do mischief.—
Bas.
If you slip this minute,
You may wait long enough, e're you get another;
If once they settle, all our labour's lost;
They'll understand themselves—Besides, you're gon
Too far, to go no farther:—
And.
You mistake me;
I am resolv'd upon it—What before
Lookt like ambition, Is but safety now;
I only stopt a while, as doubting, whether
'Twere fit t'accept it yet—
Ste.
What said the Lords?
And.
Most satisfy'd; only Mamalus's face
Spake more, than his tongue durst.—
Bas.
Puh, he's but one,
And may be made; at least, be taken off,
By (the old way) preferment, or his head:
Ste.
But there are others, and not least concern'd,
The sober party, that have stakes to lose;
(The age is too refin'd for men to walk
Invisible) They ha'n't been dealt with yet.
Ste.
'Tis one o'th' greatest follies in the world,
For to believe the world wiser than 'tis;
Call me a Junto—They shall do it for you;
You'll ne're want men, until you want Preferment.
51
That were to let 'um see, I needed 'um;
Put a sword in their hands, and make my self
Less than I am; them, more than they should.
Bas.
How will y'avoid it? There is no other way
To fix, and settle; then you'll plead consent;
Nor will it be difficult to bring 'um to't:
The people are like sheep, 'tis better driving
A flock, than one.—
And.
But say they should prove sullen?
Unravle my Title?—
Ste.
You must venture that;
'Tis easie turning 'um to grass agen;
By all means let 'um meet, though they do nothing,
But set the rates of Tripes, and Pudding-pies.
And.
Well, be it so; And now my friend, you may
Rally your rabble-Regiment agen:
Tell 'um—I accept it.
Exit Basilius.
Ste.
I'll secure your Highness,
They shall not squabble for want of work; my self
Has cut out more than they'll make up in hast;
Nor shall their speed be more than we think good;
Whilst, though wisemen propose, fools must debate it:
Shout within.
And.
Now how I love my Genius (hugs him)
Let's keep here,
All will be well enough; And though I cannot
Make the deaf Adder hear, I'll be sure this,
To charm him so, he shall not dare to hiss.
Exeunt.
Shouts within proclaiming Andronicus.
| Andronicus Comnenius | |