University of Virginia Library

ACT. V.

SCE. I.

Enter Stephanus Constantinus.
Ste.
Thus far, my Lord, you're safe;—but one pluck more,
And you may write secure:—

Const.
Nay, that I am,
Is yours;—and singly yours:—but passing what
I cannot name too oft;—let us consider
What must be done:—'twere better dye at once,
Than be thus saw'd in pieces;—Our wounds are
So far from being heal'd, they're hardly clos'd;
Nay (like sick men) we've rather lighted on
A new Physitian, than a remedy.

Ste.
Tis but too true, my Lord;—But tis too late
To spend our selves in womanish complaints;
Tis more than time 'twere don.—

Const.
But who shall do 't?
You know our friends are gon; or what's as bad
(By having lost their eyes) unserviceable.

Ste.
'Tis our advantage:—What we want in numbers,
Will be suppli'd in secrecy; Great designs
(Like wounds) if they take air corrupt;—Besides,
These frequent slaughters make our game; They have
Lost their authority, and rendred him
As cheap, as funerals, a Physitian.
And what is greater than all these—the City
Has ne're a head.

Const.
No?—where's Basilius?

Ste.
He's gon the way of those that oblige Tyrants
Beyond requital;—He's strangled:
And now's our time to strike;—Your Lordship has
Good interest among the Citizens;
And they're just ripe for mischief—I have Agents
Now raising 'um to your hand, and shall be ready
To back you with the Guards; make but a stand,
And all's our own;—Isacius Angelus
Is of the blood, and we'll proclaim him Emperor.

Const.
But he's giv'n up to privacy;—Andronicus
Well knew't, that sufferd him to live so long.

Ste.
I thought as much my self; ere I went to him;
But now, he is so sensible of 's danger,
He catches at any thing—This is our nick;
For (I'm to tell you news) the Empress
Has, (notwithstanding all her brave resolves,)
Giv'n up t'Andronicus—Poor Lady!
It will concern us to be quick—This action,
Will rivet all, unless we crush him now;
Now—while 'tis hott,—Come my Lord—

Exeunt.

SCE. II.

Enter Andronicus Solus.
And.
Mischief of greatness! That has all to fear,
Yet knows not whom to trust; What disperate Rocks
Must it run foul of! when to trust all, or none
Is equally an error, and both fatal:
How am I fool'd!—And by some bosome slave;
But let it pass—'Tis time must work it out:
I have enough at present to sooth the people;
Some crafty Devil has buz'd them in the head
With prophecies (the fond belief of fools,
But now and then the talk of wiser men)
Nothing but murmurs, news, seditious libels,
(The common weapons of unmanly spirits)
It must not be dally'd with;—These hollow blasts,
Bode no fair weather; These imperfect motions,
Shew somewhat's out of frame.

Enter Stephanus.
Ste.
Safety to Cæsar;
The Omen, to his enemies;—

And.
What is't
Can need that preface?—Speak—

Ste.
A fearful comet
Sweeps the air;—

And.
Heav'n, has don us right at last,
And grac'd or triumphs with its bonfires too;
If otherwise; and there be danger in't,
'T'as told its errand, and betray'd its end:
These toys, astonish more, than signify.

Ste.
Nor is this all;—Men talk, as if an earthquake
Had over thrown some houses.—

And.
'T'as yet left
The Pallace standing;—Have you more?—

Ste.
The Statue
Of your St. Paul, drops tears.—

And.
Meere change of weather;
Unless perhaps the general acclamations
May 've pierc'd its marble with a feeling sense
Of what we are—Tears are th'effect of joy,
As well as mourning;—But I thought my Stephanus,
Had had more wit, then to regard these fooleries;
They're natural; and ignorance of cause,
Must make 'um miracles;—He that regards
The crowing of a Hen; A Fox with young,
Hare, Cat or Weesel, crossing his way; A Snake
Dropt from the Tile; A black Dog at his dore,
A left hand Mag-pie, or a right hand Thunder;
Must never sleep—The very Peasant, now,
Can half look through 'um—And shall Empire fear 'um!

Ste.
Now how it joyes my Soul to see your Majesty
Thus your self still; And to confirm you so;
Let me once say, be safe;—I've charm'd the City
Into obedience; nor is there left
A head, or hand, that dare appear against you:
But though the flame be quencht, there may perhaps
Some brands lye smoaking;—To prevent the worst,
'Twere fit the Guards kept there;—Besides, 'tis good
To shew the Dog his whip.—

And.
My other self;
He embraces him:
Keep up thy wonted courage, and make the Empire
Confess, thou sav'dst it:—If you can look so low,
You'll find a nest of Slaves, that (like ill spirits)
Foretell the storm, themselves intend to move;
Let not a Mothers Son escape; These Villains
Are grown State-Mountebanks; Nothing can pass,
But they must raise some Observation,
Or use upon't—And the dull Beast conceives,
According to the colour of those rods,
They cast before 'um—Stephanus conceives me.

Ste.
I do—And shall not sleep 'till I have giv'n you
Some fair account.
Exit Stephanus.

And.
Farewel my worthy friend:
So—He stands single now—He'll fall the easier:
He's grown too stubborn for me; I dare n't displease him
For fear he take a pett, and fet up another,
Perhaps himself;—But I shall check him there;
He's only safe, that has nought left to fear.

Exit.

SCE. III.

Enter a Rabble of Citizens.
1. Cit.

Come neighbour, come—It is not to be endur'd.

2. Cit.

No Troth is it not—'Twould make
a Man a whore, to consider it seriously.

7. Cit.

I tould you this before—You might have harken'd to a fool.

3. Cit.

I neighbour, would you had:

5. Cit.

Hang would—Lets be doing:

6. Cit.

I but what neighbour? What?

4. Cit.

Any thing—Any thing—I am for any thing:

Omnes.

Liberty—Liberty—Liberty—

A Hollow.
1. Cit.

Why should this Andronicus Lord it over us any longer?

2. Cit.

He is a very Tyrant, that's certain.

5. Cit.

Troth all I got by his Government, is, that where
I had a little money before, now I have none at all.

6. Cit.

Nor I neither—The Devil might have danc'd in
my pock it this twelve-month, and not broke his shins against
one single cross:—Call you me this assisting?

5. Cit.

It seems Neighbour it is not altogether so plain
as you made it:

1. Cit.

What say you Gentlemen:—There's Isacius
Angelus—And as I have heard say, has as good a Title
to the Crown as another Man.

2. Cit.

Constantinus appointed us to have met him
her—'O my word they say he is a pretty Gentelman;

4. Cit.

I wonder they should stay so long.

6. Cit.

Tell me of none of your pretty Gentelmen;—I
am for Liberty.

Omnes.

Liberty—Liberty—Liberty:

A Hollow
1. Cit.

But hark you neighbours—We must have some
Government.

2. Cit.

Time enough to think of that hereafter;—Let's
destroy this first.

3. Cit.

What think you of Aristotocracy?

4. Cit.

No, no, no—Oligasky for my money.

5. Cit.

By your favour neighbour, I should think Demococracy.

6. Cit.

And with your favour too; why not Anarchy?

2. Cit.

Any thing, any thing, but what we are:

Omnes.

Liberty—Liberty—Liberty—

A Hollow
Enter Philo
Ph.

Save you Gent.—What's the business?—'Tis not
Midsomer Moon I hope?

3. Cit.

Suppose it be—What then?

Ph.

Nothing good Gent.—But if it be, I hope it will not last all the year.

2. Cit.

Then we shall have another in's room—But
what's that to you?

Ph.

Pray Gent.—you need not be so stout—I could
tell you news deserv'd a better face.

Omnes.

What's that? what's that?

Ph.

The Emperor has thought upon a device, that no
Freeman of Constantinople, shall ever want money, unless
it be his own fault;

5. Cit.

That would do well.

6. Cit.

Yes o'my conscience neighbour would it:

Omnes.

But how? But how?

Ph.

Do but acquiesce a while, and you'll quickly see;
—whereas if you disturb him in't, you spoil all; and
perhaps may repent it when 'tis too late:

2. Cit.

Acquiesce—That's the word—Huh!

5. Cit.

I neighbour I: Acquiesce:

3. Cit.

Troth he speaks reason:

4. Cit.

Marry does he:

5. Cit.

Our City Orator's but an Ass to him:

Ph.

What say you then Gentlemen?

2. Cit.

For my part (now) I'll live and die with him.

3. Cit.

And so will I—We may do worse:

Ph.

Yes—I dare trust 'um for the first (aside)

But what's the matter?—Has so good an Emperor but
two friends among you all?—Throw up your caps, and
away with't:

Omnes.

One and all—One and all—Long live Andronicus.

Ph.

He is beholding to you—And I'll let him know as
much:—Farewel good Gent.—'Twas a fare scape.

(aside
Exit Philo. Hollow.
Omnes.

Farewel, Farewel—Long live Andronicus.

1. Cit.

Come neighbours, come:—We had as good be
quiet—There will be faults while there are men.

3. Cit.

I, I,—Let's home—Let's home:—'Tis good
sleeping in a whole skin:

As they are going off, Enter Isa. Const.
Const.
Now Gent. I see you're men of your words:
'Tis but an easie risk, and all's our own.
Can you remember your old Emperor,
Or his late murder'd Son; and not acknowledge
The Heir—Th'undoubted Heir?—

1. Cit.
I neighbour I—'Twas this we came about.

2. Cit.
Where's that Rogue Philo? knock out's brains.

Omnes.
I, I, I, Where is he?—Where is he?

3. Cit.
We cannot for shame now, but proclaim him Emperor.

6. Cit.
Oh by any means:

Omnes.
Long live Isacius Emperor of Greece!

Isa.
It was so far (my friends and Countrymen)
From my desires, t'ave liv'd to see this day,
'Twas never in my thoughts—My privacy
Was all the Empire I or wisht, or dream't:
But since your joint unanimous consent
Has firm'd! that Title, which my birth right gave me;
I cannot but I must acknowledge it:

3. Cit.
What's that he says—Long live Isacius?

Omnes.
Long live the Emperor?

4. Cit.
Peace, hear him speak.

Isa.
'Tis not my business here to rip old sores,
Or to keepe ope those wounds; which let alone,
Would close themselves:—Yet since the readi'st way
To what we should be, is to know what we are;
Let me once ask you—What d'you call this place?
Greece, or her ruines?—You had once an Emperor,
A good one too, I mean Alexius:
I will not say who murder'd him—He had
A sister—I do not say she was poison'd:
You had good Laws:—Andronicus made more,
I would he had kept either:—I forbear
Conto, Mamalus, Cæsar, Basilius,
Lapardos, Ducas, and a 1000 more,
Some murder'd, others, their eies bor'd out—My way
Is not to speak against such as are absent:

Omnes.
Yes—Yes—Yes—Pray on:—Long live Isacius!

6. Cit.
Peace, hear him speak:

Isa.

7. Cit.
I, Here's one spoke like an Emperor.

Omnes.
Long Live Isacius.

3. Cit.

Come we lose time—Andronicus may chance
to give us the slip.

5. Cit.
But if we take him, we'll give it him.

Omnes.
Follow—Follow—Follow—Whoop!

Exeunt.

SCE. IV.

Enter Andronicus. Stephanus.
And.
But did he land again?—

Ste.
I'm certain of't:
I mist him narrowly—Perhaps he may
Have taken Sanctuary.

And.
Exit Ste.
Enter Philo.
Exit Ph.
He staggers, and falls into a chair.

Enter a Lute:—A Song.


Exit.

SCE. V.

Enter Citizens and Rabble.
Omnes.

Hollow.

1. Cit.

Where is this Traitor that murder'd the Emperor?

2. Cit.

Would I could light on him—I'd have a leg, or
an arm of him—He hang'd my Brother.

3. Cit.

If every one he has wrong'd have but a little, I
am sure a joint will not fall to your share.

4. Cit.

Come—Come—There will be enough for us
all—Would we had him, though I were bound to give
you mine:

5. Cit.

What had we best do neighbours?

3. Cit.

Smoak the Fox out of his hole:

2.

Set fire on the Palace:

4. Cit.

By no means Gent.—'Twill destroy a deal of
good pillage—That has done no hurt:

6. Cit.

No—No—No—Destroy all:—You'll ne're be
rid of the Wolves, till you cut down the woods.

1 Cit.

We had better sell 'um, and share the money:

6. Cit.

'Twill be too long a doing, & others may get in:

Enter Philo.
1. Cit.

See Neighbours! see! Who comes here?

2. Cit.

Even the very Rogue that first betraid us.

3. Cit.

Down with him:

4. Cit.

Stand:

5. Cit.

Knock him down first.

Ph.

Good Gentelmen—But hear me—

3. Cit.

No—No—No—Hear him?—That were a
trick indeed:

They Knock him down.
2. Cit.

So farewell him—I have a boy at home will
cry for him I'm sure of't.

5. Cit.

Upon my conscience Neighbour, but my Wife
will do the same.

6. Cit.

Hang him—Hang him—We lose time:—
Lets about our work.—

Hollow. Exeunt.

SCE. VI.

Enter Andronicus with his Sword drawn and a Servant.
And.
Ha! Philo dead! These Devils are every where
Thou shalt not fall alone—What was you saying?

Ser.
Another Rout has seiz'd St. Sophy's Temple.

And.
Who heads 'um?—

Ser.
Constantinus; Who has taken
Isacius Angelus, and proclam'd him Emperor:
And to them Stephanus, with all his Guards,
Is since revolted.

And.
Then, Farewel my hopes;
But I am still Andronicus:—Leave me:
Exit servant.
And is your Anger such, ye Powers? And can
What's least above stoop to contest with Man?
Did ye of brittle clay his Fabrick roar
Only to dash't in pieces? Bad ye him hear
His Maker's Image in his brow, to shew
Ye reign'd above, he, a small Jove below?
Only to shew him happiness; And yet,
Streight snatch it from him, or tumble him, from it;
Had I submitted to a general fate,
It had been nothing—Had I seen my State,
And Empire sunk before me, I had gon
Contentedly—But to fall alone,
Thus timely lost—What boot's it to complain
Give me one Battel—Heav'n!—Be Heav'n again;
One Battel—And let me perish.—

Enter 3 or 4 of the rabble.
1. Cit.
Here he is:—Follow—Follow—Follow—

And.
Villians.

2. Cit.
Stand.

He kills 2 or 3—The nest run—By another door Enter Servant.
And.
Lye thou

Ser.
I'm sorry I came so late:—Please you great Sir
Retire a while, until the storm be past:
Your name's too great in Arms to have it call'd
A cowardly flight?—Then fall not out of season;
Reserve your self for, better times—I have
A Gally waits your Majesty:

And.
Now Heav'n reward thy honesty—Lead on:
—I know the worst;
Foolish despair, is but occasion lost.

Exeunt.

SCE. VII.

Enter Constantinus. Isacius and Citizens.
Con.
Not find him yet!—I warrant you we have him:
Stop all the passages, and desire Stephanus
To draw down with his Guards.—

6. Cit.
All but that last,
Is done already:—I'll about it straight.

Exit.
Const.
How!—Philo slain!—He never did his Master
A truer service.

7. Cit.

And my good neighbours, Ambrose and Gregory;
—Alack, Alas!—Nothing contain in this life—To
day a Man, tomorrow a Cuckold the next day dead:

3. Cit.

Come—Come—Let's carry them off—But for
that Rogue—Let him ev'n lie—He was a pestilent villain:

4. Cit.
Are you sure he is dead?—Does not the Rogue counterfeit?

5. Cit.
'Twill do no hurt to see;

3. Cit.
For the more certainty—
stabs him again
'Tis good to be sure.

5. Cit.

Well done neighbour—You're in my mind;—
I scarcely believe a man dead, as long as his head's upon
his shoulders.

Exeunt.

SCE. VIII.

Enter Manuel solus.
Man.
'Twould be some comfort yet I could but hear
My Father 'scap'd their hands—I'm half afraid
He scorn'd to step aside;—Ha!—What's here?
Alas poor Philo!—Dead!—Now I perceive
Thou hadst some honesty, thou lov'dst thy Master;
'Twas more than I expected—What's this world,
And all its greatness?—It has rais'd up some,
But ruin'd more; And even those, whom't has
Most rais'd, 't'as ruin'd most;—What's all this toil,
And blind pursuit? But like our childrens following
A Butterfly; sometimes they cannot reach it,
Sometimes, o'rerun it; sometimes, think they hav't;
But it slips through their fingers; And at last,
When after all their offers, turns, and falls,
They've taken it, What is't? (Alas poor fools!)
Nothing but painted wings:—'Tis not my late
Experience taught me this, I ever found it:
Who could imagine to have seen my Father,
So late the peoples darling; now, their hate?
But yesterday, an Empire at his beck;
Now, scarce a hole to put his head:—'Twas Heav'n,
And I submit:—But yet, it lessens not
Their crime, that were the cause:—There's Stephanus,
False Stephanus, a Traitor to both Masters;
Were he my Enemy, 't had n't troubled me;
Enter Steph.
Nay—I'd forgiv'n him—But my friend:—'Tis hard:
See!—Here he comes;—Now Heaven forgive me:
I had a Father, till his treacherous Faith
Bereav'd me of him;—Father—Me thinks the word,
Prompts me to something:—

Ste.
My good Lord!—Be safe;
Safe, as your Vertue merits:—

Man.
What hast thou
To do with vertue?—I ne're suspected her,
Until I found her in thy mouth:—There—

He strikes off Steph.'s hat.
Ste.
Ha!—Has your folly made you desperate?
Now would thy Father, and his daring soul,
Perch'd on thy point:—

They draw.
Man.
The justice of my cause
May be enough to do thy work;—My sword
In a childs hand, inform'd by that, with ease
Would reach thy treacherous heart:—Words trifle time,
Defend your self:—

They fight, and after some small time enter Constantinus.
Const.
Hold—Stephanus—Hold—Nay good my Lord
Let me entreat you:—

Stephanus falls.
Ste.
How am I lost in sight of land? and all
My tow'ring hopes sunk with me—Heav'n is just;
I would—But cannot:—

Dies.
Man.
So may all treachery succeed—And if
T'ave been my own Justicier be a Crime;
Forgive me—I had no other way—His Treason,
Had lost its name, and in the worlds Ethicks,
Has past for Vertue else;—

Const.
Alas my Lord;
'Twas an unfortunate action—But since
'Tis done—Preserve your self—Pray, good my Lord,
Withdraw a while; nor let your vertue fall
A prey, unto the rabble;—

Man.
I alwaies scorn'd 'um,
And shall not now, by shewing of my back,
Make 'um believe, I fear 'um:—

Const.
VVhat's your courage
Against their numbers?—Good my Lord withdraw;
Venture not Gold, to Dirt—Pray give me leave;
calls a servant.
Come hither—Attend my Lord, and see him safe
VVithin my doors—I'll wait on you presently:

Enter another.
Serv.
My Lord—Andronicus—

Const.
VVell—What of him?

Serv.
Had put to Sea, and was now well nigh reach'd
The other shoar—VVhen of a sudden, The winds,
And seas as conscious whom they wafted o're,
Checkt his full speed, and beat him back again;
Yet he put out a second, and third time;
But all in vain—The face of Heav'n was sully'd,
The winds broke loose, and club'd into a storm;
Till the poor Gally (having lost her Rudder,
Her Oars unserviceable, and her Masts,
Spent by the board) came rowling on the back
Of an impetuous wave, and drove on shore;
VVhere he soon met a storm indeed—The people
Having by this time utterly defac'd
VVhatever bore his name, or memory;
Fell foul of him—Or rather He, of them;
Had you but seen the hubbub!—One twicks his beard;
Another, beats out an Eie; A third, a Tooth;
A forth cuts off a Hand;—No cruelty
He e'r commanded, but was there agen
Epitomis'd on himself; And when at last,
Their tyr'd invention could inflict no longer;
Laden with dirt, and obloquies, and crown'd
With Garlick, they set him on a scabbed Camel,
And in that odd procession, led him to
The common Gallows, where they hang up that little.
They'd left of him;—So fell Andronicus.

Const.
May the same Fate ever attend Rebellion,
And usurpation;—And let the world,
Hence learn, on what a ticklish point they stand,
Whose unjust actions; and borrow'd greatness,
(How speciously soever colour'd o're)
Have no foundation, but what's built upon
The peoples favour;—The uncertain people,
Constant to nothing, but inconstancie;
Prove to affect, but without judgement still;
Hot headed—Envious—Suspicious,
Yet credulous;—Frame whimsies to themselves,
And after fear 'um;—Now set up one, then t'other;
But deal with all, as Children with their Dirt-pies,
First raise, then pash 'um out:

Enter Isacius.
Isa.
My Lord, you hear the news of Andronicus?

Const.
Yes;—And may Treason never prosper better;

Isa.
But I admire we hear nothing of Manuel.

Const.
He's fafe;—And now, an object of your mercy.

Isa.
For why my Lord? Is vertue grown a Crime:

Const.

Behold (He shewes him Steph.)
I'll let you know
the rest within;

But must assure your Majesty at present,
'Twas fairly don.—

Isa.
Shall my first letters then
Be writ in blood!—Howe're—I pardon him.
It is enough to me, he durst be vertuous,
When Cæsar (and that Cæsar, his Father too)
Was otherwise:—Bid him from me be safe.

Const.
I thank your Majesty:—

Isa.
But now my Lord,
I must desire you look into the City;
The people (like the Sea) keep rouling still,
Although the winds that rais'd 'um first be laid:
If they continue longer, there'll be nothing
Left 'um to spoil; and then perhaps they may
Consider, and repent.—

Const.
I'll streight about it:
They have been up too long:—'Twere to be wisht
This Beast the people, either never knew
Their strength, or alwaies knew, to use it right.

Isa.
You may go farther, and as you see cause
Proclaim a general pardon; The more I spare,
The more are left me to adorn my Trophy:
Promise 'um better daies, and let 'um know
That though we're not in Plato's Common wealth,
To have what e'r's amiss at once remedy'd;
Yet the first stone is laid; And I dispair not,
A hopeful superstructure—Rest, and time,
Will make our troubled waters clear again;
For what remains, a gentle hand will do't:
Harsh, cruel Empires (like acute diseases)
Are rather sharp, than lasting;—That must dure,
Where subjects, not their Prince, but for him, fear.

Exeunt Omnes.