 | The Tragedie of Hero and Leander |  |
18
The Third Act.
Enter Castor and Stredon At Abydos.Cast.
Stredon, Have you got Oile?
Stre.
Pure, as Rock-water.
Cast.
Why, then all's ready; when Leander comes,
He'l soon be bath'd and noynted; then he'l swim:
I told Celena of her Brother's purpose.
Stre.
Did it not startle her?
Cast.
No more then us:
I do not think, that in so soft a Beauty,
The World has ever known a braver Spirit:
She said, a Man, might almost shoot an Arrow
Over the Hellespont, and he that fear'd
To swim that Sea, deserv'd not a fair Bride.
Stre.
What said she, to our beating of the Greeks?
Cast.
Look here, boy; with this Gold she greets us well.
Stre.
A gracious Princess, let me kiss her Bounty.
[they share.
Did she not question thee about Theamne?
Enter Celena.
Cast.
Yes, here she's coming to examine thee.
Cele.
Stredon, your Master tels me, that Orosis
From Sestos brings a Beauty.
Stre.
But your Highness,
I never saw a sweeter, I have done
My Duty in my Answer, give me leave,
To pay it, in my Thanks, for your great Bounty
Cele.
Stredon, from Sestos you bring handsom Language:
How long are they in landing, call for Lights,
I'l walk and meet'em.
Cast.
Here's that trouble sav'd.
Enter Leander, Theamne and Orosis; Sea-men attending with Torches.
Lean.
Celena, a new Sister I present.
Cele.
Madam, we Asians cannot complement;
19
Then Greece her self hath Language to express.
Thea.
Sister, your Aucestors did once enjoy,
A Crown in Asia; then, Greece Conquer'd Troy;
But to you Trojans now We Grecians yield;
The Court is Yours: Your Brothers have the Field.
Cele.
I hear, they fought your Guards.
Thea.
Our Pikes, (that strove
To close, and had your Sea-men in their Grove)
Leander with so brave a courage Charg'd,
That by their flight the Pris'ners were inlarg'd:
Thorough our Bows Orosis made his way,
And wounding Arcas, won me, and the Day:
For th'Archers of my Guard, which Arcas led,
Fought whilst he stood; but when he fell, they fled.
Lean.
We exerciz'd our men in that Land-Skirmish,
But 'tis at Sea; the Battail must be fought:
Send out a Pinnace to call-in our Fleet,
For, Brother, if the Wind should chop about,
Mentor will land at Sestos; of himself
He's not inclin'd to fury, but when there
He finds his Friends Inflam'd, his Mistress Lost;
Sure 'twill inrage him so, as to declare
A Naval War against us: All's at stake.
Oros.
Swim you to Sestos, when you land again,
Your Fleet shall ride before the Fort: 'Tis late,
The Starry Wain now wheels about the Pole,
And drowsy Midnight steals upon our eyes.
Lean.
I see, Orosis, you would be a Bed,
And time it is that I should bathe and noynt.
To put my self into a swimming posture:
Rest to you all.
Thea.
A Calm Sea to Leander.
Lean.
You Sea-gods, that still swim th'Hellespont,
If you take my Attempt for an Affront,
That merits death; Yet make me not a Wrack
As I go, drown me at my comming back.
[Exeunt.
Enter Tiresias, Aphila, Nurse, and attendants At Sestos.
Nurse.
Now Arcas and Samertes are aboard,
Sure Mentor will not listen to a Treaty?
Aphi.
That was not in debate, his Servant said,
20
Nurse.
But the Vice-Admiral, that damn'd old Poet,
(Who has with Poetry infected Mentor)
Musæus, Voted for a Peace.
Tire.
Fie, no;
He did not move for mercy to the Princes,
But to their City.
[Trumpets sound.
Nurse.
These are Mentor's Trumpets.
Aphi.
My Lord, let's meet your Friend, the Admiral.
[Exeunt.
Enter Mentor, Musæus, Arcas, Samertes, and Souldiers with Torches.
Ment.
Enough, Musæus.
Musæ.
Mentor, I conclude:
Punish not, for a Few, a Multitude.
The guilty Brothers only have conspir'd,
Why should a Town that's Innocent, be fir'd?
Ment.
In publick Ruines, who must be involv'd,
Let Fate determine; but the War's resolv'd.
Arcas.
My Wound will then be heal'd: No Balm so good
For a hurt-man, as the Assailant's blood.
Same.
Sestos, for thy Affront, Abydos shall,
In Ashes mourn at her Lord's Funeral.
Ment.
The Brothers are not to be slighted so,
By Us, who their Undaunted Spirits know;
Orosis in the Isthmian Games foil'd me,
And Arcas, at this Feast, he wounded thee,
Leander did your Sestian Gallies beat,
And from my Fleet he made a brave Retreat.
Same.
Yet, you have conquer'd braver Men by far.
Ment.
Ere th'Hour-glass run, I hope to end this War.
Enter Tiresias, Aphila, and attendants.
Tire.
Great Mentor's Pow'r is equal to his Will.
Ment.
Friend; Father: Mother, so I'l call you still,
Though of your Daughter I am robb'd by one,
The Hellespont and the Winds fawn'd upon,
Using me worse then Zerxes, when they broke
His bridge of Boats; but this shall not provoke
Mentor to his proud Rage; he chain'd your Waves,
And whipt your Winds as if they'd been his Slaves.
I'l make them help to play my After-game,
And pay these Princes the just Debt of shame.
21
And Death, great Mentor, Death; my Lord and I
Live but in hope to see those Pirates dy.
Ment.
The Storm was tedious; Yet I'l not repose,
Nor rest my Men, till I attacque our Foes:
Friend sleep secure, Madam, do you so too;
And when our Enemies believe, they do:
We'l pou'r in to Abydos; and bear down,
Like a wild Sea-breach, both the Tow'r and Town.
[Exeunt.
Enter Hero and Nurse. The Torch Flaming upon Hero's Tow'r.
Nurse.
'Tis midnight, but noon day looks not more clear,
What, in the name of Venus, should you fear?
Hero.
That 'twill grow dark, and then, dear Nurse, I doubt,
That some ill Fortune may the Torch put out.
Nurse.
Put out the Torch? You may suspect as soon,
That some ill Fortune should put out the Moon:
See, the Torch, sparkling, does good luck betide,
There's a great Stranger coming to the Bride.
Hero.
Where?
Nurse.
Yonder; where these glittering Billows heave,
Leander's neck and arm you may perceive.
Hero.
That? That's a Dolphin, but she does not bear
Leander on her back.
Nurse.
But look you there,
She Ushers to your bed the Man of Men,
Hero.
Nurse, I'm afraid, that you are wrong agen.
Nurse.
Child, take my Spectacles, to help your sight.
Hero.
Now, now I see him.
Nurse.
Now who's i'the right?
Hero.
I look'd to Sea-ward, and he's near the Shoar:
See, see; Leander's Pilot, Ship, and Oar.
Nurse.
The Sail, his Vest, is Brail'd: anon 'twill spread,
But now it makes a Turbant for his head.
Hero.
How I did long to see him! Is't not strange,
Wishes, like Winds, should in a moment change?
He comes, and now I long to have him gone:
O Nurse! a Man I dread to think upon:
My trembling heart-strings are upon the rack:
Go, and make some Excuse, to turn him back.
Nurse.
No need of an Excuse; I'l carry word
That Mentor's Landed, and with Fire and Sword,
Means to destroy Abydos, before day,
22
Hero.
Pry thee stay:
Think'st thou, Leander (under whose command
Abydos prospers both by Sea and Land)
Would leave his Brother; his own Sister, mine,
The Town too, unsecur'd?
Nurse.
'Tis very Fine;
You know not your own mind: Say, I, or No:
What shall I do? Will y'have me stay, or go?
Hero.
Go, by all means, and tell Leander—
Nurse.
What?
Hero.
Give me a little time, to think of that.
Nurse.
Ha, ha; to stop him you have no more power,
Then I have strength, Child, to remove your Tower,
Whose very Stones will not obstruct his way.
Enter Leander, in his Vest and Night-Cap.
Go, let me hear, what you your self will say.
Hero.
If I could go, as fast as You have Swum,
At that rate to Leander I would come.
Lean.
Come not too near; to touch my Sacred Bride,
Would be Profane, till I am Purify'd;
Of Oyle I smell.
Nurse.
That smell will be consum'd
In my Rose-Bath; go, bathe, and be perfum'd,
Hero.
Step into that warm Bath; the Cold, I fear
Has pierc'd you.
Lean.
No; it met a Furnace here:
[he points to his Breast.
The water was but Fuel to my Fire;
Still as I lower div'd, my Flame grew higher.
Nurse.
Neither cold-Water, nor cold Fear, can daunt
Leander's heart; yet swimming makes it pant.
Hero.
My Love, you are sore toil'd; I did mistake,
Your blood inflam'd, does that high Colour make;
Bathe, put your self into a kindly heat,
And then, into my Bosome drop your Sweat.
[Exeunt.
Enter Orosis, and Theamne, making her self ready At Abydos.
[the Drums beat.
Thea.
Why beat the Drums?
Oros.
Our Fleet, sail'd into Port,
Salute our Souldiers in the Cittadel.
23
Then might not You have rested for one hour?
Oros.
Dear, every minute (now the Wind serves) Mentor
May Land; I go to Sea, to stop him there:
But pray, go You to Bed again; preserve
Your pretious Health, with your accustom'd Sleep.
Thea.
No, my Orosis, when I Marry'd You,
My Fortune Marry'd Yours, if you must fight,
I must not sleep; Celena's making ready,
Your Sister goes, What ought Your Wife to do?
Fate's not more fixt then my Resolve: We'l live
Happily, or else nobly dye, together;
Oros.
Incomparable—What's this noise? Who's there?
Stredon? the Newes?
Stre.
Death: Mentor's at your Gates:
Struck with the terrour of his dreadfull Name,
The Garrison, basely to save their Lives,
Threw down their Arms, the safe-Guard of Your Life:
Castor is still a Pris'ner, I escap'd,
By Virtue of some Gold: that brib'd my keeper;
To Mentor I heard fierce Samertes say,
Upon the sleeping Bride-groom let us steal;
This Slave shall be our Guide (pointing to Castor;)
And in the hot blood of the Ravisher
VVe'l purify my Sister.
[Exit Stredon.
Oros.
Then it seems
They think, I sleep, but they shall find, I wake.
Thea.
Draw not your Sword, but follow my advice:
Theamne whispers with Orosis.
They come, play but Your Part, as I'l act Mine;
And with our Plot we'l counter theirs: Kneel down.
Enter Mentor, Musæus, Samertes, Arcas, Castor, and Souldiers; Orosis Kneels to Theamne.
Same.
The Villain kneels to her.
Ment.
Let's hear his Prayer,
He would not kneel, were not her Fame unblemish'd.
Oros.
Humbly I beg, that which I may command:
At Your feet, I confess, my fault was great,
To rob Your Parents of You, but I Use
No other Violence; You see, my End
Is Fair and Chast, as she, at whom I aim.
Ment.
An Enemy so generous I forgive.
Same.
But You'l revenge me?
Oros.
VVill you not Vouchsafe
Some Love, Some Pitty, to a tortur'd Heart?
24
Love? Pitty? What? To one that durst invade,
My Sacred Father's Promise; and steal me
Out of a Town, which my dear Brother Governs?
Oros.
Your Brother has so great a Souldier's name;
That 'twill be no dishonour to a Souldier,
Who asks his Pardon, for the Crime of Love,
Which Men commit, forc'd by the Powers above.
Same.
Submission wins me.
Arcas.
I'l have Blood, for Blood.
Oros.
As for the Blood, I drew from noble Arcas,
I'l pay him twice as much, when he'l command,
The Service of my Sword.
Arcas.
Thou shalt not bleed.
Oros.
Arcas! Samertes here! and Mighty Mentor!
Can Mentor pitch his Toil'es to take a Man?
Ment.
You are a Beast of Prey; Resist, and dye;
Yield your Arms, and expect a legal Trial.
Oros.
Before what Judge?
Ment.
The Civil Magistrate.
Oros.
No, I'l dye here.
Ment.
Sentence, shall neither pass
From him, nor us; Theamne only knows
Your Crim's extent, and she shall sentence you,
Upon the place, where you assaulted her.
Oros.
Fatall necessity must be obey'd.
Madam, I am your Pris'ner.
Thea.
Souldiers, keep
That Pirate safe, till I pronounce his doom.
Same.
Great Mentor, from my hand accept this Virgin,
Ment.
Nature did never make a fairer Jewel,
What Value I have for her—
Thea.
You express'd
By giving me that Slave; add, if you please
His Sister.
Ment.
She's yours; What else do y'desire?
Thea.
A little Sleep, after my frightful Watching.
Ment.
Retire into my Cabin.
Thea.
Sir, no Rest
Can close my eyes, till they behold my Parents.
Musæ.
She loves not Mentor; if I take right measures.
Ment.
Captain, at Sestos Land my Love, I'l follow,
Exeunt Captain and Theamne.
When we have finish'd here: Slave, Where's Leander.
Cast.
He's at Sea.
Same.
VVhere's his Sister?
25
You'l find her
In her Bed-chamber, the next Room.
Same.
Go in.
[Exeunt all but Castor.
Cast.
They mind not me; in some blind hole I'l mourn;
But you Greek-Dogs, Leander will return.
[Exit
Enter Mentor, Musæus, Samertes, Arcas and Souldiers, Celena upon her bed the Curtaines drawn close.
Ment.
Celena's in her Bed?
Same.
I'l draw the Curtains.
Ment.
Hold, hold Samertes; she may be a sleep.
Same.
And would you wait the waking of a Slave?
[he draws the Curtaines open.
Just heav'n! I see the Goddess, I blasphem'd.
Arcas.
What Goddess? let me see her, for I know
All Goddesses, Cast, Graven, Carv'd, and Painted:
Save your self, Admiral, Your flight's no shame,
VVhen I fly, VVho come arm'd with Hero's Love.
Ment.
So, a rash Charge ends in a Panick Fear;
When Conduct (slow, but safe) brings up the Reer,
Arcas.
The little Archer may surprize great Mentor.
Cele.
Great Mentor! Is there any here so stly'd?
Ment.
Yes, Madam; I am Mentor.
Cele.
The Plate-Graver?
Ment.
The Admiral of Athens.
Cele.
Other Thieves
Rob Towns, and Houses, but thou steal'st a Title.
Musæ.
She'l talk you out of your own name, reply.
Ment.
Her Eyes, like Remoras, have stopt my Tongue,
VVhen it was under Sail:
Musæus, speak.
Musæ.
Madam, the—the—
Arcas.
I Vow the Poet's out.
Musæ.
Th'Admiral suffers an abortive Scorn,
The Mother's shame, which dyes, as soon as born:
As Clouds the Sun, that Name you darken here,
VVhich over all th'unclouded VVorld shines clear:
Mentor's Sea-Victory, the naked things
Of India, and the painted Briton Sings;
Only sad Persia, the Memorial keeps,
Of her Defeat, and at his Triumph weeps.
Cele.
How will the Persian's Spleen break through his Tears,
Into a flux of Laughter, when he hears,
26
Sail'd to surprize a Lady in her Bed?
Ment.
Silence, and seize her.
Arcas.
Do not, on your Lives.
Same.
Touch her, and I'l cut off the sawcy hand.
Ment.
Disarm them.
Cele.
Civill Gentlemen I beg,
Before you take th'use of my hands away,
That I may drink this Cordial,
Ment.
Break the Glass,
'Tis Poyson, carry her and them aboard:
Exeunt Souldiers with Same. Arcas and Celena.
Musæ.
To Mentor may I speak!
Ment.
Not for the Pris'ners.
Musæ.
Not for Celena? (come Sir, you'l not find,
Though I have hood-winkt them, that I am blind:)
I know you love Her.
Ment.
Oh, you think but so?
All Poets have one Fault; they think they know.
Musæ.
You do not Love Theamne, I'm assur'd,
Or else her Brother had not been secur'd.
Ment.
Vice-Admiral, You must have deeper Line,
To sink the Plummet, that sounds my Design.
Musæ.
Farewell, for I perceive, that you intend
At once to change your Mistress, and your Friend.
Ment.
Friend, dearest Friend, Divine Musæus, Stay:
Thou know'st my breast; VVould thy Sword knew the way
Into my Heart; My base false heart 'tis now;
'Twas faithful: O Musæus, VVilt not thou
Remember all that's Good, and nothing Ill,
VVhen thou dost write my Epitaph?
Musæ.
I VVill,
[Mentor offers to fall on his own Sword.
If I out—live you—but dye fairly then;
VVho takes his own Life, merits not my Pen:
How can I write Conquerour, on his Grave,
VVho staines his Laurel, and dyes Passion's Slave?
Ment.
Justice condemns me: He that lives to wron
His Mistress, and his Friends, has liv'd too long.
Musæ.
But our Lives have determin'd Periods?
And he that's his own Murd'rer, wrongs the Gods:
The Friends, whom you disarm'd, are injur'd Men:
Restore their Arms, and they'l be friends agen.
Ment.
How can Theamne be repair'd?
Musæ.
If She
Love you (but saith, that's more then I can see)
27
To love another, is, to do her right.
Ment.
Celena will so false a man abhor.
Musæ.
Yet a great Man, and a great Conquerour;
And if you cannot a soft Maid subdue,
I'l say, that Art fails me; and Fortune You.
[Exeunt.
| The Tragedie of Hero and Leander | |